WHEN YOU WANT A DIFFERENT DESSERT BUT EASY TO MAKE

Almond, Elderflower and Lime Travel Cakes

                                                                                            © Kate Mathis

Recipe by William Werner

Ingredients

Cakes

10 ounces almond paste, broken into 1-inch pieces (1 cup)

3 large eggs

2 1/2 tablespoons cornstarch

Pinch of salt

4 1/2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted and cooled

1 tablespoon St-Germain or other elderflower liqueur

Icing

2 cups confectioners' sugar

2 1/2 tablespoons heavy cream

2 1/2 tablespoons St-Germain or other elderflower liqueur

1 1/2 teaspoons fresh lime juice

1/2 teaspoon finely grated lime zest, plus zest strips for decorating

Directions

1.      MAKE THE CAKES: Preheat the oven to 350° and spray 2 mini-muffin pans with vegetable oil spray. In a food processor, pulse the almond paste several times until broken into small pieces; don't overprocess or the paste will become oily. Add the eggs and pulse until smooth. Add the cornstarch and salt and pulse until smooth. Add the butter and St-Germain and pulse until incorporated.

2.      Scrape the batter into a small pitcher and pour it into the muffin cups, filling them about two-thirds full. Bake for about 22 minutes, until the cakes are golden, puffed and firm to the touch. Transfer the pans to a rack and cool for 20 minutes, then invert the cakes onto the rack to cool completely.

3.      MAKE THE ICING: In a bowl, mix the confectioners' sugar, cream, St-Germain and lime juice. Using a handheld mixer, beat at low speed until smooth. Beat in the 1/2 teaspoon of grated lime zest. Spoon the icing over the cakes, allowing it to drip down the sides. Garnish with lime zest before serving.

                                              Posted by Chef Bill Brooks, Corporate Chef, U.S. Foodservice, Inc

Opinions expressed are my own and do not necessarily

reflect those of U.S. Foodservice, Inc