Thursday, April 16, 2009

Travel Temptations



The toughest part about traveling by air (aside from the friendly TSA inspections) is finding a way to get all your swag into your suitcase for the flight back home. On my recent trip I took a few small gifts for my family, but once I handed them out, that didn't really free up a lot of room in my luggage.

I was OK when we went to the thrift stores, buying only 2 small blog plates. Then we went to the kitchen store. Oh, sigh. As I wandered aisle after aisle of pots, pans, knives (carry on? I don't thinks so!), utensils, and gizmos, I had to keep repeating, like a mantra, "suitcase, suitcase." I was proud of myself for walking out with only a very small sack of things I really couldn't find elsewhere.

I thought I'd safely navigated the worst of the shopping temptations. Then my sister took me to her favorite got-to-know-it's-there-or-you'll-never-find-it store, the Baker's Cash & Carry. Very industrial looking. Nothing fancy. Just rows of plywood shelves holding bricks of chocolate, chunks of chocolate, chips of chocolate, and all types of chocolate for dipping, baking, and grazing. 2 lbs of white chocolate jumped into my basket. It really is hard to find here in bulk. And it was a great price, too. Am I justifying here? Quite possibly.

And then there were the shelves of cake making and decorating supplies. Cake pans in every size and shape imaginable. The packet of 8" pre-cut parchment paper rounds was thin and light, so I could easily pack that.



It was hard to resist all the tools and toys for making beautiful cakes. Fondant and tools for shaping and applying it. Every hue of food coloring gel under the rainbow. Luster dust, meringue powder, and beautiful sugar decorations. My eye was caught by the bright, springy sugar daffodils. I had to have them for my Easter cake. I bought two packets and carefully wrapped them and put them in my carry-on. Only one trumpet broke off, and that was easily glued back on with frosting.

With such bright yellow decorations, I had to have a lemon cake. And I found just the right one in Taste of Home. A lovely, lemony chiffon cake with a thick, luscious glaze. Perfect for Easter. Or anytime you have some new cake decorations to show off.

Lemon Chiffon Cake
- adapted from Taste of Home

7 eggs, separated
2 cups all-purpose flour
1-1/2 cups sugar
3 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup water
1/2 cup vegetable oil
4 teaspoons grated lemon peel
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon cream of tartar


LEMON FROSTING:
1/3 cup butter, softened
3 cups sugar
4-1/2 teaspoons grated lemon peel
Dash salt
1/4 cup lemon juice
Sugar decorations or candied lemon peel for garnish


1-Separate the eggs placing the whites into a large mixing bowl and the yolks in a smaller bowl. Let eggs stand at room temperature for 30 minutes.

2- Preheat the oven to 325 deg. F with a rack in the lowest position.

3- In a large bowl, combine the flour, sugar, baking powder and salt.

4-In another bowl, whisk the egg yolks, water, oil, lemon peel and vanilla; add to dry ingredients. Beat until well blended.

5- Beat egg whites and cream of tartar on medium speed until soft peaks form; fold into batter. Gently spoon into an ungreased 10-in. tube pan. Cut through batter with a knife to remove air pockets.

6- Bake for 50-55 minutes or until top springs back when lightly touched. Immediately invert the pan; cool completely, about 1 hour.

7- Run a knife around side and center tube of pan. Remove cake to a serving plate.

8- In a small bowl, combine frosting ingredients; beat until smooth. Spread over top of cake, allowing it to drizzle over the edge. Garnish with decorations or candied lemon peel.

Yield: 12-16 servings.

17 comments:

Cindy said...

Love Baker's Cash and Carry. My aunt made wedding cakes years ago; I often accompanied her to SLC to get cake supplies. That store hasn't changed in 40 years!!
There are always great 'finds' at BC&C! And your cake looks devine!

Anonymous said...

wow, i want to visit Baker's Cash and Carry! sounds like heaven, like the cake!

Johanna B said...

Look at all that lemony love...
My mouth is watering.

Aimée said...

I'm seeing lemon everywhere! Hooray for spring and hooray for those pretty daffodils.

Coco Bean said...

OH yes, I know the feeling! Every time I go to visit my parents I end up in these great baking stores... then comes the "you will never be able to bring all that back" from my mother that I have been hearing for years. But some how I always get it all back, determination to bake the perfect cake I guess.
Also that cake looks AMAZING, like out of a magazine. It also looks like it tastes delicious.

Megan said...

The next time I have a bunch of egg whites I will definitely try a chiffon cake. Especially lemon. It looks so spring-y and pretty!

Maria said...

Traveling can be a pain! The cake is lovely, perfect for Spring!!

Mermaid Sews said...

Beautiful cake - I do the shopping thing all the time, last time I went home I had to borrow an extra suitcase to come home.

Unknown said...

Oh...sounds like fun and the cake looks great!

Elyse said...

Having to fit everything in a suitcase is such a bummer! However, I think you made some great choices. This cake looks fabulous, by the way. Totally springy and delicious!

Melinda said...

hey...I know how to candy that lemon peel! lol
Absolutely going to make this cake. I will let you know how it turns out.
It looks delicious.

NKP said...

They are so beautiful and delicate. I wouldn't be able to stop myself from buying up the whole store.
Delicious looking cake - lemon is my favourite.

Karen Baking Soda said...

Gorgeous! I admire your mindset..

Unknown said...

hey there cookie baker lynn! First of all, I love your blog, and am glad you left a comment on mine so I could see your yummy treats and spectacular photography! Next, do I know you from some where or are you just a friendly passer-by? I noticed you are from bellevue but have family in utah. I have lived in utah all my life and have just moved to Olympia...do we have some connections somewhere?!?

Brilynn said...

I think I need to start traveling to where you go, then at least I can help carry back all the stuff we end up buying...

Elle said...

Lucky you getting to visit such great baking supply places! The lemon cake is so pretty and just perfect for spring.

LyB said...

Such a tall cake! And so pretty with those sunny decorations. Perfect for spring. :)