Lemon Chiffon Cake
So my birthday is almost here. Wednesday I will be turning the big 32. Yep, thirty-two. I don't mind the whole getting older thing, the thing that is weird is that I don't feel 32. When did I become a thirty-something? I still feel like I an 18 year old who should not be allowed to live by myself, drink alcohol,or let alone live with a guy! (Or 2 guys for that matter if you count Chumley) 32 is seriously adult.
Maybe one day I will wake up and feel like an adult but I certainly don't know when. So in honor of my upcoming birthday, I thought I would make myself my most favorite cake in the entire world (because you can do that when you are a grownup). This cake is seriously the best. The Lemon Chiffon Cake from Tartine Bakery is one of the top five in my book.
I was first introduced to this cake when I moved to SF and it was love at first sight.I am not the only one. This cake has reached cult status in the Tartine world and is their most popular cake. Layers of tender lemon chiffon cake with caramel and lemon cream sandwiched in between, all covered with a dreamy Italian meringue that has been burnt with a blow torch. This cake is the stuff that dreams are made of. Plus, I think I like desserts better when they involve a blow torch.
I introduced Luke to this cake and he is also a big fan. We actually wanted this as our wedding cake but logistically it was a nightmare. Instead I whip this recipe out whenever there is a special occasion. I am actually heading home to Florida for Thanksgiving and am thinking of making a Key Lime version of this cake for my nephew's christening. (You could also do orange and make it like a creamsicle cake!)
This cake takes a little bit of time and effort but if you have someone who loves lemon (or frankly just loves cake) make this for them. There are somethings that can be easily changed to make it more of a user-friendly cake - like buying pre-made caramel and even buying pre-made lemon curd and lighten it with whipped cream to make a lemon cream. Sadly there is not short cut for the meringue but it is pretty easy if you have a Kitchen Aid. Plus whoever you make this cake for will be uber impressed that you own a blow torch!
Enjoy!
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P.S. I wanted to show you where I took this picture. This is not my normal spot but I was running out of light in my apartment so I ran to the only window that had light and I managed to capture the beautiful sunset. That cake has the best seat in the house!
