Saturday, February 13, 2010

ROSE PETAL CAKE


What cake doesn't look pretty and romantic with rose petals scattered on top?

This cake has certainly brought out the mushy side in me this Valentine's weekend and it's all thanks to that "slight" obsession I have with anything flavored or scented with rose.

Over the winter holidays I was in London and brought some amazing things back with me, including the cocoa powder from Ladurée which I broke into in my last post. Fortnum and Mason is a place that never goes unvisited any time I'm in London. It was all taken for granted when I lived there but now it's a struggle limiting what I wish to purchase to what my suitcase can handle.

Along with countless tins of tea, another item I did manage to squeeze back was a gorgeous rose petal jelly preserve made from fresh rose petals. I've been desperate to use it in something other than spreading it on toast at any chance I get.

The preserve works perfectly in this cake. Its genuine rose flavor and delicate scent is very reminiscent to a Ladurée rose macaroon...can't complain about that!

White Cake: 
(makes 2 cake layers)
  • 1 cup milk 
  • 6 egg whites
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 2 1/4 cups cake flour
  • 1 3/4 cup sugar
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • Pinch of teaspoon salt
  • 3/4 cup softened butter
Buttercream:
  • 1 cup unsalted, softened butter (2 sticks)
  • 4-5 cups confectioners sugar
  • 1/2 cup milk
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 2-3 teaspoons rose syrup
  • Rose petal Jam (for spreading between cake layers)

Pre-heat oven to 350F.

Grease two 9 inch cake pans, line with parchment paper, grease again and dust with flour.

Combine the milk, egg whites and vanilla extract in a bowl, mix with a fork and set aside.

In another bowl, combine the flour, sugar, baking powder and salt. Mix together well (I sift mine a few times for a very light cake).

Add the butter and either with your hands or a paddle mixer combine the mixture until you have a crumb like texture.

Add all but 1/2 cup of the milk/egg mixture to the flour mixture and whisk on a medium speed for 1 1/2 minutes.

Add the remaining 1/2 cup of the milk/egg mixture and beat again for 30 seconds.


Divide the batter equally between the two cake pans and smooth the tops. Bake for 30-35 minutes at 350F.

Let the cakes cool in their pans for 15 minutes before moving them onto racks to cool fully.

For the buttercream, add the softened butter to a large bowl and whisk until smooth.

Then add the milk, vanilla extract and slowly add the confectioners sugar, whisking to create a smooth cream

Add the rose syrup and whisk again (This will color the cream pink).

To start assembling the cake, cut each 9 inch cake in half horizontally.

Spread the rose petal jelly on top of the first layer and spread a thin layer of the buttercream on top.

Spread the jelly on the bottom of the next cake piece, add this to the first cake piece and then spread the jelly on top, as well as the buttercream.

Repeat the same directions for the next two cake pieces.

Once the cake is assembled, begin to spread the butter-cream over the whole cake to cover it completely.


Sprinkle the cake with pink and red rose petals :)


55 comments:

  1. What a perfectly lovely cake for Valentine's Day! And the rose petal jelly is so unique - I've never seen anything like it before. I think you've given it a divine template in this cake (rather than plain toast). 8-)

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  2. Pretty cake indeed! :-) First time I see such a kind of cake recipe actually, you got me curious! Must try this mixing method out.

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  3. I just want to jump into this cake! What a perfect pink for the buttercream. It looks delicious!

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  4. What an elegant cake! I love all things that are made with roses. Perfect for valentine's day!

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  5. So pretty and perfect for Valentine's Day.

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  6. utterly beautiful :)

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  7. This is one of the prettiest cakes ever - I love the rose petals! Gorgeous :)

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  8. This looks awesome! I've had a jar of rose petal jelly in my cupboard since the summer. This would be the perfect way to finally use it up. So pretty with the petals on top too!

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  9. wow how roman tic . the recipe is really interesting!

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  10. This is lovely. I love the addition of the rose petals and jelly!

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  11. I love rose cake, and I LOVE FORTNUM and MASON - one of my favorite food shops ever. Every time I go to London I have to stop there. I have made more than a few friends bonding over that place.

    Your cake sounds delicious and its timing could not be better. I cannot find my recipe and I was just thinking about making that cake for a shower. Your a genius,

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  12. Fab cake and quite a lovely post. I love Fortnum & Mason, too; next time I'm lucky enough to end up there I will give a good long look at the preserves, a weakness of mine.

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  13. Your cake is so pretty! I love it!

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  14. Looks fab! Love that pink hue with rose petals afloat. A slice wud go down well...

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  15. Absolutely lovely looking! Did you pour a nice pink bubbly to go with it? Here's to your magnificent cake to celebrate Valentine's Day and every other special, romantic time. ;)

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  16. YUM YUM YUM!!!!
    I want some!
    The BEST recipe so far..........

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  17. Marvellous, thats an absolutely beautiful cake. I've been tempted to buy that rose petal jelly before, and now that i've seen this, i think im going to buy it next time i'm in fortunums.
    Hope you had a wonderful valentines.
    *kisses* HH

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  18. that cake is so beautiful- the lighting must have been perfect bec the photos look so soft and gorgeous. a labour of love, this cake, literally. x shayma

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  19. sounds delicious and it's also very pretty.

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  20. Oh how gorgeous! And I love the rose petal jelly, I want to get some now!

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  21. This look lovely! I can almost taste and smell it. I'll be on the lookout for some of that jelly. Yum!

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  22. That really is such a pretty and romantic cake! The rose petals are beautiful and perfect for V Day! Love the rose syrup and jelly you added, too. Really romantic. I love it all!

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  23. How beautiful! I love floral accents infused into confections and baked goods. This sounds so lovely!

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  24. Hello! I'm a secret blog reader. Great posts - I especially like your pictures from the anise cookies. I was wondering if you've ever tried sachlav. It's a Lebanese/Middle Eastern hot drink with milk and rosewater. I've been having it quite often in Israel at the market. I'll put up a post for it very soon because if you love rose, I'm sure you'd like sachlav. Have a great day!

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  25. Stunning....cake. Love the sound of that rose petal jelly. I too am a rose addict.....though i haven't cooked much with it yet! I ♥ Fortnum and Mason - Mu husband ♥s their orange and champagne marmalade. Good thing I'll be at Gatwick airport next month, just may be able to lay my hands on some/////

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  26. It is quite similar - only with a couple extra things and served with coconut and cinnamon. Mmmm

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  27. wow sounds gorgeous, will have to try it!

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  28. Hi! Thanks for the comment on my blog! :) I checked yesterday I think your blog and got so curious about the rose petals jelly! I looks delicious! and gorgeous! :)
    I'm gonna try to find this around here.

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  29. This cake is just beautiful. I love your pictures with the rose petal jelly especially. I wonder where I can get some of that!

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  30. Oh I love this! I bought rose water once when I was learning how to cook and did not know what to do with it!

    Pink cake, and a jelly I will long for!

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  31. I feel so out of the rose loop. I've never had anything rose flavored (and only recently heard of it).

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  32. Rose petal jelly preserve?! Amazing! And that cake is so stunning!

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  33. I love rose flavoring and I've made Rose Hip Jelly but I've never thought to make Rose Petal Jelly!

    Gorgeous cake and perfect for Valentine's Day!

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  34. It's beautiful! And I bet it smelled heavenly. I might have to remember this for next year...

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  35. Wow! Your a women after my own heart. I adore Laduree and Fortnum and Mason. My daughter and I bought so much tea and food stuffs when we were there this summer, we had to borrow an extra suitcase to bring it all home.
    Your cake looks wonderful! I will have to make it for her graduation.
    Lovely post and lovely blog. Thanks for dropping by mine.
    Pam

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  36. I love this cake. I try playing with rore flavoring but I'm always afraid to use too much. And beleave it or not, I have some Rose Petal jelly! I was saving it for a cheese platter but I like your idea better! Or on Macarons! Beautiful cake!

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  37. Absolutely beautiful! What a stunning cake, and such wonderful flavours.

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  38. Wow - what could possibly be more romantic and pretty! I love this. I need to find ways to incorporate more rose into my food!

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  39. Simply gorgeous! I'm waiting for my rose to flower again so that I can use some of it for my baking. :)

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  40. This looks like the perfect Valentine's cake!

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  41. un superbe gâteau qui doit être moelleux et savoureux
    bonne journée

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  42. Some of those shots would make BEAUTIFUL postcards or greeting cards. Love the colors. Wow. Nice post!

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  43. What beautiful photographs, and that's a stunning cake. Sounds perfectly delicious...

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  44. So pretty, love the combination of flavors!

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  45. OMG - I am a rose food fanatic and your cake had my jaw dropping. Stunning!

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  46. This makes me want to try that rose petal jelly!

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  47. That is one gorgeous cake. They are still perfect for every occasion.

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  48. I love the idea of incorporating the rose petal jelly into the cake, great for many types of syrups and jams. beautiful pictures.

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  49. That rose pedal jelly sounds interesting. Just wonder if it would tast like Turkish Delight?

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