I’m writing my post for TWD a week ahead of time. It will be fun to see how this goes. I’ve never written a post to publish at such a later date (I know, get with the times, Katrina.) I made the vanilla cakes a good week before our move because I knew it probably wouldn’t be able to be done otherwise. And I wanted to share some last goodies with my Reality Sisters. I took the Dressy Chocolate Cake from last week and the Vanilla Cake over the same night.
In “my” world, chocolate wins every time. And while last week's cake that I made with caramel and pecans was really good (I only ate a few bites of it!), hands down all my friends LOVED the vanilla cake. It was the clear winner of the night.
One of my favorite TWD bloggers, Wendy at Pink Stripes chose the Rum-Drenched Vanilla Cakes on page 226 in Baking From My Home To Yours. The unique thing about this cake is that it uses vanilla bean, which is rubbed into the sugar. That’s always fun! I halved the recipe and only made one loaf cake and I omitted the rum syrup. Other than that, I followed the recipe exactly. Instead of the syrup, I sprinkled turbinado sugar over the batter before baking the cake.
I baked the loaf cake for 45 minutes. It sunk a bit in the middle.
I realized something, but shh, don’t tell the world, I don’t really love vanilla bean. I say that ever so quietly, because I know everyone seems to love it and I might get flogged or something. I don’t know what it is, it just tastes a little strange to me. Like I said, my friends LOVED it.
I served it with some fresh raspberries and blueberries and some whipped cream. It was just okay to me. I’m telling you, it a chocolate thing. I enjoyed the sugary crunch on the top. I kind of think I also have a hard time eating something that is technically well, so fattening when I’m not thinking it’s so heavenly. I like to save my calories for just the things I’ll love. That’s sensible. I was totally happy to share this cake with people who really appreciated and enjoyed it. So thanks to Wendy for picking this cake. Check out Wendy’s blog this week for the recipe.
Wendy will have the recipe on her blog. You can always head over to Tuesday's With Dorie and check out more vanilla cake!
27 comments:
How's the mooving going? Are at your new place already? Hope everything is going smoothly. As for the cake I'm amazed how you managed to keep yourself from adding chocolate chip os a chocolate glaze to this one ;)
Will you look at the vanilla beans in that last picture?! You must have a sweet lens, girl. Awesome. Can't wait to see pictures of your new kitchen once you get settled.
I know what you mean about missing the chocolate. At least you got to have fun rubbing vanilla bean into sugar! I love doing that too, though I usually do it with lemon zest. I haven't had vanilla beans in the house in I don't know how long.
I went the berries and cream route as well...I think it has something to do with guys...if you put berries and cream on anything, it will get eaten quickly! Yours looks wonderful. I have mastered the art of posting for a later date, but just today I set up Voice Mail and feel really empowered technically now...LOL! July 1st the swim recruiters can start calling Matt for college recruiting and I definitely don't want to be answering all those calls when he is not here...voila, Voice Mail, who knew??? Actually I knew but never relished the thought of having to make lots of return calls. Welcome to the 21st Century...I barely made it into the 20th before they went and switched it on me. Eager to hear about your move, etc. Your cake looks fabulous.
I'm going to use mine for strawberry shortcake.
Not a fan of vanilla bean?? Well, nexct time I will take the vanilla bean cake off your hands! :) It looks AMAZING!!!! Hope the move is going well! Can't wait to hear all the details! xoxo
Your cake look wonderful with all those flecks of vanilla bean!
It looks great Katrina, especially with all the berries. I'll take a vanilla bean over chocolate any day!
looks yummy! BTW welcome to Utah!
Looks good. I love the vanilla beans in it!
My kids are with you. Though they loved this cake, next time they want me to add chocolate chips.
Great post. Hope the move is going slowly.
Well now you know what to serve other people when you don't want to be tempted!
It looks DIVINE!
Great cake. I'm looking forward to pics from your new home, hope the move is going well.
Mimi
look at all those vanilla bean specks! you couldn't really see mine very well. i like vanilla but don't love it like everyone else does - it's ok :)
thanks for voting for my baby girl :) would totally love it if you continued to vote daily til Sunday! :)
love the looks of it with fruit and whipped cream. not one of my favs but a pretty decent cake
Katrina,
Welcome to the "Totally Worth the Calories," club. Yep, that is how I delineate between treats and priorities. he he You are my kind of treat eater. I did love this one, but duh, love my choco too. Maybe even more if its dark. he he I love that you used fruit and cream on top. Very nice. Hope your move is going well. Good luck and take care.
THIS was a good cake. Sorry it wasn't a BIG hit, but chocolate does have it's enticing ways.
Have you settled in yet?
Katrina..you always take these TWD challenges to such yummy directions. This cake looks and sounds delicious and your photo of it is just mouth watering! Hope the move went smoothly!
Not like vanilla beans??? Well, I guess that leaves more for me. And in return, you can have all the coconut. Good trade?
I'll take your vanilla beans!! Your cake looks gorgeous and very yummy with the berries. Thanks for baking with me.
Uh oh, I'm totally reporting you to the Vanilla Bean Mafia, they won't be pleased to hear this. I'm a bean lovah and that last picture, with all the little bean specks, looks heavenly to me. Sorry you didn't love it, but at least your friends did!
Are you all moved now? We're moving in a month and it's the biggest move I've ever done. I'm freaked out already!
This looks heavenly!! As a vanilla bean lover, that last pic was oure torture. Send your beans over to me :P :P
This looks heavenly!! As a vanilla bean lover, that last pic was oure torture. Send your beans over to me :P :P
Well, since you love chocolate, we'll let you off on the vanilla bean infraction. I love the addition of turbinado sugar...I bet it made this delightfully crunchy. I hope your move is going well!
Hope you are getting all settled in your new place! Your pictures are wonderful...I could almost taste the berries!
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