August 13, 2012
Afternoon-Tea Tea Cake
I am a tea lover
MiddleC is very well trained and puts the kettle on as soon as she stumbles into the kitchen in the morning so it's ready for when I stumble into the kitchen in the morning. I don't feel ready to start the day until I've had at least one cup of my favourite Dilmah Earl Grey...... or maybe two.
I have a fancy-pantsy De Longhi coffee machine that does everything a coffee machine should do and more, but it sits there on the bench while I dunk my little baggie into my mug of hot water and wait for the magic to happen.
I needed to make a cake for afternoon tea, for when littlej stumbles into the kitchen after a hard day at school. This one has dried fruit, fresh fruit, and Tea. Just what you need mid-afternoon to keep you going until dinner, with a bit of an extra kick from the tea.
Afternoon Tea Tea Cake
2/3 cup dried Dates
2/3 cup Sultanas
2 Apples
1 1/2 cup SR gluten free Flour
150g Butter or dairy free alternative
4 Eggs
3/4 cup strong Tea
3/4 cup Brown Sugar
1 tsp Vanilla
1 tsp Bicarb Soda
First things first, boil the kettle and brew a good, strong cup of tea. I used Dilmah Earl Grey, my absoloute favourite tea in the world. So fragrant and refreshing, perfect for a pick-me-up any time of the day or evening
Put the dates, sultanas, hot tea and bicarb in a bowl and let steep for about 10 minutes. This will soften the fruit and help break down the fibres
Blitz in a food processor/blender/ or even easier use a stick blender to whizz it all up until nice and smooth
Add in the eggs, butter, vanilla and sugar and beat well
Grate the apples- I don't bother to peel them,
then add in to the mix with the flour and mix through until thouroughly combined
Pop into a greased loaf pan and bake at 160*C for about 50 minutes until nicley browned and cooked through all the way
I burnt mine juuuust a little, but nothing that a quick trim and flipping the cake over can't fix. My excuse is that I was trying out my new Convection/Grill/Microwave Oven and it was the first time I baked anything in it. I think I've figured it out now, and next time will know to pop it on the rack to allow for even cooking instead of opening the door all the time to fiddle with it :)
Serve your cake with, of course, another lovely cuppa for a lovely afternoon tea snack. A smear of butter is yummy, but not strictly necessary- I'll leave that to you and your wasteline to decide. I think I'll sit in the sun and read a good book while I nibble and sip my steamy cup of Earl Grey, then I'll be ready to take on the rest of the day.
So Dear Readers, are you a tea or coffee fan, and which blend is your favourite?
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I have recently become quite a tea lover!
ReplyDeleteWelcome to the club Lisa!
DeleteIm obsessed with tea. Im a regular black or English Brekkie tea girl myself. Although I can be swayed with some of the flavoured green teas. This cake would be perfect with anything though really ;)
ReplyDeleteSome of those green teas are lovely aren't they Nic? I just heard of a green earl grey and can hardly wait to try it!
DeleteDefinitely a tea fan! I drink 1-2 cups a day and I look forward to it :D
ReplyDeleteI look forward to mine too Lorraine, I NEED it to help start my day!
DeleteWhat a lovely cake and treat to come home to after a cold and long day at school. And I loved your comment on my blog post today - yes, in Sydney we are wimps when it comes to the cold xx
ReplyDeleteDon't worry Charlie, I'm a complete wuss about humidity :) It just about leaves me gasping on the floor in a puddle!
DeleteWhat a great cake for any occasion. Yum! I would have that with coffee or tea!
ReplyDeleteThanks Ina! Perfect for either :)
DeleteI'm with you Bec - I need at least two cups of tea in the morning before my brain reaches optimal performance. Cake helps too.
ReplyDeleteCake helps with EVERYTHING Amanda! :)
DeleteCoffee please, strong-dark-rich (I like my men the same way :-) )
ReplyDeleteI can smell that cake from here - and I would slather it with butter... I a Kiwi - it's the law!
How about milky looking and sweet Janet? That's more my kinda guy :) The butter slathering is optional :P
Deleteoh! I adore tea. This is beautiful, love the way you wrote this post :) stumbling into the kitchen, I shall put on the kettle now too.
ReplyDeleteHeidi xo
Thanks Heidi! That's really the way it is though :) I wish I could pop around for a cuppa with you!
DeleteWe have a well trained middle C too. Nothing like your first cuppa int he morning! Anne Marie @FD
ReplyDeleteThat's so true! The scented steam helps to pry my eyes open Anne Marie :)
DeleteThe day doesn't start until I've had a coffee, but I loves me some Twining's Traditional Afternoon tea. To me it tastes like tea is supposed to (and most don't).
ReplyDeleteIt sure is hard to get just the right blend of tea isn't it? Twinings make some great ones for sure
DeleteDelicious Becca! I'm always up for a cup of tea, although it's always herbal these days.. :)
ReplyDeleteI've been trying out some lately too Celia, but I still need a hit now and then :)
DeleteAny ideas what I could replace the dried fruit with? Being fructose intolerant I cannot have them.
ReplyDeleteHmm..I think you could probably replace them with any thick fruit puree or even sweet potato or pumpkin puree. Sweet potato would also help keep down the GI index, dates are very high! Hope that helps?
DeleteThanks! I never thought of pumpkin puree. Awesome idea!
Deletechai for stumbling out in the morning for me and decaf coffee for out and about.
ReplyDeleteI recently bought myself my first teapot... feel like a real adult now!
Real caffine coffee gives me the shakes something dreadful Brydie! A tea pot is a real investment in the future isn't it? Now you just need a pretty cosy :)
DeleteI like coffee and tea on equal grounds. I know... it's really odd behaviour but I can't choose!
ReplyDeleteMaybe you should try a Yuanyang drink, it's a tea/coffee hybrid mix! That way you can love them both equally :)
DeleteTea has been on my list of things to explore more in my cooking for such a long time. I can imagine this tastes great and would be such a nice thing to give the little ones after a big day at school. You are such a nice mummy....
ReplyDeleteAwww thanks Sherilyn! I sure hope my kiddies think so too! They better,that's for sure if they want more cakes :)
Deletei've always wanted to cook something with tea!
ReplyDeletebut i am a coffee lover, although chai can sometimes challenge my love...
Chai almost straddles both sides of the fence doesn't it Muppy? My older daughter just loves it too :)
DeleteDear InTolerant Chef,
ReplyDeleteI'm not a coffee drinker although I love the aromas. My favourite is tea, honey and lemon.
Coffee does smell awesome, doesn't it? I make tea like that when I don't feel well, and it makes me feel better just with the taste :)
ReplyDelete