There’s something about the word cake. I love that word. When I hear “cake,” I may appear composed on the outside, but inside I have a response more akin to a werewolf. At first, I think, calmly, Cake. Then, in a singsong voice, Mmmmmmmm, cake! Left unchecked, it devolves into a primal growl, Caaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaake!! I don’t think I grow long fingernails and tufts of fur, but do (cake) werewolves ever really know?
The werewolf response is reserved for my ideal cake: tall, fluffy, tender, moist, with a thick layer of frosting or pudding in the middle, and another layer of frosting on top. Boston Cream pie. Tall and creamy Hummingbird cake. Chocolate Blackout cake.
Tea cakes are so dainty, they don’t qualify. That’s why I’ve relegated them to breakfast, where they’re perfect. This Swedish visiting cake deserves a prize for it’s many lovely tea cake qualities. First, it’s so easy to make, you can fit it in even on a busy morning. I made this while getting my kids ready for preschool (which is saying something during “Teacher Appreciation Week,” where I have to cajole the kids into making six, count ’em, six homemade cards). The cake is baked in a cast iron skillet and the results are delicious: lemony, almond-y, lightly crisp on the outside, soft and tender on the inside. This is my favorite tea cake from Dorie’s cookbook, hands down. And I assure you, when I eat tea cake, I’m very ladylike. 🙂
Thanks to Nancy of The Dogs Eat the Crumbs for selecting Swedish Visiting Cake. You can find the recipe on her site or on page 197 of Baking: From My Home to Yours.
I can see this tea cake in Little Red Riding Hood’s basket for grandma. I’m a little scared. Lovely cake!
Your cake looks so good. Im glad you enjoyed the recipe. It was so easy to make and so tasty! I will make this one again!
I’m a cake monster too, so I was so happy to make this! Yours looks fantastic, and like a mighty fine breakfast! Mine has been all 3 meals so far today:)
Cake is my favorite dessert, too. Your cake looks wonderful, and I’m glad that you enjoyed this treat!
I’m kind of disappointed that we didn’t get to see your inner cake werewolf for this recipe, but a delicious ladylike tea cake eater is a good substitute image. Glad it didn’t push you over the edge during TA week; I’m not sure I baked any cakes when my children were getting ready for school, especially preschool! Thanks for baking along with me this week.