Wednesday, June 24, 2009

Just in time for summer: apricot tea cakes


Enjoying some quiet time with Max. Be back soon. In the meantime, wanted to share part 3 of the design*sponge "In the Kitchen With" features. The piece came out the day Max was born. Thanks again Grace for having me! You can see the photos and a great recipe for an apricot tea cake on design*sponge here.

I'll also post the recipe below.


In addition, wanted to let you know that I am selling two sets of limited edition greeting cards. Both contain 12 folded cards (2 copies of six different images). The first set is a pairing of eggs and feathers from the bird that laid them (5x5). The second is a set of summer fruit images (5x7). Each set sells for $24. I am accepting pre-orders for the next two weeks. Please contact me if you are interested! See here for a larger view.

Note: My recipe calls for baking the cakes in disposable tartlet cups (approximately 4 inches in diameter and ¾ inch high). The cups are just the right size to ensure that the pretty fruit pokes out of the top at the end.

Apricot tea cakes (heavily adapted from Oven-Roasted Plum Cakes in Baking with Julia)
(makes approximately six cakes using cups described above)

1 stick unsalted butter, room temperature
2 Tbs light brown sugar
½ cup granulated sugar
2 large eggs
1 tsp minced lemon zest
½ tsp pure vanilla extract
¾ cup all purpose flour
¼ cup almond meal
¾ tsp baking soda
¼ cup buttermilk
3 ripe apricots, halved and pitted
Sanding or sparkling sugar (for dusting the tops)

Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees.

Using an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream butter and sugars at medium/medium-high speed until light and fluffy and sugar is dissolved. Beat in eggs, one at a time. Add lemon zest and vanilla and beat until incorporated. Reduce mixer speed to low and add in flours and baking soda until just combined, taking care not to over-mix. Add buttermilk. Stir a few times with a rubber spatula, scraping the sides and bottom of the bowl, to ensure all ingredients are well combined.

Place six tartlet cups on a baking sheet and fill half way with batter. Press an apricot half, cut side up, into the center of the cup. Sprinkle batter and fruit with sanding sugar. Bake for 25 minutes or until tops are golden brown and batter is just set (springs back to the touch). Enjoy with tea!

14 comments:

Dee Wilcox said...

Just thought I'd let you know I found you through Design*Sponge. I made this recipe tonight, and it was amazing! I had panettone baking cups, and the recipe made four rather than six little tartlets.

I couldn't find apricots, so I used donut peaches in two of them, and blueberries in the other. Also couldn't find dusting sugar, so I used powdered. Even with all my little adjustments, this was easy to make and absolutely delicious! Thanks for sharing!

Meeta K. Wolff said...

sabra wishing you all the fun with max! love apricots and i love them in teacakes. gorgeous pics!

Simones Kitchen said...

I just totally love that first image with the blue in the background and the gorgeous color of the apricots in the little bucket! Fantastic. I just checked out the recipe on design sponge as well and it sure looks like something worth trying.

LoriW said...

I just found your site last week through *design sponge* and LOVE your love of food. Your photography is just beautiful and your blog is a treasure. I'll be back everyday!
Congratulations on Max's arrival! Enjoy your quiet time together.

Ivy said...

I soooo love the ladder photo!

Julia @Mélanger said...

Lovely recipe. Great choice. The styling is beautiful, too. I really do love the simplicity of this recipe. Perfect!

Unknown said...

Just two words: LOVE IT!!

Kasey said...

Those tea cakes look simply divine. Congrats on your new arrival!

Gabrielle said...

Just checked in and discovered Max's arrival. Bienvenue Max! and congratulations to you and R. Wishing you all the best, mothering/cooking/photographing et al.

Salon de Sucre said...

I love this recipe!! I am so happy you're back!! how is little Max? hope everything is well!!

I loooove the photography and styling.. thanks alot for sharing!

Laura said...

Oh that looks fantastic! You've got me in the mood for afternoon tea and cake now...

Hannah_wolja said...

Great work!!!

S said...

hi sabra, how does one contact you? i couldnt find an email address on this site. many thanks.

Sabra said...

Hi SOS
There's a link to my email in the sidebar at the right, just under the DMBGLIT award badges.
-Sabra

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