Monday, May 27, 2013

Daring Bakers - Prinsesstarta



I joined Daring Bakers oh so long ago now so that I could make pretty cakes.  The strawberry mirror cake inspired me to join, and while we make all kinds of things, pretty cakes are still my favourite things to make.  This month, I got to fulfil a long held ambition to make a particular type of pretty cake that I first saw on Anne's Food

Korena of Korena in the Kitchen was our May Daring Bakers’ host and she delighted us with this beautiful Swedish Prinsesstårta!

Prinsesstårta is a traditional Swedish cake, comprising layers of fluffy sponge sandwiched together with red jam, crème patisserie and cream, then covered with (usually) bright green marzipan and topped off with a pink marzipan rose:



I think it took me so long to get around to making this cake because it all sounds rather daunting.  However, since I first discovered Prinsesstårta, I have made the individual components many times for other recipes, so this one didn't phase me.

I used store bought marzipan tinted with green gel colouring, and for the jam, I chose strawberry (as I have a huge pot of it).  For some reason, this custard recipe did not like me and it split - I wonder if this is because it contains cream rather than milk, which is what I am used to using to make crème patisserie.  The custard never quite came back together and it chilled with a nasty hard fat layer on top, which I removed.  Starting again isn't an option when several egg yolks are involved. I also rolled my marzipan a little too thin because I was 30g short of the recipe requirement (as marzipan is sold here in 250g boxes), so it tore a little in a few places.  I disguised my sins with little marzipan leaves cut from the offcuts placed discreetly over the tears.

In the end,  none of this mattered - I received high praise from the recipients of this cake:


They didn't know about my trials and tribulations, and I didn't tell them.  I have to say that Prinsesstårta tastes delicious - a heavenly cake fit for royalty. 

Thanks to Korena for setting this challenge.  She will have the recipe.  To check out what the other Daring Bakers made of this month's challenge, you can visit the slide show on the Daring Kitchen website in due course.

14 comments:

Kayte said...

Your cake is so pretty, and it looks delicious as well. You are the cake bakingest person I know, it is always fun to come and visit here and see what special cake you have created next. Lucky recipients indeed!

Liz That Skinny Chick Can Bake said...

What a beautiful cake! Makes me wish I was part of DB again. Well done!

Korena said...

Pretty cake challenges are always my favorite, and I'm so glad this challenge gave you the chance to finally make a prinsesstårta! I'm sorry about the custard - a few people had problems with it and I feel awful :( But it sounds like the cake was still a hit, and so pretty. Great job and thanks for baking with me this month :)

Unknown said...

ooooh.. gorgeous! I haven't got around to making mine but I will... I have been inspired! Beautiful work!

Cher Rockwell said...

So pretty!
This was a fun one. I forgot today was the 27th - I guess I better get posting...

Unknown said...

Great job! I really enjoyed this challenge. Your cake really looks delicious!

Jenni said...

Great job! Your princess cake looks great! I had some difficulties with mine as well, but they sure do taste delicious!

Evelyn said...

Your Princesstarta looks gorgeous!!
I am not surprised your recipients loved it. I know I would!

Cathleen | My Culinary Mission said...

Such a pretty cake! I have heard this is a delicious cake though I have never had a princess cake. On a side note: You should pull Grace's book out (Stir-Frying to the Sky's Edge)it is fabulous! We just had our one year anniversary of cooking through this book and I think only two recipes I thought of as OK. The rest have been great. You should join us over at Wok Wednesdays!

Cakelaw said...

Cathleen, subject to what happens with WWDH, I may do that - I adore Asian food.

Johanna GGG said...

I love to look at pretty cakes but some of them are not ones that I enjoy eating - this one is one of those - I adore your photos of it esp the top one and the green icing is so gorgeous but I am not one for creamy fillings. But I am glad you have ticked off another cake that you wanted to make

Anonymous said...

Such a lovely cake. Smart idea to cover the not so perfect spots with leaves- nobody needs to know !

Mr. P said...

Gorgeous gorgeous gorgeous gorgeous!

Anonymous said...

I LOVE your cake!
Fantastic job!
And I just realised you were in Manly on your weekend in Sydney, that's my home town!
Hope you liked it :)