Spiced Grapefruit Sponge Cake with Candied Orange Slices

Hello, friend

The citrus fruit season is almost behind us. Before it leaves and the flavors of autumn begin to drown us in their apple spiced goodness, you need to get your hands on some oranges and a bottle (or two!) of this Spiced Grapefruit Tonic mixer from Powell & Mahoney and make this sponge cake. The cake is warm with hints of autumn from the honey, cinnamon, and nutmeg. The spiced grapefruit tonic mixer adds a hint of allspice and a subtle tartness to this simply sweet cake. The cake is light and almost cloud-like. Couldn’t you image it? Instead of clouds we had little flying sponge cakes in the air. Actually, scratch that idea, that sounds terrifying. Clouds belong in the sky and cake belongs on my plate. You should put that saying on a t-shirt.

Orange Blossom & Honey Cinnamon Buns + a change

Hello, friend.

Whenever I’m feeling homesick (or more specifically, when I’m missing Momma’s cooking), I bake. The smell of warm cinnamon rolls brings me back to those early Saturday mornings growing up. Mom pulling them out of the oven and generously drowning each roll in a sweet icing glaze. Sweet bliss, my friends. These orange blossom & honey cinnamon buns are the perfect end of summer goodbye and hello to autumn brunch or afternoon dessert. I first attempted this recipe back in July (hence some of the rolls in the iron skillet), but I wasn't happy with the recipe so I kept adapting. Now I have a recipe I'm proud of.  The sweet and fruity notes of the orange and honey play beautifully with the floral undertones of the orange blossom water. I am a huge love of rose water. I’ve even featured it in a few recipes (and, hint-hint, it’s a featured ingredient in an upcoming blog post).

Beignets with Orange Spiced Wildflower Honey + speaking of baking

Hello, friend.

Baking. The science of culinary perfection. Exact measurements and proper conditions dictate the outcome. Mix up sugar for salt or forget to temper the chocolate and disaster will surely strike. Baking is an exact science, a process that requires extreme precision and execution while also demonstrating grace and simplicity. It’s a balancing act. Understanding the processes before you step off on your baking endeavors will support a greater chance of a positive outcome. Like the old saying goes, “Measure twice, bake once” (or something like that! I’m a little fuzzy on the exact phrasing). Baking is a process that requires preparation, training, and a willingness to make mistakes and learn from them, much like speaking.

Stout, Stew, Luck, and Bread of the Irish