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Dessert First

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Perfection, Once Again

Mar 29 by Anita 105 Comments

Doriecake2

It looks like I came back from New York just in time for Daring Bakers! I need to do a report on my favorite dessert spots in the Big Apple, but of course how could I not participate in this month’s baking extravaganza, especially when it involves Dorie and a cake dear to my heart!

I made this cake before for my blog birthday, and I’m more than pleased to have a reason to make it again. It is a wonderful recipe that turns out a gorgeous cake with snowy good looks, elegant crumb, and pert, clean flavor. I’m afraid I didn’t have time to get creative with the flavors as I’m sure many other Daring Bakers did; freshly home from my trip, I was just glad there was a jar of raspberry jam in the refrigerator and flour in the cupboard!

Doriecake1

Never mind jet-lag woes: the cake is a snap to throw together even in a zombie-like post-trip trance. The cake is luxurious; moist and flavorful and yet firm enough to hold its form and cut cleanly. I was particularly enamoured with the pairing of lemon and raspberry flavors the first time I made it, so I was happy to repeat the combination – besides, the raspberry jam does look so pretty next to the pristine white of the cake. It also gives the cake a light freshness, even with four layers.

Dorie’s buttercream recipe is also a winner to me; fast, simple, and nearly foolproof. No need to muck about with cooking sugar or whipping egg whites, and I find its buttery smoothness complements the cake as well. If you’re looking for tips on frosting cakes, be sure to read my post on working with buttercream.

Thanks to Morven for reminding me of how much I adore this cake. And now, I should mention why I’m also so happy that a Dorie recipe got picked for this month – because I met up with Dorie in New York! Of course, I asked her if she knew about the Daring Bakers, and her immediate response was, "They’re doing that Perfect Party Cake, the one where the cake doesn’t rise!" Apparently she found that many people doing the recipe were using self-rising cake flour, which paradoxically led to collapsing cake layers that ended up flatter than intended. Note to all who attempt this recipe: DON"T use self-rising cake flour, and be sure you beat the butter and sugar together thoroughly, as well as the final combined batter, to properly aerate. I’ve never had a problem with having the cake layers rise – then again, when the cake is four layers, you don’t need to worry too much about your layers being too thin! No worries Dorie, I’m a lifelong fan of this cake!

Doriecake3_2

Dorie is basically the most awesome person ever – sweet, funny, ready to take on any pastry (we ate our way through several plates at Payard), and with the best taste in accessories! AND a Daring Baker fan! She was so excited to know that so many people in the blogosphere were being inspired to bake – and here’s the proof!

Meanddorie

My present to all you Daring Bakers out there from me and Dorie: Go Daring Bakers!

I’m looking forward to next month’s recipe!

Perfect Party Cake

adapted from Dorie Greenspan’s Baking: From My Home to Yours

makes 12 to 14 servings

Cake

9 oz cake flour

1 tablespoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

10 3/4 fl. oz. buttermilk

4 large egg whites

10 1/2 oz sugar

2 teaspoons grated lemon zest

4 oz unsalted butter, room temperature

1/2 teaspoon lemon extract

Buttercream

7 oz sugar

4 large egg whites

12 oz unsalted butter, room temperature, cut into 1-in pieces

2 1/4 fl. oz. fresh lemon juice

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

For finishing

2/3 cup seedless raspberry preserves

1 1/2 cups sweetened shredded coconut

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Spray or butter two 9" x 2" round cake pans. Line the bottom of each cake pan with a buttered parchment circle.

For the cake: Sift together the cake flour, baking powder, and salt.

Whisk the buttermilk and egg whites together in a separate bowl.

Combine the sugar and lemon zest in a stand mixer bowl and rub together with your fingers until the sugar is moist and smells like the lemon.

Add the butter to the mixer bowl and beat together with the sugar for 3 minutes on medium speed until the mixture is fluffy and light.

Add in the vanilla extract.

Add in the flour and buttermilk mixtures in alternating additions, starting and ending with the flour mixtures. Be sure each addition is fully incorporated before adding the next.

When everything is added beat the batter for an additional 2 minutes.

Divide the batter between the two pans and bake for 30 minutes in the oven or until the tops are set and springy, and a cake tester inserted into the centers come out clean.

Transfer the pans to wire racks and let cool for a few minutes, then flip and unmold the cakes (run a knife around the sides of the cakes if necessary). Peel the parchment off and flip the cakes back over right side up on the wire racks to finish cooling.

The fully cooled cake layers can be wrapped in plastic and kept overnight or frozen for up to 2 months.

For the buttercream: Combine the sugar and egg whites in a medium heatproof bowl and place over a pan of simmering water.

Whisk the sugar mixture constantly over heat until the sugar is dissolved and the mixture looks smooth and shiny, about 3 minutes.

Remove mixture from heat and pour into a stand mixer bowl. Whisk on medium speed for about 5 minutes until the mixture has cooled.

Switch to the paddle attachment and with the speed on low, add the butter a few pieces at a time, beating until smooth.

When all the butter has been added, beat the buttercream on medium-high speed for about 6-10 minutes until it is very thick and smooth.

Add in the lemon juice and beat until combined. Add in the vanilla.

The buttercream is ready to be used. Place a piece of plastic wrap against the surface until you are ready to use it to prevent it from drying out.

To assemble the cake: Using a sharp serrated knife, slice each cake layer horizontally in half – see this post for tips on cutting cake layers.

Stir the raspberry preserves until it is loose and spreadable.

Place a layer on a cardboard cake round, cut side up. Spread about a third of the raspberry preserves on the cake layer.

Spread a layer of buttercream on top of the preserves. Top with a second cake layer. I found that if you have problems with this, you can spread the buttercream on a second cake layer and flip it over onto the preserve-covered layer – but you have to be very careful doing this or you’ll break your cake layer!

Spread preserves and buttercream on the second cake layer as you did with the first. Top with a third cake layer.

Spread preserves and buttercream on the third cake layer as you did with the second. Top with the last cake layer, cut side down.

Use the rest of the buttercream to frost the sides and top of the cake.

Pr ess the coconut over the sides and top of the cake.

The cake is best served a couple of hours after it is assembled to let the flavors develop. You can refrigerate it for up to 2 days, but be sure it is well covered or the cake will dry out. You should also let the cake come to room temperature before you serve it as it does not taste as good cold.

 

Tagged with: Dorie Greenspan + party cake + birthday cake + daring bakers

Bite This!

Filed Under: Cakes, Events, Recipes Tagged With: cake, daring bakers, dorie greenspan

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Comments

  1. 1

    Katie says

    Mar 29 at 11:44 pm

    Wow your cake looks stunning. I love the colour contrast between the white cake and the vibrant red jam. I’m impressed you actually got to meet Dorie.

    Reply
  2. 2

    kellypea says

    Mar 29 at 11:52 pm

    Such beautifully perfect slices! I agree that the jam is lovely against the white cake. And what a yummy cake! Thanks for sharing your visit/photo with Dorie. How cool is that?

    Reply
  3. 3

    Rosa says

    Mar 30 at 2:03 am

    Thanks for the picture! Your cake looks wonderful and ever so PERFECT!!! Very well done, as usual…

    Cheers,

    Rosa

    Reply
  4. 4

    KJ says

    Mar 30 at 3:34 am

    Wow, beautiful cake. And you met Dorie. It’s all so fantastic.

    Reply
  5. 5

    Aran says

    Mar 30 at 3:56 am

    Hi Anita!
    I just found your blog through someone else’s blog that left a comment on mine. You know how these things work.
    Anyhow, I was so impressed that I had to come see the rest of it. Every post is so beautifully done and the photographs are stunning.
    Well done!
    Aran

    Reply
  6. 6

    Ann says

    Mar 30 at 4:26 am

    Love the look of your cake! And great shout-out! I guess now we know how Dorie found out what we were baking this month 🙂

    Reply
  7. 7

    Gretchen Noelle says

    Mar 30 at 4:51 am

    Incredible meeting, what fun for you! That is absolutely fantastic! Your cake looks especially perfectly tasty and good! I do love the layers and the color contract you got. Beautiful!

    Reply
  8. 8

    Anne says

    Mar 30 at 5:03 am

    Wow! your cake looks so impressive! Beautiful as always 🙂

    Reply
  9. 9

    Emma says

    Mar 30 at 7:33 am

    your photos are absolutely lovely! I find it hard to believe that cake was made under the fog of jet-lag, it is simply too perfect!! and by the by, raspberry jam and lemon sound delicious – and now I want a piece!

    Reply
  10. 10

    Anne says

    Mar 30 at 8:18 am

    That looks lovely, I love the little square towers of cake!

    Reply
  11. 11

    Dianne says

    Mar 30 at 8:31 am

    It looks fantastic! Great work! 🙂

    Reply
  12. 12

    Jerry says

    Mar 30 at 8:38 am

    Love the sprinkles!

    Reply
  13. 13

    Michelle says

    Mar 30 at 8:59 am

    Impressive. Love the layers and colors – red and white!

    Reply
  14. 14

    Lucy V says

    Mar 30 at 9:04 am

    Absolutely stunning. A gorgeous cake. Wow!

    Reply
  15. 15

    Amy J. says

    Mar 30 at 9:30 am

    Ooh, you got to meet Dorie! How cool is that?! Your cake is gorgeous, BTW!

    Reply
  16. 16

    breadchick says

    Mar 30 at 9:56 am

    Wow! Your cake is this perfect little square of yumminess AND you got to hang out and eat pastries with Dorie! How cool!!!

    Reply
  17. 17

    Vibi says

    Mar 30 at 11:11 am

    Perfection as usual… What a great baker you are.
    You work so well, I wish I could have seen a picture of the complete cake.

    Reply
  18. 18

    dreamsicle says

    Mar 30 at 11:34 am

    Welcome back! Can’t believe you started baking soon after you got back – go gal! The cake looks cute and it’s just so “you”.

    And meeting Dorie too? You must have been thrilled! I can’t wait to hear more about your travels in NYC. 😀

    Reply
  19. 19

    Thip says

    Mar 30 at 11:35 am

    Hi Anita,

    I like the way you cut and present your cake. BTW, I’m looking forward to read your first book. 🙂

    –Thip

    Reply
  20. 20

    SaraLynn says

    Mar 30 at 11:58 am

    Perfection! Your cake is the “Perfect” party cake!

    Reply
  21. 21

    Susan says

    Mar 30 at 12:47 pm

    I agree yours looks perfect! This cake has a big fan in me too.

    Reply
  22. 22

    Michelle says

    Mar 30 at 12:49 pm

    Beautiful! Great job!

    Reply
  23. 23

    Ivonne says

    Mar 30 at 1:11 pm

    Oh! Make me swoon, Anita! You put us all to shame with those incredible pictures and that cake! You’re an inspiration. And what a great photo with Dorie … makes my heart happy!

    Reply
  24. 24

    Karen says

    Mar 30 at 3:07 pm

    Cool! Your cake looks incredible! I would love to know your secret for perfect slices.

    Reply
  25. 25

    Madam Chow says

    Mar 30 at 3:42 pm

    Your cake is gorgeous, and I love the picture with Dorie!

    Reply
  26. 26

    Namratha says

    Mar 30 at 4:30 pm

    Wooow, that’s a beautiful slice, absolutely brilliant,well done!

    Reply
  27. 27

    cookworm says

    Mar 30 at 4:48 pm

    Your cake looks terrific! I love the square slices – very nice presentation.

    Reply
  28. 28

    Lesley says

    Mar 30 at 6:22 pm

    WOW, you know Dorie!?!? That is so cool! Lucky gal.
    I love the way you cut your cakes into those high squares, very very elegant!!!

    Reply
  29. 29

    Carrie says

    Mar 30 at 6:59 pm

    I have been a big fan of your blog for quite some time and I am so sorry it has taken me this long to comment. A few things really, 1. the cake looks gorgeous…no surprise
    2. I am insanely jealous that you had the opportunity to meet up with Dorie how cool is that!?
    3. Thank you for your blog, it is fun, informative and inspiring. Thanks again 🙂

    Carrie

    Reply
  30. 30

    Merav says

    Mar 30 at 7:10 pm

    I love the way you sliced your cake into towering squares! Lucky you to have met Dorie herself!

    Reply
  31. 31

    dorie says

    Mar 30 at 9:04 pm

    I was so glad that we could get together for tea and cookies during your whirl through New York — it was a pleasure to have time to chat. And as always, your baking is lovely. You are so very talented.

    Reply
  32. 32

    Skrockodile (Sabra) says

    Mar 30 at 9:40 pm

    very clean and simple – I love it!

    Reply
  33. 33

    Kelly-Jane says

    Mar 31 at 1:53 am

    Oh wow, your layers are just perfect, well done, you did a great job!

    Reply
  34. 34

    Amy says

    Mar 31 at 2:03 am

    It’s so cool you met up with Dorie! Your cake looks absolutely perfect! I had a problem with the cake rising even when I used cake flour, hmm… maybe I should beat it a little more next time. But it’s okay because I’m also in love with this cake and Dorie’s buttercream.

    Reply
  35. 35

    Jessica says

    Mar 31 at 4:11 am

    well done. So nicely cut up. I will say that it did cut well this cake, but i didn’t even attempt to try and slice it like you did. My famioly were too hungry!

    Reply
  36. 36

    Pook says

    Mar 31 at 4:58 am

    What a lovely cake, it’s so perfect.

    Reply
  37. 37

    kate says

    Mar 31 at 6:14 am

    what a fun photo of the 2 of you!
    and your cake looks AMAZING!

    Reply
  38. 38

    Caramella Mou says

    Mar 31 at 6:51 am

    Hello,

    Working my way through all Daring Bakers to see all those wonderful cakes and wanted to say how very stylish yours look – you are a true artist!

    I also very much agree that desserts should come first.

    Caramella

    Reply
  39. 39

    Amber says

    Mar 31 at 7:02 am

    Absolutely stunning cake!! To the next challenge we go.

    Reply
  40. 40

    cheryl says

    Mar 31 at 7:09 am

    I think your blog is the first place I had ever seen this cake made before. And I remember it being beautiful then and even more beautiful now. Your layers are so perfect. I could never cut slices like that.

    Reply
  41. 41

    Katie says

    Mar 31 at 8:20 am

    Your cake looks perfect. I love the shape of the pieces and the contrast of the cake and the filling.

    Reply
  42. 42

    Candace says

    Mar 31 at 8:42 am

    Stunning! And how cool that you met the guru!

    Reply
  43. 43

    rachel says

    Mar 31 at 11:09 am

    the layers are really neat..thanks for the tip on flour..perfect!

    Reply
  44. 44

    Sakya says

    Mar 31 at 11:11 am

    Very nice cake just perfect
    and you are lucky to meet Dorie nice picture:)

    Sakya

    Reply
  45. 45

    Tartelette says

    Mar 31 at 11:40 am

    You’re right: perfection indeed!! I think people were worried about their layers being thin but that is because there is much to be put in the middle and if they were 2 inches high each, that would be a tower of a cake!! You’re right about spotting the towels you sent me! I saved them especially for the challenge! Thank you again dear sweet friend! Love that last picture with Dorie!

    Reply
  46. 46

    Laurie says

    Mar 31 at 11:45 am

    Very pretty..I love the sprinkles and the square cuts!

    Reply
  47. 47

    baking soda says

    Mar 31 at 12:06 pm

    Absolutely stunning cake! Such white and even layers, wow!
    Such fun to read you met with Dorie.
    Sidenote: I *did* use cake flour, albeit European, and followed the recipe to a t. Why my cakes stayed flat? No idea..

    Reply
  48. 48

    Jenny says

    Mar 31 at 12:33 pm

    How cool is that! (Though who sprung the leak and told her about it before hand!)
    Your cake looks amazing!

    Reply
  49. 49

    Hilda says

    Mar 31 at 12:34 pm

    Those slices are PERFECT, as usual with everything you do. How do you do it? And can you teach me? Pretty please?

    Reply
  50. 50

    HoneyB says

    Mar 31 at 12:35 pm

    Your cake looks awesome!

    Reply
  51. 51

    Jen Yu says

    Mar 31 at 12:37 pm

    Yay! Anita!! Your cake *is* perfect and you are a *perfect* baker! That is a totally awesome surprise to have your pic with Dorie. Absolutely beautiful, just like you 🙂 xxoo

    Reply
  52. 52

    aamena says

    Mar 31 at 12:42 pm

    stunning!

    Reply
  53. 53

    Christina says

    Mar 31 at 1:11 pm

    Anita, your cake looks as if it came from a bakery! The pictures are amazing, too.

    It must have been great to meet Dorie! I, too, am now a lifelong fan of this cake.

    Reply
  54. 54

    Tracy says

    Mar 31 at 1:13 pm

    Nice job with the cake!
    I met Dorie when she did a demo in Rochester for Paris Sweets. I also found her to be very cool and nice. Which reminds me … I’ve got to actually TRY some of those recipes!

    Reply
  55. 55

    Amy B says

    Mar 31 at 1:14 pm

    How fun to meet Dorie!!! Your cake is awesome too. I love it when life is good.

    Looking forward to hearing about the NYC trip, Amy

    Reply
  56. 56

    Kevin says

    Mar 31 at 1:17 pm

    Your cake looks so good!

    Reply
  57. 57

    Maria says

    Mar 31 at 1:40 pm

    I am glad you made the cake again, it is gorgeous! Sounds like NY was a fun trip. I am jealous you had dessert with Dorie. Thanks for sharing your stories. I can’t wait to hear more!

    Reply
  58. 58

    Sarah says

    Mar 31 at 1:48 pm

    Wow- Thanks for the great pic of Dorie, that was really neat. Your cake came out beautiful!

    Reply
  59. 59

    courtney says

    Mar 31 at 1:49 pm

    How cool is that. Your cake looks like perfection.What a great surprise!

    Reply
  60. 60

    maria~ says

    Mar 31 at 1:51 pm

    wowee! you are so cool!!! 😀

    Reply
  61. 61

    Chou says

    Mar 31 at 2:07 pm

    How fun to meet her in person! Thanks for sharing.

    Reply
  62. 62

    Suzana says

    Mar 31 at 2:10 pm

    Oh that’s so sweet of Dorie!! I didn’t have much of a problem with my cake rising, using cake flour… And yours look lovely with the confetti on top of those perfect squares!

    Reply
  63. 63

    Chelle says

    Mar 31 at 2:15 pm

    So jealous! How do I snag a visit with Dorie?!

    Reply
  64. 64

    brilynn says

    Mar 31 at 2:56 pm

    I made this cake for my blog’s birthday last year too! And Dorie really is wonderful, isn’t she?!

    Reply
  65. 65

    Nan says

    Mar 31 at 5:11 pm

    Your cake is utterly beautiful. AND you got to meet Dorie. So awesome that she knows about the DBs!

    Reply
  66. 66

    Julia says

    Mar 31 at 6:39 pm

    Wow, your cake looks like what I wished mine would have. It’s perfection!

    Reply
  67. 67

    Elle says

    Mar 31 at 8:39 pm

    That is so cool that you and Dorie are cheering the DBs on! The cake really is a joy…as long as you take the time to beat it as much as specified. Your is truly beautiful and elegant looking, too.

    Reply
  68. 68

    Julie says

    Mar 31 at 9:46 pm

    That’s so cool! It’s cool to know that people who’s recipes we bake are cheering us on!

    Your cake looks divine! Now I want to make it all over again.

    Reply
  69. 69

    Apu says

    Mar 31 at 10:00 pm

    Absolutely beautiful.

    Apu

    http://annarasaessenceoffood.blogspot.com/

    Reply
  70. 70

    Beth G says

    Mar 31 at 10:39 pm

    THAT IS AWESOME!!! What a fabulous post, surprise and your beautiful job on the cake- it looks fantastic!

    Reply
  71. 71

    TERESA says

    Apr 1 at 1:48 am

    Beautiful your cake, and its cut¡¡

    And thank for your present, this picture with dorie is fantastic¡¡

    Teresa

    Reply
  72. 72

    peabody says

    Apr 1 at 2:05 am

    LOL- I love that picture of you and Dorie holding up the Daring Bakers sign…that is priceless.
    A beautiful cake you have here Anita.

    Reply
  73. 73

    Sarah says

    Apr 1 at 4:35 am

    Gorgeous cake and how cool to meet Dorie!

    Reply
  74. 74

    courtney says

    Apr 1 at 5:11 am

    wow your cake looks perfect, too cool that you also got to meet Dorie this month

    Reply
  75. 75

    a. grace says

    Apr 1 at 5:28 am

    a gorgeous brick of cake that size needs a more appropriate utensil, perhaps a pitchfork or…my hands. it’s just lovely! 🙂

    Reply
  76. 76

    Meeta says

    Apr 1 at 6:16 am

    Anita, your cake looks incredible I love the little squares and what a treat you and Dorie together. Thanks!

    Reply
  77. 77

    Deborah says

    Apr 1 at 9:24 am

    I remember your cake from last year, and you’ve done it beautiful this year!! How fun to meet Dorie!

    Reply
  78. 78

    HowToEatACupcake says

    Apr 1 at 9:37 am

    That is totally awesome!

    Reply
  79. 79

    Erika says

    Apr 1 at 11:02 am

    Wow! Your cake is great! Please tell me how you got everything so even and those clean squares?! Amazing!

    Reply
  80. 80

    Dolores says

    Apr 1 at 11:38 am

    Your cake and your pictures are pure perfection Anita. And thanks for sharing Dorie’s advice.

    Reply
  81. 81

    Andrea says

    Apr 1 at 3:02 pm

    I love the little squares for serving. Your cake looks lovely!

    Reply
  82. 82

    Bev says

    Apr 2 at 4:27 am

    Wow, cool pic of you and Dorie!

    I love what you have done with the recipe, the cakes are gorgeous!

    Reply
  83. 83

    Miss Ifi says

    Apr 2 at 7:14 pm

    Awwww I love the picture with you and Dorie.. is simply fantastic, it just made me feel so special to be part of the Daring Bakers!!! Your cake looks beautiful congratulations on your challenge!!!

    Reply
  84. 84

    Tina says

    Apr 3 at 7:41 am

    Your cake looks so adorable!! I love it, its simplicity but gorgeous!! Great Job!!

    Reply
  85. 85

    Tracy says

    Apr 3 at 10:28 am

    Beautiful cake!! That’s so cool you got to meet Dorie. I love the picture!!

    Reply
  86. 86

    Niko says

    Apr 3 at 10:36 am

    Anita,
    Great stuff as usual! I can’t wait to trade notes about my trip to San Francisco (Where I visited Ubuntu). I guess I never knew what a foodie city SF was. How ignorant of me! Anyway, looking forward to your write up from New York.

    Reply
  87. 87

    Claire says

    Apr 3 at 6:06 pm

    What a neat picture! Your cake slices are SO CUTE! I love the perfect little square. Great job.

    Reply
  88. 88

    paris breakfasts says

    Apr 4 at 3:36 am

    Happy Happy everything Anita!
    So sorry I missed you in New York.
    Darn ole Paris plans could not be changed. But it looks like you had a swell time!
    xxCarolg

    Reply
  89. 89

    saanjh says

    Apr 4 at 4:08 am

    u a hve cool blog ..plz add me in ur favorite…
    if u r intersested.. add me in ur blogg… an msg me in me blog.. ill too add u…

    Reply
  90. 90

    simona says

    Apr 5 at 1:24 am

    really wonderful!
    bye

    Reply
  91. 91

    kat says

    Apr 5 at 4:34 am

    looks wonderful! go daring bakers!

    Reply
  92. 92

    eliza says

    Apr 5 at 3:40 pm

    welcome back! as always your dessert look very pristine 🙂 what an honor to see Dorie in person!

    Reply
  93. 93

    Faery says

    Apr 6 at 6:44 pm

    The cake looks delicious and beautiful
    Thanks for sharing your photo with Dorie.

    Reply
  94. 94

    Rachel says

    Apr 7 at 5:45 am

    Hi, I’m a long time lurker and just felt I should say; I love your blog! It’s one of my favourites and has an automatic place on the check-everytime-I-go-online-for-updates list. Apart from the obvious (yummy food, beautiful photography etc) your language is brilliant. I know this sounds wierd, but one of the things that turns me off a blog is annoying language. Anyway yours is beautifully fresh and delicious and literate. Well done, and keep it coming.
    Rachel

    Reply
  95. 95

    Wheeler says

    Apr 7 at 1:40 pm

    That cake is amazing – it is obvious a great amount of skill and love went into baking it!

    Reply
  96. 96

    Chris says

    Apr 10 at 1:09 pm

    So sorry I am just getting to this now – what perfect pieces! Makes me wish I had more of the cake to eat…right now! 🙂

    Reply
  97. 97

    Sweet Tooth says

    Apr 10 at 2:33 pm

    Hello!

    I have enjoyed your blog (secretly) for a while. I wanted to thank you for your excellent work by passing on a nomination for “E is for Excellent”.

    Great work! Thank you,

    Alexandra

    Reply
  98. 98

    Hélène says

    Apr 10 at 6:34 pm

    While you were in NY I was in San Francisco. What a nice city.

    I love the cake. So perfect.

    Reply
  99. 99

    Cecilia says

    Apr 17 at 6:24 pm

    Hi Anita,

    Wow!! This was a cinch to make! It’s so light and fluffy. What a lovely cake. 🙂 And you got to hang out with Dorie!! How cool is that!

    Reply
  100. 100

    Jenny Ho says

    Jan 26 at 1:06 pm

    Hey Anita!

    This cake looks absolutely delicious!! I really want to bake this cake for my friend’s birthday, but she has a medical condition that won’t allow her to have any refined sugars. Are there any substitutions I can make while still keeping the flavors of the cake?

    Reply
  101. 101

    Janice says

    Mar 11 at 4:56 pm

    Hi. I tried the recipe for this cake and I thought it came out too sweet. The top of the cake was slightly crunchy after I took it out as the sugar had created a little crust.

    Reply
  102. 102

    Jessica says

    Apr 30 at 8:01 pm

    haha, this is about 3 years late I suppose, but I made this cake last week and it was really awesome. it’s my new favorite cake 🙂 thanks! i really enjoy reading your blog!

    Reply
  103. 103

    Angelique says

    Sep 7 at 9:08 pm

    Hi Anita, i am daring myself to bake this gorgeous cake. Please tell me what size of pan should I use ?
    Love your blog,
    Angelique

    Reply
    • 104

      Anita says

      Sep 10 at 1:13 pm

      Hi Angelique, you can use two 9-in round cake pans. I think that’s what the recipe says. Happy baking!

      Reply

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    Nov 17 at 12:41 pm

    […] the first thing she said was, “You look the same!” I said the same thing! Look at this post from 2008 – is Dorie not still exactly the same wonderful baking fairy godmother she’s always […]

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Anita Chu, also known as pastrygirl, is a baker, writer, and photographer with a passion for pastry. She trained at Tante Marie's Cooking School and is the author of Field Guide to Cookies, Field Guide to Candy, and Lollipop Love. Anita lives in San Francisco with her husband, baby girl, and rescue cockapoo Snickerdoodle. More about pastrygirl

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