Lavender Sponge Cake Food

LAVENDER CAKE WITH LAVENDER CREAM CHEESE ICING

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350°F
• Prepare two 9"x2" round pans by lining them with parchment paper and then spray the paper with non-stick spray.
• Mix the dry ingredients on slow speed for 2 minutes to blend. Add the soft butter and mix until evenly crumbly, it should resemble damp sand.
• Add the egg whites one at a time, then add the whole egg, beating well after each addition to begin building the structure of the cake. Scrape down the sides of the bowl with each egg addition.
• In a small bowl, whisk the milk with the vanilla and the lavender oil (see Notes). Add this mix ⅓ at a time, to the batter. Beat just until combined. Scrape down the sides and bottom of the bowl. Fold the crushed lavender buds into the batter.
• Pour the batter into the prepared pans and bake for 25 to 30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with just a few crumbs stuck to the toothpick. Remove from the oven and cool completely on a wire rack.
• With an electric mixer, and using the paddle attachment, not the whisk, mix the butter and cream cheese together, about 3 minutes on medium speed until very smooth. Scrape down the sides and bottom of the bowl to ensure even mixing.
• Add the vanilla extract and mix. Slowly add the powdered sugar. Keep adding until you get to desired sweetness and thickness. With the mixer on the slow speed, carefully add one drop of the oil at a time and mix well. Taste for flavor and add more oil a drop at a time to get the desired taste.
• Spread icing on the cooled cake and refrigerate until serving.

LEMON LAVENDER CAKE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C). Grease a fluted tube pan (such as Bundt®) generously.
• Measure 5 tablespoons milk into a microwave-safe bowl. Heat in the microwave until warmed through, 30 to 45 seconds. Add lavender buds. Let steep to release their flavor, 10 to 15 minutes.
• Whisk white sugar and butter together in a large bowl until creamy. Whisk in eggs, 1 at a time, whisking well after each addition. Add 1/2 cup lemon juice and lemon zest; mix until well-blended. Stir milk and lavender buds into the batter.
• Sift cake flour and baking powder together in a bowl. Slowly fold into the batter, stirring well to prevent lumps. Pour into the greased tube pan.
• Bake in the preheated oven until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean, 45 to 55 minutes. Cool in the pan for 5 minutes. Invert onto a wire rack to cool completely, at least 30 minutes.
• Whisk remaining 5 tablespoons milk, 1/4 cup lemon juice, and confectioners' sugar together in a small bowl to make glaze; drizzle over the cooled cake. Let stand until glaze is set, about 30 minutes.

LAVENDER SPONGE CAKE

Steps:

• Sift flour, salt and baking powder in bowl; set aside.
• While in another large bowl, beat egg white and corn starch until meringue like but not stiff.
• Slowly add the sugar while beating. Then, add vanilla and the grapeseed oil.
• Add egg yolks one at a time and keep on whisking.
• Add the flour, dried lavender, salt and baking powder and continue in mixing.
• Line the 9 inches x 13 inches round cake pan with greasedproof paper and pour the mixtures, then bake in cold oven of 180C/156F/gas mark 4 for 1 hour or until the toothpick inserted comes out clean.
• Serve with custard or vanilla ice cream.

AUNT IDA'S PASSOVER SPONGE CAKE

Steps:

• Sift cake meal and potato starch together and set aside.
• Add oil and vanilla to egg yolks.
• Add sugar and salt while beating.
• Continuing to beat, add orange juice alternately with sifted dry ingredients.
• Beat some more until creamy.
• Beat egg whites until stiff, and fold into egg yolk mixture.
• Pour batter to about 1 1/2" from the top of an ungreased 10" tube pan (an angel-food cake pan, with removable sides.) Bake at 325 degrees F.
• for 50-60 minutes.
• (There will be enough batter left over for an additional 8" or 9" round cake.) Invert to cool (important so cake won't collapse!).