Friday, May 15, 2009

Party time - Pineapple cream cake

ONCE UPON A TIME................I think that's the best way to start today's story because this is a picture of a cake I made 4-5 months ago and the following story too dates back to that time( or should I say that age ;). I pulled this out from my archives.

So, it's once upon a time:)

5 months ago.......................

I looked right. I looked left. Turned right.Turned left. Backed up. Curb parked, parallel parked and finally.......... got my driver's license. By the way, did I mention that it was my second attempt. (And no, I am not proud of that).


My first attempt was a disaster. I shivered with nervousness and everything that could possibly go wrong,went wrong. I switched-on the wiper instead of the beams, I didn't stop at the "stop" signs and I never checked my mirrors because I was petrified of taking my eyes off of the road. I even put the right indicator and turned left :) I was so nervous, but there's atleast one thing I can proudly say -I DID NOT pee in my pants that day : P

I was determined not to let that happen again (talking about the nervousness). So, after a few more weeks of practice, I attempted again with confidence. My second shot at it was far, far better and fruitful. I was so thrilled with my success that I drove my way home with music blasting from my car stereo. You should have been there to see that proud look of triumph on my face when I tucked my license into my purse. ( I looked like I had hit a jackpot)

Atlast, a free bird, not having to depend on my partner everytime I want to visit the mall or a friend.....I decided to rejoice and planned a party for two . The highlight of that day was........no, not my license card, but a fine pineapple cream cake. Tasted scrumptious and it's become a household favorite.
Me excited today :)
I got this award from Lena. Thank you so much Lena. I feel elated.

There are some rules to the award:
1) Add the logo of the award to your blog.
2) Add a link to the person who awarded it to you.
3) Nominate at least 7 other blogs (Only if you like).
4) Add links to those blogs on your blog.
5) Leave a message for your nominees on their blog

As usual, now comes the difficult part. Deciding which blogs to pass the award to.
I would like to pass on the award to:
Rush
Ria
Suparna
Sushma
Yasmeen
Viki

Poornima

Ingredients:
  • Butter( at room temperature) - 2 stick( 225 gms)
  • Sugar - 1-1/2 cup
  • Eggs(large) - 4
  • Pineapple extract - 1 tspn
  • All purpose flour - 2 cup
  • Baking powder - 2 tspns
  • Salt - 1/4 tspn(optional)
  • Butter milk - 3/4 cup

For Frosting:

  • Heavy whipping cream ( chilled) - 1-1/2 cups
  • Powdered sugar - 3/4 cup
  • Corn starch - 1/4 tspn(optional)
  • Pineapple pieces - 1/2 cup
  • Pineapple extract - 1 drop

Directions:

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees F( 177 C)
  • Butter two 8" round cake pan or line it with parchment paper.Set aside.
  • Sift together flour, baking powder and salt and set aside.
  • In a large bowl, beat butter and sugar for about 5 minutes, until light and fluffy.
    Add eggs one at a time and beat well after each addition.
    Add vanilla extract and mix well.
  • Now add the flour mixture and mix Stir in the milk until batter is smooth. (Do not over beat the cake batter as it will result in a hard cake)
  • Pour batter into the prepared pan. Bake for 35-40 minutes in the preheated oven.
  • Do the toothpick test to see if the cake is done.(See note below)
    If the cake is not done, reduce the oven temperature to 275 degrees F(135 C) and bake for 8-10 mins more.Repeat tooth pick test.
  • When the cake is done, let it rest in the cake pan for 10 mins.Then remove the cake from the cake pan and cool completely on a wire rack.
    And tada! You are a great baker.

Directions for frosting:



  • Whip the chilled heavy cream with an electric whipper and as it thickens add the powdered sugar and corn starch.
  • When the cream starts forming stiff peaks, drop spoonfulls on the cake and spread it out neatly.
  • To add additional details on top of the cake, like the curls, you need cake decorating cones and cone-tips.( available is all super markets). Fill a cone with the left over cream and pipe out the design of your choice on the cake and garnish with pineapple pieces.

Note:

The tooth pick test :Take a tooth pick or a bamboo skewer or a knife and poke it deep into the cake.If it comes out clean when removed, then the cake is ready.If it comes out with wet cake batter, it needs additional time to bake.

Luv 'n' luc'
Smitha

35 comments:

  1. Day after day..night after night, each day brings a new surprise.
    I dont have words to express...this is amazing, who created this awards concept? great way of acknowledging fellow bloggers :)
    something so intangible, yet so powerful in leaving its effect.
    I am really honoured :)smitha
    A new award with the new look on my page..yipee!!
    Smittens, this is bang on!! and im on cloud seven.
    Thanks so much (((hugs))) and ***kisses***
    love ya babe

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  2. okay now enough of me..
    I wish the cake came alongwith the award, feels like biting in rite away.
    I know the jitterish feeling one has before the driving test, we all have been thru it..but the best part u made it thru :)
    and i wish i was there to see that independent look on ur face, worth a million bucks!!
    Drive off lady...paint the town red :)

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  3. yummy cake lol....I learnt driving 3 yrs but did not even attempt for the license...still pending....

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  4. Wow beautiful cake..looks moist and delicious..congrats for the award :)

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  5. Oh Smitha, the cake looks heavenly... To be honest when I took my drivers license in India it was kewl I was only 14 that time ask me how I got my license oh in India anything is possible ;) now that here I had to give the right age and stuff so had to get a new license and I was truely petrified only until I sat in the drivers license and I was the second that day and I did pass the test but the nerveousness shot high!!!

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  6. Yummy cake Smitha..texture looks perfect,like pineapple in any form

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  7. Perfect cake for the occasion Smitha :) Looks creamy n soft..tempts me to grab one n bite!

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  8. Wow nic cake looks yummy deliciouso .congrats on ur award ...keep rocking

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  9. Hey Smitha...thats one of my fav cakes too, looks awesome. Wonderful way to celebrate ur license. Congrats on the award and thank you so much for thinking of me. Ur the best.

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  10. OMG smitha its looking so good and looking so soft and lovely.. I love this wish to have a slice immediately. Icing is super!!!!!!!

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  11. Congrats on your award too!!!!!!!!Keep rocking

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  12. First thing that came to my mind was that whipped cream definitely has to be fresh... it looks so light and soft unlike the store bought whipped creams. The cake looks very beautiful and home made.

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  13. First of all congrats on getting ur driver's license. I know it is highly a nervous thing and that too in MO , u have to suffer a lot before clearing the test. After seeing all around me suffering to get one , I lost interest and til now regret for it:(
    Hope I shd get one soon.
    Pineapple cake is sure a lovely way to celebrate the occasion. I want to grab a piece:)
    So perfect n fluffy.... I m drooling.
    Congrats on ur award dear. Thanks for loving my blog n sharing it with me too.

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  14. Ah ! the joy of driving,congrats on getting the license,I can't imagine getting around without it.Pineapple used to be one of my fav. pick of pastry cakes in Indian bakeries,your drool worthy cake reminds me those.And how nice of you to think of me for passing the award,thanks dearie:)

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  15. Thank you sooooo much Smits!! This is my first award!! It feels sooooo good!! :D You made my day (or rather night ;D ) Loved your write up...not bad..Congrats!! :D Cake looks lush! I am floating now!! :D

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  16. Lovely-and a driving license is definitely cause for celebrations!!

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  17. Cake looks gorgeous ,yummy and moist.

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  18. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  19. Even i got my license in my second attempt..in my first attempt i made a mess coz of my fear...and the cake looks delicious...Bring some when you land on my footsteps..otherwise i wont let you in ;)

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  20. Congrats on your award and achievement Smitha :) Lovely cake perfect for the occasion!

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  21. awesome cake Smitha.......and congrats on ur award!!!

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  22. enticing piece of cake leaves me mouthwatering

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  23. Hi Smitha,
    The write up is wonderful...as good as reading a story :) double congrats!!one for gettin the license second on the award :) :)Tha's sweet of u to have passed the award to me, am elated.
    The pineapple cake looks sinfully gorgeous...I am running away from fatty food and cutting on oil intake ....u r killing me with this pineapple temptation :)girlie!!
    Enjoy!!
    Happy weekend!!tc

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  24. Smitha.....ur cake looks awesome....I am drooling all over

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  25. all these days i have used the toothpick to poke my teeth.. now i know what else to do..
    chriz

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  26. woww....yummy,,....delicious.....slurpyyy.....
    smitha...just send it to me...

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  27. Smitha, I love the simple decoration u made over the cake. That looks pretty. Perfectly baked.

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  28. First of all congrats on your licence. Nice yummy cake . Love pineapple cakes, my favourite. Looks delicious and very tempting.

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  29. Yummy yummy.. :) Right this morning I feel like eating the whole cake.. it looks nice and fluffy.. :) I am new to the kitchen and found ur blog interesting.. just walked through and am sure I am gonna follow it more. :) Keep it going. Do take a look at my blog when u find time..

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  30. Thats a yummy looking cake smiths...very nice click too.....i can imagine how u must have felt during the driving test....cudnt stop laughing reading ur story though......cos these are happening to me while im giving my driving lessons:).....cant even imagine howimgoing todo my driving test with allmy nervousness!!!

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  31. Congrats on getting a license Smitha :)...Pineapple cake look really perfect and delicious!!! Enjoy your award:)

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  32. Thanks a ton for thinking of me for the award. It really means a lot..

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