Monthly Archives: March 2014

Mar 23 2014
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Cake

Babka

Eli's Chocolate an Raisin Nut Babkas (New York City) - Photo Courtesy of Eli's

Eli’s Chocolate and Raisin Nut Babkas (New York City) – Photo Courtesy of Eli’s

Babka is a sweet yeast cake that’s quite adaptable. According to King Arthur Flour and The New York Times, Babka (or Baba) is commonly served on Easter Sunday in many Eastern European countries and is typically baked in a fluted round tube pan.  An Americanized Eastern European Jewish version, filled with cinnamon or chocolate and topped with streusel is more like a coffee cake.  It’s often baked in a loaf pan and while it’s not a Chanukah dish, it’s often served at Chanukah.

How popular is Babka?

Zucker Bakery's Chocolate Babka

Zucker Bakery’s Chocolate Babka (New York City) – Photo Courtesy of Zucker Bakery

Melissa Feit, a baker and co-owner of New York-based Zucker Bakery, reports “Our [Chocolate] Babka has always been a bakery favorite, but it recently became more popular due to an article written about it on the Serious Eats blog.  Since then, our production has greatly increased.  We’ve talked about adding more varieties in the near future (possibly including Orange, Nutmeg, Cinnamon, etc.).  As far as trends, the weekends become busy when people partake in brunches.  And of course, holidays!”

And when both Chocolate and Cinnamon are in the Babka line-up, which is more popular?

Greens & Ackermans' Round Cinnamon Babka (New York City) - Photo Courtesy of Greens & Ackermans

Greens & Ackermans’ Round Cinnamon Babka (New York City) – Photo Courtesy of Greens & Ackermans

At Greens & Ackermans, a bakery based in New York with online sales, Chocolate is the more popular Babka variety.  Both the Chocolate and Cinnamon Babka are available in different sizes – ranging from a Mini to a Full-Size Loaf to an even larger Round Babka.  And Greens is experimenting with new Babka flavors.  An interesting trend relayed by Greens:  Babka is becoming increasingly popular for corporate gifts.

How has Babka been gussied up?

Chocolate Babka from Breads Bakery

Chocolate Babka from Breads Bakery (New York City) – Photo Courtesy of Breads Bakery

New York-based Breads Bakery has won acclaim for its Chocolate Babka.  What’s in it?  Nutella and Chocolate Chips.  Breads Bakery’s Uri Scheft said he likes taking classic pastries and putting his unique twist on them.  For the Jewish New Year he adds apple to Babka.  (Note: on the Jewish New Year, apples are often dipped in honey to symbolize the wish for a Happy New Year.)  And around special holidays Uri has added other ingredients, such as halvah (a sweet confection made of crushed sesame seeds and honey) to Babka.  (Also see the Dessert Surveillance posting on Breads Bakery.)

I’d love to see a Babka with White Chocolate, but then again I love White Chocolate!

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Mar 09 2014
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Cake

Carrot Cake

Extraordinary Carrot Cake from Extraordinary Desserts (San Diego, CA) - Photo Courtesy of Extraordinary Desserts

Extraordinary Carrot Cake from Extraordinary Desserts (San Diego, CA) – Photo Courtesy of Extraordinary Desserts

 

I like Carrot Cake.  I really do.

But that doesn’t stop me from thinking that Carrot Cake is a bit like a chameleon.  Since Carrots are rich in beta-carotene, Carrot Cake is sometimes viewed as a “health food.”  And certainly some recipes for Carrot Cake call for modest amounts of oil or butter and sugar.  (Perhaps they’re more Carrot Tea Loafs than Carrot Cakes).   But traditional Carrot Cake is usually quite rich and sweet — and is often made even more delectable and decadent with a cream cheese frosting and filling.   Yet even these rich Carrot Cakes are still covered by a “health food halo.”  In fact, according to Sylvia Lovegren, author of Fashionable Food: Seven Decades of Food Fads, in the 1970s especially, Carrot Cake was found at many health food restaurants.

Sweet Celebrations: The Art of Decorating Beautiful Cakes by Sylvia Weinstock with Kate Manchester - Photo Courtesy of Simon & Schuster

Sweet Celebrations: The Art of Decorating Beautiful Cakes by Sylvia Weinstock with Kate Manchester – Photo Courtesy of Simon & Schuster

And in keeping with the Jekyll & Hyde aspect of Carrot Cake, this “health food” is the centerpiece of many celebrations.  A recipe for Carrot Cake appears in “Sweet Celebrations: The Art of Decorating Beautiful Cakes” by Sylvia Weinstock, noted wedding cake master baker and decorator.

So, how popular is Carrot Cake?

 

Carrot Cake from Buttercup Bake Shop (NYC) - Photo Courtesy of Buttercup Bake Shop

Carrot Cake from Buttercup Bake Shop (NYC) – Photo Courtesy of Buttercup Bake Shop

Nathaly Abreu, Director of Operations for New York City-based Buttercup Bake Shop said “Our Carrot Cake has gotten more popular through the years.  It seems to be that one Cake that everyone comes in asking for. We do make Carrot Cupcakes for special order and if there are extras, we do sell them to our walk-in customers.  Seems to me that Carrot Cake is giving Red Velvet Cake a run for the money.”  (Also see the Dessert Surveillance posting on Red Velvet Cake.)

 

A Slice of Super Chunky Carrot Cake from Icing on the Cake Bakery (Los Gatos, CA) - Photo Courtesy of Icing on the Cake Bakery

A Slice of Super Chunky Carrot Cake from Icing on the Cake Bakery (Los Gatos, CA) – Photo Courtesy of Icing on the Cake Bakery

According to Lynn Magnoli, owner of Icing on the Cake Bakery in Los Gatos, California, “Carrot Cake has been on the Icing on the Cake Bakery menu since day one, 29 years now.  It has not lost popularity.”  It’s the Bakery’s third most popular Cake (behind Fresh Banana and Chocolate Buttermilk).   Known officially as Super Chunky Carrot, this Carrot Cake is studded with raisins and walnuts.

Cookies from Renaissance Confections (NYC) - Photo Courtesy of Renaissance Confections

Cookies from Renaissance Confections (NYC) – Photo Courtesy of Renaissance Confections

Renaissance Confections, based in New York City, is known for its Carrot Cake.  Renaissance’s founder, Debonda Kay, also thinks Carrot Cake is becoming more popular. “It seems to be everyone’s favorite Cake, and customers can’t get enough of it in any form.  We do sell Carrot Cake Cookies — regular ones as well as gluten-free, fat-free and vegan.” Renaissance Confections also sells Carrot Cupcakes.

Two Varieties of Carrot Cupcakes from Carrot Cake by Mike (Orange Spiced Cream Cheese Frosting and Lemon Cream Cheese Frosting) - Photo Courtesy of Carrot Cake by Mike (Seattle, WA)

Two Varieties of Carrot Cupcakes from Carrot Cake by Mike (Orange Spiced Cream Cheese Frosting and Lemon Cream Cheese Frosting) – Photo Courtesy of Carrot Cake by Mike (Seattle, WA)

Mike of Seattle-based Carrot Cake by Mike also thinks Carrot Cake is becoming more popular.  “When I started this adventure I thought there would be a small cult following of Carrot Cake purists, but I am amazed at how many people tell me that Carrot Cake is their absolute favorite Cake…”  He reports that his most popular Carrot Cake is the 8″ Double Layer Round Cake.  “I find that the majority of our individual orders are to families wanting to celebrate the birthday of the Carrot Cake connoisseur of the group.  Our 8″ Cake is perfect for 10 – 12 servings and when you make it a double layer those servings are quite generous.” Of the various frosting varieties, the Traditional Cream Cheese frosting is definitely the most popular but people also request the Lemon Cream Cheese frosting and the Coconut Cream Cheese frosting.

Carrot Cake-cup from Bee's Knees Baking Co. (NYC) - Photo Courtesy of Bee's Knees Baking Co.

Carrot Cake-cup from Bee’s Knees Baking Co. (NYC) – Photo Courtesy of Bee’s Knees Baking Co.

Carrot Cake doesn’t have to look like Carrot Cake.  New York City-based Bee’s Knees Baking Co. creates portable Cakes, known as Cake-cups.  A Carrot Cake-cup is on the menu and Billy Mayer of Bee’s Knees said that spring brings increased demand for the Carrot variety.

I think it’s time for a slice of “healthy” Carrot Cake!

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