Miette’s Tomboy Cake
At my old job, I would spend my lunch breaks wandering up and down Glenferrie Rd. Into lovely homeware shops and book shops a lot of the time. I flicked through the Miette book a couple of times, and loved it’s pretty scalloped pages, and girly pictures. One day I caved in a bought it… and then never cooked from it.
At my new job, I was talking to our lovely receptionist one day and for some reason the book came into conversation. She also bought the book but never cooked from it. I finished our little convo by saying I would make something from it and bring it into work before she left. As she was due to leave us to have a baby, I was hoping and praying that she would be having a girl so I could make her this cake as a going away celebration. Luck was on my side and I could make the signature cake that appears on the front of the book.
I was a bit doubtful about it; converting all the measurements from American to Australian – cup sizes vary, temperatures, etc. Melting chocolate in hot water too made me extremely doubtful. Having never really made a true buttercream before I was doubtful again… and with the eye popping amount of butter involved I was paranoid it wouldn’t have any flavour. But with the raspberry juice in it, it was some of the best frosting ever!
I smuggled the cake into work in my cake carrier under a black cloth as I knew I’d have to walk past our receptionist. It looked like I was bringing a cat into work 😛 When she saw the cake later on that day, she knew exactly which book it came from and was so excited to taste it! Yay!
Everyone who tried a piece loved it… that or they were just being nice 😉 haha! Some comments I got were “that was the lightest chocolate cake I’ve ever had”, and “omg are there real berries in this frosting!?!”.
A keeper for sure, but as I can’t be bothered working out all the conversions from American to Australian again, please check the recipe out here. If you do make it, look up cup conversions too. When I get time, I’ll update with the recipe.
We miss you Renata, and good luck with the delivery in the not so distant future if you haven’t popped already!! x
Lianne
What a pretty cake and I love the pink colour, great contrast! Your colleagues are so lucky to have you, definitely a gem! xx
Emanuela
Ahhhh gorgeous! I love Miette’s book.. it is beautiful isn’t it! Its lovely to see you cooking something from it. I might just have to get it off my book shelf and cook from it myself 🙂 xx
Daisy@Nevertoosweet
I love the Miette book!!! I’ve picked it up so many times but then put it back because I usually steer away from American cook books just like you said because of the conversions! Really hope you’ll update the recipe soon 🙂
Maureen | Orgasmic Chef
I have two sets of cups and spoons and my scales bat for both teams – this cake will be in my kitchen! It’s so beautiful!
Keren
Love the plates you have in these shots, the bird one is gorgeous. The cake looks pretty stunning too! I’ve always been put off by having to convert measurements but it sure looks like you pulled it off.
Hannah
Babe, you could make that cake for any gender. It would look and taste just as delicious.
tania@mykitchenstories.com.au
It looks beautiful and almost exactly like the original. I have this book too and although I love it I have only made 1 thing from it
Michelle @ The Bakeanista
I don’t think they were being nice… I’m sure it tasted just as amazing as it looks!!! Super love the pink colour – too pretty. I hope you update with the recipe too so I can make this for my colleague who is going away on mat leave to deliver her bub #2!
Helen (Grab Your Fork)
I remember seeing this on your IG feed and thinking this was the prettiest cake ever!
Tina @ bitemeshowme
Such a pretty cake Shellie! LOVE IT!
Cara @ Gourmet Chick
Just wow! You are the best baker Shellie – stunning looking.
Heidi - Apples Under My Bed
Oh, lady. You’re a star!! This is stunning. I wish I worked with you!!
Heidi xo
GourmetGetaways
What a gorgeous looking cake!
I love the cute little flowers too, it has never occured to me to use raspberry in my frosting, I am going to have to try it 🙂
Agnes
So, so pretty. You must’ve been a professional cake baker in a past life (you’re almost a professional cake baker in this life too).