The distinctively flavorful Ispahan Loaf Cake, made with Rose Extract and Rose Syrup
Mary,
The Raspberry loaf is wonderful. You can really taste the Rose Syrup/Extract. I really enjoyed it! I just had a piece of it with a cup of tea and it was so delicious. I saved the other piece for Lorena [sister] (she hasn’t come in yet to the office) but if she doesn’t come in today, I am going to eat the rest of it. It is so moist and so flavorful and I can even taste the raspberries, which I love. I would say it’s one of my favorite desserts you have made! It sounds like it would be complicated to make because of all the different ingredients that you need, but maybe Mom would be able to make it. You might have to give her the recipe.
Thank you I really enjoyed it!
Adriana
The cake is loaded with strategically placed moist, plump raspberries.
This e-mail says everything that should be said about this week’s FFWD recipe choice, a remarkable dessert closely resembling a pound cake. Please don’t judge this cake by its cover. Although both loaf cakes are cut into thick slices, in taste they are not at all related.
Ispahan was once the capital of Persia and is also the name of a profoundly fragrant rose. It was the talented pastry maestro Pierre Hermé who first began infusing his sweets with intensely flavorful rose syrups and extracts.
I topped my first slice of cake with whipped cream and raspberry coulis. We ate the rest of the cake “naked”.
Since this is my last Blog Post from my Nevada kitchen, I was especially pleased to make a celebratory cake which I could share with friends who have been my loyal taste testers since its beginning in February, 2011. Without a doubt, Adriana and her husband, Bob, my incredibly kind backyard neighbors, have played the guinea pig-role the most — always with good will and candor. It was a bittersweet moment when I dropped this week’s FFWD sampling of cake at her front door Wednesday morning.
There is nothing difficult about making this cake once you’ve gathered the ingredients. I ordered the Rose Extract made by Star Kay White on line through Amazon. (Yeah, go figure.) After buying Rose Water at Whole Foods, I made my own Rose Syrup. Almond flour can be bought at any grocery store and the other ingredients, whole milk, confectioners sugar, eggs, sugar, AP flour, and butter are regulars in my kitchen. My raspberries were fresh, plump and organic.
The raspberries are layered carefully on top of the batter —- twice.
Although I did embellish my first slice with whipped cream and raspberry coulis, my taste testers and I enjoyed the rest of the loaf just ‘plain and simple’. Wrapped tightly in plastic wrap, this dessert keeps well at room temperature for up to four or five days.
“All the surprises are in the finished cake,” Dorie writes. “The color is pink. The flavor is haunting. The crumb is soft, tight, and pleasantly springy. Then there are the fresh raspberries – they dot the interior of the cake and permeate it with both their distinctive flavor and their perfume. It’s a remarkable cake.”
Layer #1. Next, cover with batter, repeat raspberries and cover again.
I loved this cake and, when I make it again and again, it will always bring back memories of the remarkable friends I have made during my eight-and-a-half years here in Henderson.
Allow me to embellish a wonderful quote by Molly Wizenberg from her book, A Homemade Life:
“When I walk into my kitchen today, I am not alone. Whether we know it or not, none of us is. We bring fathers and mothers and kitchen tables, and every meal we have ever eaten. Food is never just food. It’s also a way of getting at something else: who we are, who we have been, and who we want to be.”
to that I would add…….”and where we have been and who we have met along the way.”
If you’d like to try this recipe, go here for the directions. If you want to see what the other Roses who belong to FFWD baked this week, go to our Link.
Beautiful post! I also made the rose syrup. Happy moving even though it sounds like it will be bittersweet! Do you think your cake is not pink because you made the syrup? I am guessing that is why mine is not pink.
I couldn’t even think of a reason why it wasn’t pink but I think you are right. I looked at several recipes for rose syrup and it was mentioned that you could add food coloring (yuck). I choose not to do that. Good thinking, Karen.
Lovely post!! And interestingly, your batter looks very much like my first round which completely and absolutely did not bake even after 90 minutes in the oven. (You’ll see!). My second batch was much lighter, more silky and liquid and baked up ok – wasn’t super pleased with this one but now seeing a few people’s I realise I might have had too much fruit in my first batch… Have a lovely weekend Mary!
What a lovely post, Mary! I’m sure your friends will miss you as much as you’ll miss them. And you have so much to look forward to!
We really enjoyed this cake, too, but of course, I had to “Susanize” it! LOL!
Have a fabulous weekend! xoxo
Such a memorable post. Moving is so hard for so many reasons. I wish you the best. And good food always seals memories and friends forever. Your Ispahan loaf is beautiful and looks perfect. Your friends will miss you and your cooking! But think of all the wonderful people who will become your friends, and your foods will quicken those new friendships.
I love that finishing quote, and I love your addendum to it. I agree, 100%.
You cake looks wonderful, and I’m so glad that your guinea pigs enjoyed their final Dorie experiment.
Aw, how wonderful to treat your Nevada friends one last time before you moved. Your cake was perfect…and I know it would even be better with your embellishments 🙂
Lovely and bittersweet post Mary. And a fabulous cake to say goodbye with! Your rows of raspberries look perfect, because you did follow instructions, not like me who just dumped the whole pint so the sank… A remarkable cake to share with remarkable friends! Have a good weekend my friend
This looks wonderful. I have a strawberry loaf that looks similar. When we are both back in Aspen again, we’ll share! Don’t worry Hendersonites…we are going to keep her very busy!
You are the best, Elaine.
I LOVED your quote!!! So true. This really is a special cake. Good luck with your move.
the pictures of the boxes and the cake crumbs were perfect…so I guess the last thing you packed was your rose water??
I can’t wait til you move here and I can assume a part time job as one of your tasters and bottle washers.
I adore the quote of Molly W.
Your cake looks beautiful Mary! I did not have things together to get this made on time but I am definitely going to get around to it. What lucky neighbors!
Oh, what a beautiful post. It’s so perfect that this wonderful cake is your last hurrah in your Nevada kitchen. It’s such a special dessert. Your cake looks spectacular.
Awwww – sweet Mary.
I hope that the move continues to progress smoothly – thinking of you 🙂
Mary, your quote gave me goosebumps – what a touching post, hope all goes well during your last days in Nevada. Your cake looks fabulous, fresh raspberries and all. We (the ladies) liked it with only a dusting of powdered sugar. Hope you will find the girls´ letter when you get to Colorado!
All the very best and “see” you very soon!
So glad you get to leave your old kitchen with this rose cake… such a symbol of love. It sounds like you shared much love with friends in this house. I also love the last picture of the crumbs and the boxes. Wonderful narrative with your pictures.
Lovely! Such a pretty cake, Mary. Good luck with your move and safe travels – sending thoughts & prayers! 🙂
What a great quote, Mary. I am so glad that you and your taste testers enjoyed this cake. Yours looks beautiful and is a perfect celebratory cake. I wish you the best with your move!
Looks like a perfect cake, Mary! I love that final quote. You are so right. Cooking is a connection that keeps on giving. Good luck with your move!
What a beautiful post, I really enjoyed reading this.
Your cake turned out beautiful and I hope the move goes well!
I love the dimples on the top of the cake, Mary. You are creating another memory with Adriana and Bob that maybe they will pass on to other friends and family, like the quote says. I hope everything runs smoothly with your move.
A perfect cake, and your tasters are going to miss you. Good luck, and Tricia and I are looking forward to meeting you in Seattle.
This sounds unique and delicious Mary! Hope the move has gone well! A yummy treat always helps, doesn’t it?