This was not only my first time baking an AFC, it was also the first time tasting one. When I smelled it, it has something familiar about it but I couldn't put my finger on it. After a little while it came to me: it smells like a cross between cotton candy and marshmallows. The texture was absolutely wonderful. Soft, tender, really moist, and light. It just melts in your mouth.
I shared some of the cake with my friend and her family on Saturday. I also took some of the cake to work today. Everybody loved it.
I also baked oatmeal cookies. Michelle from Flourchild was kind enough to share her blue ribbon recipe with me. To bring out more oat flavor out of the oats, I decided to toast them in the oven before adding them to the dough. I think it made a difference. I also used turbinado sugar to roll the cookies in (instead of granulated sugar). The cookies tasted great! Even without raisins or nuts. They were nice and chewy without being too sweet. Thanks Michelle!
I have never seen an angel food cake decorated so beautifully! I've actually only made them from mixes before, so thanks for the link to the recipe, definitely sounds worth trying.
ReplyDeleteYour AFC looks beautiful! Its funny because when I was reading about how you were trying to identify the familiar smell, marshmallows were the first things that popped into my head.
ReplyDeleteI was very lucky to get the opportunity to try the oatmeal cookies and I have to say they were fantastic. I liked the little bit of sugar taste and the cookie itself was very moist and soft and chewy. Very very good. (RLM)
ReplyDeleteBoth goodies look fabulous! How wonderful of Rose to share that recipe with you before the book is even out! I love the idea of toasting the oats before putting them in the cookies, I've never tried that before, but I definitely will next time I make oatmeal cookies.
ReplyDeleteToasting the oats first?! You're a genius! I love that idea.
ReplyDeleteHi hun!
ReplyDeleteI'm so bummed and confused- I came to your site the other day and after being blown away by your beautiful cake and delicious looking oatmeal cookies, I wrote this whole LONG comment for you, and it vanished! I don't know why it never went through :( When I got your email mentioning that I hadn't left anything, I thought hmmm, maybe she missed it- but now that I checked I realized it's gone. I'm so sorry!
Let me try to re-write my message! I absolutely couldn't believe that that was your very first experience with Angel Food Cake- it came out PERFECT and looks so light, fluffy, and delicious. AFC is one of my all-time favorites, and the texture is unlike any other cake I've ever had. I think it's a really special cake, and what a treat to have a "go-to-no-fail" recipe in your repertoire. How cool is it that Rose Levy Beranbaum shared an unpublished recipe with you? That is SO neat! Unfortunately, I don't have any of her books, but I've read wonderful things about her- especially her cakes and her breads. Wouldn't it be fun to both get a copy of her upcoming release, Rose's Heavenly Cakes, and continue our baking series with a recipe from the book? That is, after we do our ATKFBB recipes together! What do you think?
And MY GOODNESS, the decoration of that cake was just breathtaking! Your endless creativity never ceases to amaze me! I wish I was there when you served that masterpiece, because I'm sure it was even more impressive in person. Oh, how I wish I could take a bite right off the screen.
I LOVE the idea of toasting the oats for the oatmeal cookies- that makes so much sense, but I've never thought about it before. I can't wait to try that technique. I think it's a detail that will really elevate your cookies to another level and set them apart. Without any add-ins, your oatmeal cookies with still sing because of their depth of flavor!
I'm so proud of all the progress you've made with your contest entries, and I bet you're almost done with your incredibly long list. I'm routing for you and keeping my fingers crossed, but I know that's unnecessary, because your talent will definitely take you to the top!
I think that's about everything I had included in my missing comment, but I still have more to tell you, so I'll definitely be emailing soon. I've fallen behind a bit with my correspondence because I've been really sick all week, but I trying to catch up. Not to worry though, you are definitely in my thoughts, and I can't wait to talk to you soon!
Hope all is well my dear- keep me updated on your progress, and if you've got any pictures, please send them my way! Are you gonna share your soon to be award winning recipes with me? I hope so! Looking forward to hearing from you again soon :)
<3,
Joy