Blackberry cake and snow storm

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We are having a very bad snow storm here. It feels like we are in Alaska(I am exaggerating a bit). The temperatures have dropped suddenly to one digit (in Fahrenheit). So thats what I wanted to create on this cake.

My latest interest is to create marzipan. I had heard about this name before but had no idea what it was. But then I came across Deeba’s gorgeous creations here. So I wanted to give it a try. If I know something about Marzipan today, its because of Deeba. Thanks Deeba for the recipe. Day before yesterday, after postponing it for too long, I made something like a marzipan (I am saying that because I didn’t follow the method exactly). But then I was too tired to make anything with it, so I just wrapped it in a plastic wrap and kept in refrigerator. Today when I reached home, I wanted to finish that off, because I was a bit worried that it may get spoiled.

Then I saw a picture of these cute little humans with snow costumes in a “cupcake fun” book. So I decided to make them. When I started, I had great plans of how this cake would turn up. But once again I realized today that I should not attempt such things on weekdays. By the time I finished this, I was totally exhausted and it had turned out quite different than the intended cake. Whatever that is, V had a huge smile on his face when he saw the cake. So every bit of the effort was worth.

I chose the blackberry cake because I had bought these berries few days ago and they were sitting in fridge without being used. Recently aayi read somewhere about the medicinal value of different berries, so she promptly told us to eat them. As usual, I bought them, but I had no idea what to make with them. I initially wanted to go with muffins, but I had to use up the marzipan also, I thought of making a cake. The cake was very delicious.

Marzipan (This is not the actual recipe, this is what I followed. Read Deeba’s recipe for actual marzipan):
150gms (1 cup) almonds
150 gms(1 and 1/2 cups) confectioner’s sugar
1 tea spn almond extract (I used vanilla extract)
A pinch salt

Method:
Heat about 2 cups of water. When it starts boiling, add the almonds. Cook for about 1-2mins. Take off the heat and take out the almonds on a clean kitchen towel.
Peel off the skin of almonds. Grind it to a powder(Smoother the powder, better the final product). In actual recipe, it is first dried and then powdered. But I skipped the drying part.
Now add salt, sugar. Add about 2 tbl spn of water and mix into a tight dough (add water little by little).
Take out small balls of marzipan, add food color.

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Whipped cream
236 ml pack of whipping cream
1/2 cup (50gms) sugar
1 tea spn vanilla extract
1/2 tea spn cream of tartar

Method:
Mix all and beat at high speed till soft peaks form.

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(Thanks Arjuna for the tip about cream of tartar, which helps the cream hold shape)

Blackberry cake:
170gms (6oz) blackberries
1 cup all purpose flour
3/4 cup sugar
1 egg
1/2 cup(1 stick) butter
1/2 cup milk
1 and 1/2 tea spn baking powder
A pinch salt

Method:
Preheat the oven at 350F for about 10mins.
Bring the butter to room temperature. Mix sugar. Then add egg, milk and beat well.
Now add the dry ingredients baking powder, salt and flour little at a time mixing continuously. Once everything is incorporated, add the blackberries and beat again.

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Grease a oven proof baking dish with butter. Then pour the mixture and bake in oven at 350F for about 30mins or till a fork inserted in the middle comes out clean.

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Let the cake cool completely.

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Assembling:
Spread the whipping cream on the cake. Then decorate as required. This can be served without decoration also.

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37 thoughts on “Blackberry cake and snow storm”

  1. Hey, Its such a cute cake Shilpa :)..Love those little men and the house. I am so afraid of all these decorations somehow, no clue at all..Nice touch with the blackberries..

  2. Shilpa..what an effort! Lovely Men in snow! The cake looks truly awesome with snow effect!I want a bite too!! (I had read in joy of baking that beating the berries will change the colour of the batter, hence while using berries, they need to be added in the end of the process, and just folded into batter with a spoon.)

    Shilpa: Poornima, I wanted the berries to get mixed well. Mainly because the whole berries in the cake do not appeal to me :(. I have tried folding them before, but by mixing, they become small pieces, just the way I like. But its a good tip, thanks.

  3. you made me smile tooooo 🙂 those cute lil ones are really adorable 🙂 i havent tried my hands on creating such figures….admire your energy and dedication!

    Shn

  4. It looks adorable. I am not a marzipan or cream fan but this one almost wants me make eat those little guys :)So now when I need cute cakes I know who to call home 🙂

  5. It looks cute as well as delicious. Can I stop by ? Weather is not so good here either anyway 🙂

    Shilpa: We would be so happy if you do that. I am ready to give any kind of bribe to make you come down :D.

  6. Shilpa, just a friendly suggestion – the ingredients say bluberries and title says blackberry cake.

    Shilpa: Thanks Meera for the correction. I have updated it.

  7. Love those cute little humans with snow costumes. Your icing looks so gooooood!!!
    Haven’t baked anytime with any berries. The cake has come so perfect round with blackberries seen. V’s big smile must have made you feel very happy after a tiring day.

  8. Look at those snowmen ? Arent they sooo…… cute ? I loved them Shilpa.
    this is really a good idea to make blue berry cake, healthy too , right?
    you are really too creative dear…
    keep on shaing cute dishes… :))

  9. Hi Shilpa,

    Tht’s a lovely cake..By watching it only, It is tempting me to try this kind of icing..

    My only question is …
    Can I store the Marzepan/the shapes which I make, in freeze for 2-3 days..Bcoz It may not be possible for me to do it in a single sitting bocz of kids..

    Thanks,
    Deepa..

    Shilpa: You need not freeze them Deepa.Just refrigerate. They remain good.

  10. Sooo cute! I have said this soo many times, but I can’t help repeating it… you are such a talented girl!

    We had some snow this week too… just enough to make driving hell, but not enough to get us a day off… 🙁 What a waste…

  11. Shilpa, I missed out on your posts lately…last time your blog was undergoing administrative settings…
    Firstly the cake looks great….with the figures n all…I will answer ur questions soon …as am traveling now!!
    Also its really nice to see your craft stuff put up…Its great to see your other facets too…..great talent !!!
    Waiting to see more of your stuff…Keep it going!!!

    Shilpa: Thanks Swati. Its not urgent, I am just collecting the info about classes so that when I go back, I can check on them. No hurry at all. Please reply when you have free time. Thanks a lot.

  12. Dear Shilpa.

    Really admire ur talent.I have been checking ur website since six months. I have kept in my fav column. Actually I got the inspiration to share my recipes and that promted me to have a blogspot of own.

    Thanks

  13. hi shilpa have u made those humans with marzipan?and then you have colured them right?
    and secondly in the recipe for marzipan you have mentioned that 2 tbsp water has to be added little by little..so you are talking about those 2 tablespoon water right?
    is marzipan similar to fondant?
    please reply shilpa..please

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