When I first saw this idea in the new Nigella, I almost fainted. The idea of a maple and pecan stuffing in the center of light and fluffy cake was too much for me. I decided to change the recipe slightly by making a coffee cake instead of a regular vanilla one and the flavours worked so well.
My husband (cinnabon freak) said that this was like a cinnabon cake. And he was right. The cinnamon, suryp and pecans all work together to create a really lovely gooey, fragrant and crunchy filling. Gosh, I’m drooling just thinking about it. And with the Holidays coming up, nothing is stopping you from getting stuck in the kitchen and baking some lovely things for your family.
But I also know that you don’t want to spend day and night in the kitchen over the holidays so it’s best to be prepared. This week, we are giving away a copy of “Dinner in the Freezer” courtesy of Penguin Publishers. This fabulous book contains recipes that are easy to freeze and what a great way to be prepared for the silly season. What I really loved about this book is that there is a great “freezer tips” section as well as a freezer packaging section which comes in very handy. Who new you could freeze Chicken Chilli Burgers, Thai Crab Cakes and Mixed Fish Kebabs. And of course there are recipes for Moussaka, Fish & Leek pie and and the beautiful Gruyere, potato and thyme tartlets. They’ve even included a few very yummy-looking ice-cream recipes.
This really is a great book to have, no matter what the season but I think now that everyone is going to get increasingly busier, this is just the thing to stuff into someones Christmas stocking. And if you’re lucky enough, you’ll get it right here, for free. All you need to do to win this copy, is to comment on this post with 3 things that you would love to see me cook. And don’t worry about making them too easy. I’m trying to challenge myself more and more in the kitchen so with this, you guys help me do that AND you get to see ‘your’ recipe on the blog. All the entries will be thrown into a hat and Next Thursday the winner will be drawn. (Only people residing in South Africa need enter)
Makes 1 standard size bundt cake
Filling:
75g flour
30g butter
1tsp cinnamon
200g pecans, chopped
125ml maple syrup
Cake:
300g flour
2tsp baking powder
125g butter
200g caster sugar
2 eggs
250ml fat-free yoghurt
50ml strong coffee
- Pre-heat the oven to 180°c and prepare the bundt tin by greasing it well.
- For the filling : Mix the flour with the. softened butter. Mix well and add the other ingredients. Mix to incorporate all the ingredients.
- Cream the butter and sugar and add the flour and eggs alternating between the two. Finish with the flour.
- Add the yoghurt and mix well. The batter will be quite thick.
- Spoon some of the mixture into the bottom of the cake tin and spread it up the sides so that when you put the filling in, it doesn’t touch the cake tin.
- Now add the filling and spread it evenly followed by the rest of the cake batter.
- Bake the cake for 35-40 minutes. The cake is done when a skewer inserted into the cake part comes out clean.
- Allow to cool for 10 minutes in the tin then turn out onto a wire rack to cool completely.
hi ally! i tried this recipe this morning and it turned out fantastic – best cake ive ever had. thank u SO much (and i m a novice at baking btw) it didnt turn out as dark as urz although i baked it for 40 mins but still so good and so soft and moist – im supposed to serve it for dinner tonite as my sister and her family r coming over and ive already had two pieces of it hahah (in my defense, i just wanted to make sure i wouldn’t be poisoning my guests)
first time reading your blog and already enjoying it! I have been searching various food blogs for:
1. A nice Chicken Korma recipe
2. creme brulee
3. A nice cupcake recipe (all the recipes I have, I dont enjoy the icing)
Ditto for the macaron idea. Just because I’m scared of them too, so I’ll watch you suffer first. Evil, right?
And for my other two choices… mmm what about a vegetable terrine and a summery pavlova?
1. Baked Alaska
2. a sweet Souffle
3. a whole stuffed turkey
Thanks for the brilliant site! 🙂
Trudy : The one year we’re not doing a giant turkey and you ask for it lol. I always use my granny’s recipe and IF we decided to do one this year, I’ll definitely post the recipe. 🙂
– Something different with bananas – we have bananas in our garden and am tired of making banana bread and muffins.
– A different make ahead salad to take to a braai – always nice to take something unusual
– sooji (indian pudding with taystee wheat – I always buy it around Diwali time)
Thanks for your inspiraton:)
3 things…will have to think a bit.
1. A low fat pie made with phyllo pastry. Preferably something with chicken, leeks and mushroom.
2. Low fat vegetarian lasagna
3. Some thai food. I have never had thai but would love to attempt it.
Wow… You sure have some huge requests coming out… I was hoping something summary…
1 A cold tomato soup
2 Chicken mezze of sorts
3 Mille feulle…. My Favourite
Yummy! Where can I place my order? 😉
1. one of the delicious selections of indian sweet meats.
2. cape malay ‘denning vleis’
3. a good old friday night lazy evening ‘fry up’
sorry if this may seem wierd but these are the things that popped in my head..
thanx ally for the wonderfull site..
Geez you people are making it hard for me! 🙂
Ok, I’ll do The Fry up…can be fun. I’ll do The moussaka and I’ll do Tiramisu. Plus all the others I’ve promised. But you guys need to know that it’s going to take me quite some time to do all of this! 😉
I would like you to make:
1. Gulab Jamun. I have tried various recipes, but can’t seem to get it right?!
2. Sachertorte. I have had one from “Spar” but have never baked it myself.
3. Lamb ribs. I never know what to do with the lamb ribs when buying half a lamb?
Okey dokey, here goes :
1. Baklava ice cream
2. Moussaka
3. Eclairs
How about a dessert challenge:
1) croquembouche or custard flilled eclairs (unstacked)
2) tiramisu
3) new york cheesecake
The proper french marcaroons. Nothing is tastier!
Ally, my cooking challenge to you is….
1. a Christmas cookie / pie / biscuit (but not the normal ‘boring’ ones like mince pies)
2. a health bread (seeds and raisins) that doesn’t contain yeast (if at all possible) my one cooking phobia is using yeast 🙂 i never seem to get it right!
3. a interesting dish using lentils or chickpeas that could appeal to my non-legume eating (this doesn’t have to be vegetarian)
Ally, seeing that you’re such a fundi with leke kos:
1. Nice lamb something in the slow cooker. I can’t find recipes for the slow cooker (yes I know it’s summer, but I’m craving for a stewy something) – and mine always have to much water left!
2. Melkkos for husband’s Sunday evening meal – which will by the way “must taste like my mom’s…” according to my husband.
3. Cottage Pie that’s for a week day meal. Were hungry at night and don’t want to take forever preparing the meal.
Have a wonderful day!
Hi! I would like you to make:
1. A savoury souffle
2. Macaroons
3. Roast vegetable lasagne (low fat)
Thanks!
Jen : I KNEW Someone was going to say Macarons. But I have to clarify, do you mean Macaroons (like the egg white and coconut biscuits) or proper french Macarons? I am dying to make the proper french stuff but I’m deadly afraid of them, but since I’ve been challenged, I’ll do it lol.
1. A glazed gammon.
2. Osso bucco.
3. Something with quaill’s eggs.
Cindy : I don’t eat Gammon but I’ve got a good idea…I’ll pop over to woolies and buy one lol. I’ll do the Osso Bucco next year (too much effort to do over December hehehe) and if I ever find fresh Quaill’s eggs I will happily do something with them. 🙂
I’d like to see you make something savoury using choux pastry, an easy pud to feed a crowd and something different to do with prawns.
1. Thai green curry
2. linguine alfredo (find it so hard to find a good recipe of it)
3.Baklava
Matt : ooooh I like the Baklava challenge. I have always wanted to make it but I’ve always been scared.
Sue : Oh gosh, I made Choux Pastry in high school and I’m still scared of it..but I’m sure I can do that. BUT, you’re challenge will have to wait until the new year, I’m definitely not attempting that at our holiday home. 🙂
Ok, here goes:
1. Chocolate Croissants – Because my hubby said so!
2. Something with salmon – as I have some frozen salmon that needs to be used soon – I’m thinking a pie or something!
3. A vegetable (to be served warm) for Christmas Lunch – NOT the normal every day type! Maybe something with brussel sprouts or carrots?
Chantelle : Thanx for the fab ideas. I’ll definitely do “my version” of Chocolate croissants just for your hubby hehehe. And with the salmon, I did a salmon and prawn pasta a couple of weeks ago, maybe have a look? You could also do the Kedgeree I made a while ago with salmon. 🙂