Friday, August 1, 2008

It's All About The Cherries
















A = Ann / T = Tony

A: Cherries are in season.
T: Riveting. Thanks for that, I'll be sure and throw that down in the locker room today.
A: Okay, Dennis Miller. AnyPOOP, my point was - I was thinking of making something with cherries. Pie?
T: I don't like cherry anything, cherries just don't do it for me, they're just *eh*.























[3 hours later]

A: Can you taste my cherry thingy?
T: Honey, I hate to tell ya - but I think someone already took care of that initiation for you years ago...
A: OH.MY.GAWD. Shut the pie hole. You are TERRIBLE. I should post that for the world to see. Your MOTHER reads my blog!
T: Yeah, and she'd read it, speed dial Aunt Peggy, and boast about her son who talked about his wife's cherry, who then wrote about it on her blog.
A: ...God, you're right. She'd love it. Sick, isn't it? And we love it, don't we?



















[Hi little Cherry Man in back, you cute little focker YOU!]

A: Well, will you JUST taste this dang cherry mini-cake-thing already?
T: ...Wow. This is. Really good.
A: You like it?
T: I better try another one.
T: These are REALLY good, I mean they're really good. Lemme have another one.
A: But you really like 'em?
T: Yeah, I mean I don't like cherries, but these are awesome.
A: You don't like cherries, but you're loving these?
T: Yeah!
A: Uh huh. So do you like cherries now?
T: No. I don't really like cherries. Never have.
A: ....???

















Cherry Mini-Cakes
(Cakelets)

These are so adorable, I could NOT stop taking pictures of these darlings. Inside the little cake-let is a cherry - stem and pit - so, be sure and forewarn folks of the pit. Right out of the oven and well afterwards, the cherry is warm and oozy. But, they are at their very, very best the day after they're baked - at which point, some of the juice from the cherry has soaked into the crumb and the cake is moist and soft and filled with deepening flavor. These are not, by any means, overly sweet - they are subtle and easy and fresh. They're kind of like a cross between a tea cake and a muffin. They have a lovely, fragrant, cherry, almond flavor - and could not BE more adorable. And if you like cherries? Perfect. And if you don't like cherries? Perfect...

10 T. (1 1/4 sticks) unsalted butter
1 c. AP flour
1 1/4 c. finely ground almonds (unblanched)
1 c. + 2 T. sugar
1 t. coarse salt
5 large egg whites
4 tsp. kirsch (cherry brandy)
30 sweet cherries

Preheat oven to 400F. Butter and flour muffin tins (yield is about 30 cakes).

Melt butter in medium pan over medium high heat until it begins to sputter; reduce to medium. Cook, swirling occasionally until butter has lightly browned. Skim foam from top and remove from heat.

In a bowl, whisk flour, ground almonds, sugar, and salt. Add egg whites and whisk until smooth. Stir in kirsch. Pour in butter and whisk to combine - let stand for 20 minutes.

Spoon 1 tablespoon of batter into each muffin tin, filling about half way. Place a cherry into each tin, keeping stem upright. Using a small spoon, smooth some batter over top of cherries to cover. Bake until a toothpick comes out clean and cakes are golden, 12-15 minutes. Allow to cool for 10 minutes. Run a knife edges to loosen and unmold. Repeat with remaining batter. Serve immediately or store in airtight container. ENJOY!


















OH! Hi little fella in the middle, in focus! How adorable are YOU, you little SCAMP?!

44 comments:

Anonymous said...

Wow those are beautiful! I may have to make these and love them, three times, just like your husband; but not admit to liking the cherries, of course, since I don't like those. WTF? I wonder if he's my twin brother because I totally get that nonsense. Great post. You guys are funny.

Anonymous said...

These are so adorable. I never make anything cherry because my husband doesn't like cherries either. But your husband at least tries it whereas mine wouldn't touch them!

hungryandfrozen said...

Wow, they really are gorgeous wee things. Loved the dialogue, made me chuckle! Gorgeous pictures :)

Brittany said...

Thos are f'ing DARLING.

What a great way to teach the hubbs a lesson....but it sounds like he still thinks that he doesn't like cherries (?)

Jennifer S said...

You guys are funny.

Those little cakes are so sweet! I've never seen anything like them, and I might have to make them sometime. My daughter would go nuts over them.

Stephanie said...

A.Dorable. I love that you left the stems on, they're so cute that way!

Ann said...

Meagan: I know, wtf? He loves the entire cake, but still won't admit to liking cherries. Welcome to my nonsense. And, your twin.

Tanya: My hub doesn't like cherries either, which is why I HIGHLY recommend these for your husband. Odd, isn't it? You'll see.

Laura: Aren't they just peewee adorable? Whatever that means?

Brittany: That's what he THINKS, but we all KNOW better, clearly...

Jennifer - they are SO easy, she could make them with you - it'd probably be really fun!

Stephanie: Thanks! I think the stem adds that little "joie de vivre"!

Anonymous said...

Gorgeous pictures! These are so darling. I never would have thought to leave the cherry in, how fabulous.

Hysterical post. Glad to see your husband didn't like these three times! I suppose he didn't the whole batch all week then?

dharmamama said...

Adorable! I want to adopt them all. Oh, wait. You gave instructions so I could birth some of my very own? Yay. Thought I recognized almond in that cake. I think I would have to add a few scrapes of some nutmeg...

I have to admit, I blushed at the thought of tasting your cherry thingy, too.

Anonymous said...

awww those are adorable :) and the dialogue was so funny. wish it was cherry season here so i could try that out

NV said...

OH. MY. GOD. Those look to die for!
And the dialogue ... a very winning combo to say the least. That said, I did not post on my own blog tonight because I have bandages on four fingers, so I am uniquely inspired to comment here!

grace said...

ooooh me. you have just succeeded in making me chortle. yes, chortle. thanks for that, as i do enjoy a good chortle every now and then.
meanwhile, what a cute idea! the pit would be annoying, but what a small price to pay. nicely done. :)

Leslie said...

mmm..delish..I love how the cherry is INSIDE..too cute!

Manager Mom said...

Yet another fab looking dessert that I'll never cook. *sigh*

Real Live Lesbian said...

They are so PRECIOUS! The pit left in the cherry is perfect. Keeps folks from just scarfing them down like candy.

I like the one with the little nipple on top. Send him to me!

YD, sometimes with ♥June and ♥Angel Samantha said...

Those little darlings are very cute! Please give me some NOW!

Anonymous said...

I put cherries AND cherry brandy in brownies and they are delicious although not nearly as cute and cuddly as your little filling-crackers you've got there. Good thing Josh is in the military and I have an excellent dental plan!

Blessings to you and your cherry initiation!
Lacy

RazorFamilyFarms.com

My Sweet & Saucy said...

I LOVE these! They are the most darling things ever!

My Sweet & Saucy said...

I LOVE these! They are the most darling things ever!

Clumbsy Cookie said...

These are so darn cute I want to tie all their stems and wear them as a bracelet! I can't believe your husband! How can one not like cherries?! Oh well, I least he likes yours ;)

Sugar Jones said...

Oh my gosh! Every time I come to this blog of fabulous tasty treats, I start to fall back into my Martha-Stewart-ess haze and think of how many jealous little coiffed heads would turn/twitch as I walk in to a party with this great little treat that would SO blow away the box mix that the other mommies brought...

OH ANN! You bring out the DEVIL in me!

A home far away said...

Oh my gosh that looks delicious:-
And I am happy that I could make my own meringue....

Have a great day!

//Gunilla in Singapore

Gigi said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Gigi said...

oooo, Ann! Those cherry cakes are CUTE! They're food porn I tell ya!

Patricia Scarpin said...

Ann, I laughed out loud here! Great post - and tell Tony he can send his share of anything cherry you make, 'cause I love cherries!

I'm in love with these cakes - they look so adorable with the stem peeking out!

Susan said...

Love the cherry...my favorite fruit..great pics

Lisa said...

Ann - fabulous pics and recipe - I can't wait to try these! I think I have some time open tween 3 and 4 AM :)

L

MamaGeek @ Works For Us said...

Seriously, I can't decide which is better. The rocking photos, the delish recipe or the witty banter!

Nic said...

You guys are so funny!
I'd love to taste your cherry thingy, so would my hubby, we adore them.
Great photos.

YD, sometimes with ♥June and ♥Angel Samantha said...

Hey Ann, just wanted to let you know that I have just posted about the IT list!

ALF said...

Those are SO. CUTE. I love cherries.

Meghan said...

New to your blog... this is a really nice idea!

Anonymous said...

I swear on my wife's long lost cherry that I commented on this.

Damn....

Anyway, I hate cherries as well. But those look good...I guess.

Did you finish Dr. Horrible?

flutter said...

those are totally gorgeous!

Anonymous said...

I think I just fell in love with your cakelets. I can't help it, I've always been a sucker for a cutie-pie.

If you need to send out any of those little yummies, I can always give you my mailing address...

Jeanine - The Baking Beauties said...

Those are some cute little cakelets! Beautiful pics as well. :)

Anonymous said...

those are too adorable! love your blog too!

Minnesota Matron said...

Your mother reads your blog? The Matron is probably old enough . . .but that's another story. Lovely photos and recipe. She's on board.

Anonymous said...

oh i loved the whole dialogue - was hilarious. and these cakelets are so pretty. and easy to pop in the mouth --- LOL.

nice one ann! x

Helene said...

They are adorable indeed! The first picture made my heart jump! Cherries rock!

Deeba PAB said...

Pretty pretty pretty little fellas...can see why you took so many pictures. LOVED THEM! Great post!! Cheers Deeba

Tina said...

Those are gorgeous!

Jenny, the Bloggess said...

Your awesomeness was featured on BS Sunday on the Houston Chronicle Online: http://tinyurl.com/6c2w4u

Pea and Pear said...

These are A'droable!!!!!
Oh so cute, You must have been tempted to name them all!! in that last photo the cake in the middle is all like " look at me with my perfectly straight stem. Am I not the picture of good looks?"

Just love it!!!
Ali