Strawberry-Cornmeal-Olive Oil Snacking Cake

My family really embraces strawberry season. We can’t get enough freshly picked Long Island berries! 🙂 After making our essential Strawberry-Vanilla Bean Jam, I made this super moist, coarse-textured snack cake which incorporated my special jam.

I baked the cake a day in advance and served it for dessert with homemade Fresh Strawberry Gelato. Yes, it was over the top! We ate the leftovers for breakfast. In retrospect, although it is sweet enough to be a dessert, I think that I would serve it for breakfast, or as a special snack with tea or coffee, next time. It was a wonderful breakfast- such a treat.

This recipe was adapted from Bon Appétit, contributed by Sarah Jampel. I modified the baking time and used homemade jam. The jam sinks to the bottom of the cake and, with the granulated sugar coating, forms a crispy, caramelized crust. Yum.

Yield: One 13×9-inch sheet cake

• 8 to 10 oz strawberries, hulled, thinly sliced lengthwise
• 238 g (1 cup plus 3 T) granulated sugar, divided, plus more for pan
• 1 tsp Kosher salt, plus more
• 3/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for pan (or use cooking spray for pan)
• 188 g (1 1/2 cups) all-purpose flour
• 60 g (1/2 cup) cornmeal, preferably finely ground
• 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 3 large eggs
• 2 large egg yolks
• 1/2 cup plus 2 T sour cream
• finely grated zest of 2 lemons
• 3 T freshly squeezed lemon juice
• 2 tsp pure vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup strawberry jam, stirred (original recipe recommends Bonne Maman Intense)

1. Preheat oven to 350°, preferably on convection.
2. Gently toss strawberries, 1 tablespoon of granulated sugar, and a pinch of coarse salt in a medium bowl. Let sit, stirring occasionally, until ready to use.
3. Grease a 13×9-inch metal baking pan with oil or cooking spray. Line with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on 2 long sides.
4. Grease parchment with oil or cooking oil spray. Generously sprinkle pan and parchment with sugar, tilting to coat pan in an even layer; tap out excess.
5. Whisk flour, cornmeal, baking powder, baking soda, 200 g (1 cup) sugar, and 1 teaspoon coarse salt in a medium bowl.
6. Whisk eggs, egg yolks, sour cream, lemon zest, lemon juice, and vanilla in a large bowl until well combined.
7. Add dry ingredients to sour cream mixture and whisk gently to combine.
8. Using a spatula, gradually fold in 3/4 cup oil until batter is smooth and homogenous with all of the oil incorporated.
9. Scrape batter into prepared pan and spread evenly.
10. Stir the strawberry jam to make more fluid. Using a small spoon, dollop jam onto surface. (I made 36 small dollops over the surface of the cake.) Using a butter knife or small offset spatula, gently swirl jam into batter.
11. Arrange reserved strawberries on top of batter in even rows, touching at widest points. (You may have extra sliced berries; reserve for another use.) See note.
12. Sprinkle all over with remaining 2 tablespoons of granulated sugar.
13. Bake cake until risen and deeply bronzed with no damp spots in the middle, the sides begin to pull away from the pan, and a tester inserted into the center comes out clean, about 30 minutes in a convection oven or up to 40–45 minutes in a standard oven.

Note: Because the strawberries will shrink and sink a bit during baking (how much depends on their size and sweetness), make sure they’re placed shoulder to shoulder on top of the batter. (My design didn’t hold up very well during the baking process but no one seemed to mind.)

Do Ahead: Cake can be made 4 days ahead. Cover with foil or plastic wrap and store at room temperature.

Spiced Zucchini-Banana Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting

To say that this wonderful summer cake was moist would be the understatement. 😉 What a fabulous use for zucchini! Everyone has an extra zucchini and ultra-ripe bananas this time of year too.

This recipe was adapted from Nancy-c.com. I incorporated light brown sugar and whole wheat pastry flour and decreased the nutmeg. I also added salt and vanilla to the frosting. This cake was even better the next day. Fabulous.

Yield: one 9×13 cake, about 12 to 16 servings

For the Cake:

• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup light brown sugar
• 1 large or extra-large egg
• 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
• 1 cup mashed bananas (about 2 medium)
• 1 cup all-purpose unbleached flour
• 1 cup whole wheat pastry flour
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 tsp coarse salt
• 1 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1/4 to 1/2 tsp freshly grated nutmeg
• 2 cups shredded zucchini (about 1 medium)

1. Preheat oven to 350˚F, preferably on convection.
2. Grease a 9 x 13″ pan, line with parchment paper, grease again. (I used cooking oil spray.) Set aside.
3. In the bowl of a stand mixer or a large bowl, cream butter and sugar.
4. Add in egg and vanilla, then stir in mashed bananas and blend everything well.
5. In medium bowl, whisk flours, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg together.
6. Add flour mixture to butter-sugar-banana mixture. Blend until combined.
7. Fold in zucchini and mix until incorporated.
8. Pour batter into prepared 9 x 13″ pan and bake at 350˚F for 25 minutes, or until edges brown and pull from sides.
9. Let bars cool completely, then frost with cream cheese frosting (recipe below).

For the Cream Cheese Frosting:

• 1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese or light cream cheese, softened at room temperature
• 1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened at room temperature
• pinch coarse salt
• 1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract
• 4 cups powdered sugar

1. In the bowl of a stand mixer or medium bowl, blend softened cream cheese and softened butter.
2. Mix in salt and vanilla until well combined.
3. Add in powdered sugar a cup at a time, blending well after each addition, scraping down the sides, as needed.
4. Spread evenly over completely cooled bars, then cut and serve.

Note: If serving later, keep in refrigerator until ready to serve. Refrigerate any leftover cake.

Applesauce Oatmeal Bread

This wholesome quick bread really caught my eye. I made it as a special after school snack for my kids (and me!). They enjoyed it with a glass of fresh apple cider. I thought it was absolutely perfect for breakfast with a cup of coffee.

The recipe was adapted from King Arthur Flour.com. I baked the loaf in a Pullman pan, used freshly ground allspice and freshly grated nutmeg, and substituted pecans for walnuts. Yum!

Yield: One standard or Pullman loaf

• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1/2 cup canola oil
• 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla or boiled cider
• 1/2 cup white whole wheat flour
• 1 cup unbleached all-purpose flour
• 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground allspice
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup rolled oats, plus more for sprinkling top, optional
• 3/4 cup unsweetened applesauce
• 1/2 cup chopped pecans
• cream cheese, for serving, optional

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F, preferably on convection. Lightly grease a Pullman loaf pan or a standard 9″ x 5″ loaf pan. (I used cooking oil spray.)
2. In a large bowl, mix together the sugar, eggs, oil and vanilla.
3. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flours, baking powder and soda, and spices.
4. Combine wet and dry ingredients.
5. Mix in the rolled oats, applesauce, and nuts.
6. Pour the mixture into the prepared pan.
7. Sprinkle rolled oats over the top, as desired.
8. Bake the bread for 40 for a Pullman pan or up to 60 minutes in a standard loaf pan, until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
9. Remove the bread from the oven, and cool completely.
10. Store cooled bread, well wrapped, at room temperature for several days. Freeze for longer storage.
11. Serve with cream cheese, or as desired.

One Year Ago:

• Whole Wheat English Muffins
• Oscar Night Waffles

Two Years Ago:

• Whole Wheat Banana Flaxseed Muffins
• Green Smoothies

Three Years Ago:

• Low-Fat Oat & Whole Wheat Buttermilk Waffles

Four Years Ago:

• Brown Sugar-Oatmeal “Sunshine” Muffins
• White House Honey-Oat Muffins