Mad about Raspberry Rose Vanilla Cream Cake
I’ve been neglecting this blog for way longer than I’d have liked, but without the energy nor any pressing desire to bake the last few months, there’s really been nothing much to write about.
That was until last week when I decided to visit Tartelette, one of my favourite pastry/food blogs, and became completely inspired by Helen’s recent creations.
I was particularly taken by the idea of the raspberry rose vanilla cream cake. Just the thought of the delicate flavours of rose and vanilla, combined with a slightly tart raspberry jelly was enough to get me running through the larder in search of the necessary ingredients. The hubby, on the other hand, was sold alone on the bavarian cream.
I’d long run out of almonds, given that it’s been 3 months since my last batch of macarons. As luck would have it, I still had a bag of hazelnuts. Frozen raspberries were certainly not a problem since the hubby loves his occasional rote grütze. And there was still a decent stash of vanilla pods in the fridge. I also substituted gelatin powder with gelatin sheets since I don’t quite care for the smell of the gelatin powder I’d bought previously.
The 3 main components - hazelnut rose dacquoise, raspberry jelly and vanilla bavarian cream were easily made and assembled in less than a day, although the next time I make this, I’d happily take on Helen’s suggestion to make the dacquoise and raspberry jelly the evening before.
The raspberry jelly posed the greatest challenge, turning from frozen jelly to mushy jelly in the space of 10 minutes in our horribly hot climate. I had to work relatively fast to get the entire layer into the tin before it turned into an unmanageable layer of mush in my warm fingers. I was also initially concerned that the bavarian cream would not set since it seemed pretty fluid when I poured it into the tin, but in the end, everything turned out beautifully.
I was especially delighted by the pretty layers that revealed themselves when I cut the cake into individual servings.
Many thanks to the wonderfully talented Helen for sharing such a lovely recipe!
November 4th, 2009 at 4:10 am
This looks amazing! My mouth is watering right now, it looks so beautiful and elegant! Yum rose.
November 5th, 2009 at 1:01 pm
wow! i wish i could bake as well as you! you’re awesome!
November 5th, 2009 at 1:29 pm
I am so glad you finally updated your blog. I have been checking it almost every day! I can’t wait to try this recipe!
November 5th, 2009 at 8:07 pm
Wow - so neat and perfect. I bet it tastes amazing too.
November 7th, 2009 at 5:09 am
I have seen this cake in Tartelette too and I admire your ableness to replicate the whole cake and it looks exactly the same. Very nice.
November 10th, 2009 at 12:10 pm
Good to have you back, I have been reading your blog for ages but never commented. I really missed you! (wow, oops that came out all stalkerish)
That cake is a fine work of presision. It looks lovely
November 11th, 2009 at 4:17 am
This looks delicious! Very nice. Have a nice evening.
November 11th, 2009 at 5:27 am
This is absolutely gorgeous!
November 12th, 2009 at 1:46 am
Hi Karen! great blog
It is my first time here and I am amazed by great recipies and photos you posted here. I entered it incidentally looking for lebkuchen recipe. I wrote it down and now I am willing to try it soon 
thanks for wonderful time on your blog.
greetings from Poland
November 15th, 2009 at 12:46 pm
That looks yuuuummmmy!
November 19th, 2009 at 12:04 am
hi may i know how can i place a order for a cake?
November 21st, 2009 at 5:49 am
Hi may i know if you are taking any cake orders?
November 25th, 2009 at 6:23 pm
Looking at the amazing pictures, no one would ever guess the problems you had!
December 11th, 2009 at 4:53 pm
Hi, do you still conduct baking classes? Macaron classes? I am very interested. Do email me the details. Thanks.
January 15th, 2010 at 6:53 pm
Looks amazing! And i love working with rose water, have to try this soon
Thanks
June 16th, 2010 at 7:56 am
Can you imagine being served a plate of this at a wedding or shower? I’d be over the moon! Really beautiful presentation here. Love it.