Jan 31, 2014

Poppy seed amaretti cake


If you are thinking about poppy seeds...

Recipe adapted from Gray Apron
time: 15 min preparation + 30 min baking + 15 cooling


 ingredients 
4 oz (114 g) white chocolate, broken in pieces
3 1/2 oz (100 g) ground poppy seeds
2 oz (57 g) amaretti cookies or any other light/simple cookies
1 stick (120 g) butter, room temperature plus more to butter the form
2/3 cup (135 g) sugar
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
4 eggs, room temperature
powder sugar for sifting on top

 instructions 
Preheat the oven to 350F/180C. Butter a 10inch/26 cm round spring baking form and put it in the fridge.

In a food processor with steal blades, blend poppy seeds and cookies till fine. Melt chocolate over hot (not boiling) water.
Using a standing mixer with a paddle attachment, beat butter with sugar until light and fluffy on medium speed, about 2 minutes. Add vanilla. Add eggs, one at the time. Mix in poppy mixture and chocolate. Stir till combined.

Transfer the batter in the form. Place it in the hot oven for 30 minutes, till there is some browning on top and the toothpick from the middle comes out clean (not dry). Take it out, let it cool in the form for 15 minutes. Sift powder sugar on top.



NOTES NOTES NOTES NOTES NOTES NOTES NOTES NOTES NOTES 
  • moist, sweet, delicate...in the poppy seed version as well;
  • Chocolate amaretti cake (by Giada de Laurentiis) is one of my all time favorites; works every time;
  • I just replaced almonds with poppy seeds and dark chocolate with white chocolate;
  • poppy seeds came out smooth, not grainy, which was my concern;
  • the cake bakes rather fast, 30 minutes is the maximum; so, depending on your oven, check on the cake the last 10 minutes of baking;
  • I would not recommend using a larger baking form, smaller - OK;
  • next time, I'll line at least the bottom of my baking form with parchment paper;
  • the cake firms up as it cools...it just somehow never fast enough...
  • it's a one-day treat for the three of us.

19 comments:

  1. What an amazing cake!Love it!
    Hugs,dear!

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  2. We love poppy! This is a perfect afternoon tea accompaniment!

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  3. This is such a pretty cake Ela! I love poppy seeds and it sounds fantastic with the amareti cookies and chocolate :)

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  4. Poppy seeds and amaretti is such a great combination for a cake, looks amazing. Have a great weekend!

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  5. Anonymous2/01/2014

    Ooo, I love poppy seeds. What a great cake!
    Have a super weekend Ela,
    :-) Mandy xo

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  6. Oh my goodness, Ela, you are blowing me away with your amazing baked goods! This recipe is quite brilliant. Thanks so much for sharing. Poppy seeds are a lifelong favourite!

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  7. I love the look of this, really interesting.

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  8. Love how unique this is! I love poppy seeds :)

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  9. LOVE poppy seeds deserts; poppy seeds are here (Australia) used to top bread mainly. Luckily Easter Europe migrants use them creatively.

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    Replies
    1. ...and here in Poland..or in my home...poppy seeds were only reserved for Christmas baking.

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  10. Yum! I love your notes. I have made Giada's chocolate amaretti cake before and when I saw this, that's what I was thinking til I read your notes. I made it with my little guy and I remember how much we loved it. I need to make it again soon...and your version is a great spin off!

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    Replies
    1. Yep, it's one of Giada's best! The sad thing is that my friends call it "a brownie" :(

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  11. Anonymous2/02/2014

    wow, what a beautifull and tasty sweet bites...
    great photographed too!!!

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  12. I love the combination of the chocolate and poppy seeds - it sounds like quite an awesome combination! And this cake is gorgeous - love the photos!

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  13. What a beautiful cake!

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  14. What lovely flavors in this beauty! Perfect accompaniment for my evening tea!

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  15. Poppy seeds, amaretti that's just pure bliss with a cup of afternoon tea :)

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  16. I love poppy sedes and I love to use in baking!!! Look amazing Ela!!

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  17. A while ago we have tried an amaretti cake but with no poppy seeds. Love this idea!

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