Monday, October 13, 2008

Spiced yogurt mini cakes and a box of gifts

Spiced yogurt mini cakes

I got a box full of gifts!!

These were the prizes I won with my sake panna cotta at the event hosted by my lovely friend Clarice. She sent all these amazing things all the way from Japan. Thank you, dear!

I had Clarice in mind while making these mini cakes – they are delicate and pretty, just like her. She loves all things cornmeal, but the wonderful cinnamon she sent was such an inspiration and I felt like baking with that flavor.

Clarice, my friend, I wish I could personally serve you these cakes, on a beautifully set table; since I can’t, I virtually offer them to you, with love!

Spiced yogurt mini cakes

Spiced yogurt mini cakes
from a Brazilian cookbook

1/3 cup skinned almonds, coarsely chopped
225g granulated sugar
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
pinch of freshly ground nutmeg
180g all purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
½ teaspoon baking soda
pinch of salt
90g unsalted butter, room temperature
1 egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
200g plain yogurt

Icing:
1 cup (140g) icing sugar
2 tablespoons milk
3 tablespoons sliced almonds, slightly toasted

Preheat the oven to 180ºC/350ºF; generously butter a 12-cup muffin pan.

In a bowl, place the chopped almonds, 4 tablespoons of the granulated sugar, the cinnamon and nutmeg.
In another bowl, sift together flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Set aside.

Using a stand mixer, cream together butter and remaining granulated sugar. Add the egg and vanilla and beat well. Fold in 1/3 of the sifted ingredients and half the yogurt. Proceed with the remaining dry ingredients and yogurt in 2 additions.

Place a heaped tablespoon of batter in the bottom of each muffin cup. Generously sprinkle with the almond and spice mixture. Cover with cake batter (don’t fill the pan too much or it might overflow while in the oven)
Bake for 20 minutes or until golden and a skewer inserted in the middle of the cakes comes out clean.
Remove from the oven and let cool completely before unmolding.

Make the icing: mix sugar and milk together until smooth and runny – add more milk if necessary. Pour the icing over the cooled cakes and sprinkle with the sliced almonds.

Makes 12

Spiced yogurt mini cakes

28 comments:

  1. these look really nice. Can I have some for breakfast. :-) Pity I have to make them to have some :( Nice recipe. I like the way you decorated them

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  2. These are absolutely adorable! They would be a perfect snack or breakfast (or really, I'd eat them anytime!!!)

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  3. Perfect with a cup of coffee Patricia! Glad to see you enjoyed the contents of your package.

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  4. These look fantastic, I wish I had one right now!

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  5. Patricia, I've gotten so behind on my blog-reading but I just saw your photo on Tastespotting and my word! this looks fantastic! You're so wonderful. :)

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  6. Your cakes -- so cute! And what fun to receive a box full of gifts.

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  7. the cakes looks yummy and I think I'll try to bake some. obrigada for the nice recipe, Patricia.

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  8. Like Christmas in October! And what a lovely way to share your thanks. Your spicy little cakes sound heavenly.

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  9. Jealouseeeeee! Matcha, Fauchon goodies, a cool cookie cutter, and best of all--- SNOOPY!!! Love.
    I love the yogurt cakes, they look so tender and delicate!

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  10. These cakes look like they would make great gifts from the kitchen. I have to bookmark this recipe for Christmastime.

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  11. Patricia, the mini-cakes are adorable! And I love the recipe!

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  12. Oh, those mini cakes are simply darling, Patricia. They would be so lovely for a wedding shower too.

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  13. Fun cakes and fun treats!

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  14. Lovely cakes you have there Pat!! I want some badly ;)

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  15. I just saw you like The Catcher In the Rye - I love that book too.

    Your gifts look cool.

    Mini-cakes are the best.

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  16. Oh, how sweet! Those little cakes look delicious, and the presentation is so beautiful. You'll have lots of goodies to have fun with for a while! :)

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  17. Those mini cakes are gorgeous -- and look delicious! I'm so jealous you got gifts from Fauchon!

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  18. It all looks like so much fun, and the cakes look amazing - like always!!

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  19. These yogurt cakes are a great way to thank your friend for her wonderful gift. They are so pretty and I am sure she enjoyed looking at them. Gorgeous pictures!

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  20. These mini cakes are gorgeous! Congrats on winning all the cool loot!

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  21. Hi Patricia-

    I've entered a travel contest and if I win I am flying down there, so I hope you will have some of these on hand. They look wonderful.

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  22. Lucky you, you gifts look so sweet! And so do these adorable cakes!

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  23. Snooky Doodle, have as many as you want, darling! :)
    Thank you for your kind words.

    Food Librarian, I know - I had to send them away or I'd end up eating 12 of them. :)

    Peter, I did, a lot! Tks, my friend!

    Katie, thank you, sweetie!

    Robin, YOU are wonderful, tks for cheering me up so much!

    Julie, I was in such joy with my gifts. :)

    Mindy, you are such a dear, obrigada!
    xx

    Kelly, indeed! A wonderful Xmas gift!

    Mark, I know!!! All the things I love the most! She really knows me. :)

    Cheri, tks for stopping by! I hope you try these.

    Vera, I'm glad you stopped by! Thank you!

    Susan, that is a great idea, my friend.

    Pea, you are right!

    Anh, I wish I could share these with you, sweetie!

    Emiline, I LOVE that book. I've read it in English and in Portuguese.

    LyB, you are far too kind, darling! Tks!

    Proof of the Pudding, I know!! I couldn't believe my eyes when I opened the box. :)

    Deb, thank you, my dear friend!

    Alexa, she did and that made me really happy.

    Zoe, thank you, darling!

    Aimée, I'll be looking forward! :)
    xoxo

    Pam, can't wait to start using all my gifts!

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  24. Pat, you must have the best afternoon teas in all of Brazil!

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  25. Oh these look so cute and delicious. I am always on the look out for non-chocolate recipes, and this sort of spice cake is right up my alley! Neat package - Japanese stuff is sooooo cool :)

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  26. I know I'd love these cakes...anything with yoghurt in them is a hit with me!

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  27. What pretty cake for such a wonderful person.Congrats on winning & the prize is WONDERFUL!! Love the recipe too...anything yogurt sings to me! DROOLICIOUS!!

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  28. Oh god, that icing just looks too delicious for words! I want this NOW!

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