I made the orange cake twice. The first time I baked it into cupcakes and contributed them as refreshments at a gathering, never taking the opportunity to photograph or taste the cakes. So I made it again which was easy to do as the ingredients are all basic things that I always have.
The cake comes together quickly and has a lovely taste. The texture is a bit off due I think to the altitude at which I live. Had I reduced the sugar the top of the cake might have been smoother. We had no problem eating this up.
Finding matcha for the Matcha Financiers took a bit of effort. I have lots of green tea that I rarely drink, so first I wondered if I could pulverize it as a substitute for matcha. Some internet research revealed this was not a good idea. I checked two tea shops, where small pouches of matcha were on sale for $30 and $35. Further research led me to a Korean grocery store, where there was lots of tea but nothing labelled matcha in English. After studying the labels I decided that the package labelled "super premium Japanese green tea powder" might be matcha and I took the leap and bought it for $10.
At home I looked up the Japanese characters for matcha and found that I had indeed purchased matcha.
As with the orange cake the batter came together quickly. I was left with 6 egg yolks which I used to make a delicious chocolate pudding. I baked some of the financiers in mini muffin tins and some in my madeleine pan. My oven bakes hotter than I realized, and the cakes browned up a bit too much before I could pull them out. Never having baked with matcha before I used only one teaspoon, and can't really taste it at all. The flavor is mild, the almond meal is what I notice the most. I look forward to making these again with 1 1/2 teaspoons matcha.
Two great bakes. I agree that the matcha wasn't very prevalent in the flavour.
ReplyDeleteMatcha is certainly expensive. I wonder whether it is a better use of the ingredient to make something like a delicious orange cake which, like you, I'd no problem eating it up.
ReplyDeleteOh that orange cake was so delicious wasn't it? And I agree that the matcha was not as strongly flavored as I anticipated.
ReplyDeleteOh that orange cake was so delicious wasn't it? And I agree that the matcha was not as strongly flavored as I anticipated.
ReplyDeleteSuch a pretty color on your financiers! And I agree - the orange cake was simple and delicious.
ReplyDeleteI think Korean/ Asian grocery stores are the cheapest way to find this ingredient. The versions sold at the health food stores are crazy pricey.
I'm glad you decided not to use normal green tea for your financiers! Both of your bakes look great!
ReplyDeleteBoth of your baking projects turned out so well. The orange cake does have a lovely flavour and your financiers are such a pretty shade of green.
ReplyDeleteMy tasters thought the taste was subtle as well. I think they were a bit disappointed since no one had tasted it before. Both your desserts look great!
ReplyDeleteThese were both good recipes. I don't think I would make the matcha
ReplyDeletefinanciers again, but the orange cake, definitely.
I loved the orange cake! I made it twice as well, the cupcake idea is great! I wasn't that keen on the financiers but glad I finally tried matcha.
ReplyDeleteThe orange cake was a winner for me too and it's good to hear how well your turned out despite high altitude baking challenges.
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