Thursday, December 1, 2011

French nectarine cake

With sunset coloured skin a firm nectarine is a sight to behold.

A peach with a 'Brazilian' (or as some say, shaved or fuzz-free) the nectarine does not get the quantity of poems or songs written about it as the typical peach inspires. I am one of the few who turn their nose up at the furry peach and instead would rather sink their teeth into a nectarine's smooth flesh. I am also one of the even fewer who prefer their nectarines as hard as the stones that lie at their heart. I adore tearing out chunks and crunching audibly beneath the shade of leafy tree, no ambrosia juices flowing down my chin please...

If a nectarine strays too far into the realm of softness I scurry to find other culinary uses and in the past have found few. Thanks to the internet and food bloggers in particular who are always finding ways to salvage fruit whose toes are edging past ripeness I stumbled upon this beauty which instead of burying my stone fruit, redefines it as a baked good triumph. Now I can happily buy more nectarines than my mouth can eat knowing, should they become as soft as my daughter's cheek, they will not go to waste, instead being reborn into something scrumptious.


ease: 4.5/5.
prep time: 15mins.
cooking time: 50mins.
total: 1hour & 5mins.

taste: 4/5. Buttery, bright sweetness.

Nectarines are my favourite fruit so rarely do they last long in my home. With baby however I have been ordering my shopping online which means someone else has been picking my fruit. I prefer my rosy-blushed orbs to be extra crunchy, so when a bag arrived with extremely ripe, juicy nectarines I had to find a recipe to use them up pronto. At first I was dubious about nectarines working in a cake, but let me tell you, they WORKED IT, big time.
The cake itself is a buttery delight and sweet with a gorgeous crumb. The nectarines work their magic by adding fresh tartness and making the cake a perfect sunny afternoon treat.

The original recipe uses 4 small nectarines, I would use 5 or 6 as I wanted more pockets of delectable tanginess. I also used half a lemon zest as my lemon was rather large and I wanted the nectarines to shine.

would I make it again: Yes.

recipe: http://www.mygermankitchen.com/2011/09/gateau-fondant-aux-nectarines-moist.html

16 comments:

  1. A great cake! I'd love a slice now with my tea.

    Cheers,

    Rosa

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  2. Ha, I like your description of the nectarine! I've never had them in cakes before but it sounds good.

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  3. This looks wonderful. Stone fruit doesn't last long in my house either, but I think I'd buy a few extra to give this recipe a go.

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  4. It's pretty stunning! Will have to wait til summer in NY but I think this cake is worth the wait...

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  5. What a gorgeous looking cake!

    You write so well. I really want to try making this cake today :D

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  6. That is a glorious photo of the cake! *sigh* I have truly given up on cakes now :(

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  7. Leaf - haha thanks :)
    Tenille - definitely do!
    Pam - yep, I am now a fan as well.
    Nicole - definitely keep it in mind once Summer rolls back around.
    Leah - haha thanks Leah, finding it hard to come up with words with the lack of sleep!
    msihua - Don't give up!

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  8. I've never had nectarines in any form but raw, but this looks really simple and delicious!

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  9. Do you know, I don't think I've ever made a cake with nectarines. It sounds delicious and I really like the looks of this...makes a lovely presentation.

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  10. Yum, yum. yum! I often use nectarines in galettes. Thinly sliced and layered on rectangles of puff pastry, sprinkle with sugar and butter the edge of the pastry. Bake till puffed and golden and glaze with melted apricot jam.

    But this cake looks like a wonderful thing to try.

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  11. What a lovely creation.This sounds truly delicious. This is my first visit to your blog, so I've spent some time browsing through your earlier entries. I'm so glad I did that. I really like the food and recipes you share with your readers and I'll definitely be back. I hope you have a great day. Blessings...Mary

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  12. Barbara - my first time cooking a nectarine as well!
    Lisa - Love to try a galette next
    Mary - Aw thanks Mary :) Have a nice day too

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  13. Oh, stunning! You're so right, nectarines was really something special. I am positively thrilled that they're in season!
    Heidi xo

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  14. Thanks for the recipe. I just made this cake! Delicious.

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  15. Simply gorgeous!!!! Like you, I turn up my nose at peaches in favour of nectarines but i differ in that I love them when they are perfectly rip and juicy. In fact I have a nectarine in the fruit bowl that is begging to be enjoyed ;)

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