Meal Monday
Do you want a cake that is delicious and an absolute breeze to make? Have I got the cake for you!
There is a French yogurt cake that has been making the rounds. The ever popular Dorie Greenspan has a recipe (see also here), and the equally beloved Ina Garten has her version of Dorie’s recipe. Ultimately, I went with Molly’s version on Orangette.
The recipe is based on the French yogurt container, which holds about half a cup. The idea is that you use the empty yogurt container to measure out all the other ingredients. So, after dumping the yogurt into the mixing bowl, you measure out 1 container of oil, 2 containers of sugar, and 3 containers of flour. Plus, you add in eggs and baking powder.
It is so easy to mix up, a preschooler can do it. (And ask me how I know this).
Molly’s recipe calls for adding in grated lemon rind and then later pouring over a glaze. I dispensed with that, just adding in some almond extract to that batter and leaving it at that. I baked it in a loaf pan (for about an hour at 350 degrees), but it can be baked in a round pan, too.
The YoBaby yogurts are perfect for this recipe. They are just the right size and full fat, which makes for a richer, tastier cake.
I accidentally discovered that what absolutely takes these over the top is a cream cheese frosting. Carole Bloom’s recipe for cream cheese frosting, from her book The Essential Baker (featured at Zoe Bakes) is surreally good with the yogurt cake. It has just the right texture and sweetness with pretty shards of grated lemon and orange zest.
Make the batter as cupcakes, top with the cream cheese frosting and then add a shower of flaked coconut.
You can also make chocolate yogurt cupcakes. David Lebovitz has a recipe in his new cookbook, The Sweet Life in Paris. It is basically the same as the Orangette recipe, but with 7 ounces of melted chocolate added to the batter. (Mmmm, chocolate . . . .)
Jaden at Steamy Kitchen has posted this great recipe. Check out the great pictures of her son Nathan making this cake. (See, didn’t I tell you a child could do it?)
hey! thanks for the shoutout! i wish i had smaller yogurt container - instead we had that massive giant 300lb tub!
;-)
Posted by: Jaden, SteamyKitchen | Tuesday, June 02, 2009 at 10:18 AM