Nate Bakes A Spice Cake with Figs for Aladdin

For Aladdin, I baked a lemon honey olive oil cake, with a mascarpone citrus scented whipped cream and macerated figs, topped off with sesame brittle and a little bit of gold leaf. I came up with this recipe because I took a lot of middle eastern ingredients and flavors, where Aladdin takes place, and made them into a dessert that could be made for any occasion.

Recipe:

Lemon Honey Olive Oil Cake Recipe:

Ingredients:

1 2/3 cups flour

2 teaspoons baking powder

Zest of 2 lemons

1/2 teaspoon salt

4 eggs yolks, 3 egg whites: separated

1 cup honey

1/2 cup olive oil

Juice of 2 lemons

1/2 cup milk

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees, and oil a 9x13 pan.

2. Combine the flour, baking powder, lemon zest, and salt. Stir to combine.

3. Into the same bowl, add the egg yolks, honey, olive oil, lemon juice, and milk. Continue to stir until combined.

4. In a separate bowl, whisk the egg whites to stiff peaks. Slowly fold in the egg white to the batter, being careful not to knock all of the air out.

5. Add the batter to the pan, and cook for 12-18 minutes, or until golden brown and a tooth pick comes out clean.

Mascarpone Citrus scented whipped cream:

Ingredients:

1 1/2 cups heavy cream, whipped to medium peaks

3/4 cup mascarpone

Zest of 1 lemon

1/2 cup honey

Instructions:

1. Combine the whipped cream, mascarpone, lemon zest, and honey.

2. Stir until combined, either through folding, or a whisk. Stir until fully combined, but be careful not over mix, it will turn into BUTTER!

Macerated Figs:

Ingredients:

6 figs, 1/8th

1/2 teaspoon balsamic vinegar

1 teaspoon lemon juice

1/2 cup sugar

Instructions:

1. Combine the figs, balsamic, lemon juice, and sugar in a bowl, stir until fully combined.

Sesame Brittle:

Ingredients:

3/4 cup sugar

1/4 cup honey

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon of ground nutmeg

1/4 teaspoon cinnamon

1 Tbsp water

1 cup white sesame seeds

2 teaspoons butter

1/2 teaspoon of baking soda

Instructions:

1. Combine the sugar, honey, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and water in a sauce pan over high heat. Stir until combined and an amber color.

2. Once amber colored, add the sesame seeds. Stir until combined.

3. Add the butter and stir until melted.

4. Add the baking soda and stir until just combined.

5. Pour over parchment paper on a sheet pan. Freeze for 15 minutes.

Plating:

Cut the cake into triangles. Take two of the triangles and prepare to plate. Place one triangle down, and cover in whipped mascarpone cream. Add figs and other triangle on top. Place sesame brittle on top, and drizzle with honey. If you have it, place gold leaf organically on top.

ENJOY!!!