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10 Genius Cakes for Mother's Day
by Kristen Miglore
• April 30, 2014
• 19 Comments
Every week -- often with your help -- Food52's Senior Editor Kristen Miglore is unearthing recipes that are nothing short of genius.
Today: 10 cakes, each with the Genius seal of approval, just in time to save Mother's Day.
Still need a present for Mother's Day? Go bake her a cake. And for you moms out there -- do you suspect your loved ones are running a little behind this year? Save them: request a cake.
Some of my happiest, most successful mom-oriented days involved baking my mother's favorite chocolate cake with a cream cheese ribbon -- sometimes with her help, sometimes stumbling along on my own. I think she liked it easily as much as the awkward poems and framed photos, though I doubt she'd ever tell.
I've rounded up some of the greatest cakes from the Genius Recipes column below, plus a few other favorites from around Food52. But what I really want to know is: what genius cake will you bake for your mother?
Amanda Hesser's Chocolate Dump-It Cake
aargersi's Coconut Tres Leches
Lindsay-Jean Hard's Banana Cake with Penuche Frosting
Nigella Lawson's Dense Chocolate Loaf Cake
Cory Schreiber & Julie Richardson's Rhubarb Buckle with Ginger Crumb
Nigel Slater's Extremely Moist Chocolate Beet Cake
Got a genius recipe to share -- from a classic cookbook, an online source, or anywhere, really? Please send it my way (and tell me what's so smart about it) at [email protected].
Photos by James Ransom, except Louisa's Cake by Sarah Shatz
The Genius Desserts cookbook is almost here! With more than 100 of the most beloved and talked-about desserts of our time (and the hidden gems soon to join their ranks) this book will make you a local legend, and a smarter baker to boot. Pre-order your signed copy here.
Comments (19)
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Nigella's cake is always a winner!
I think I might try caramel cake with chocolate filling this year. I also have to decide if I want to do fondant or piped butter cream to decorated. Last year I did chocolate cake with butter cream frosting. I piped red, dark peach and yellow ribbon roses and drop flowers to match the bouquet of roses I got. My mom loved it.
AntoniaJames is a trusted source on Bread/Baking.
Alas, my mother is no longer with us, this being our first Mother's Day without her. In her memory, I will make one of her favorite desserts, Strawberry Shortcake. I'll be using the Genius James Beard version (of course), which I know she'd appreciate. I'll be using the Genius Nancy Silverton whipped cream, as well. Of course.
There's no "missing" like missing one's mother; this Mother's Day is testing my resolve to carry on as she would, "with hope and enthusiasm for the future." ;o)
Antonia, do not kid yourself for even a moment, she is there with you. She is why you are who you are, at least in part. And the fact that you closely follow tradition speaks to the woman, and the daughter she raised. My mom has been away for years, but she is still here every day. I see her in myself and my daughter, when we cook together and especially when we play music and sign while doing it, like she always enjoyed. Peace on this excellent weekend, and notice the signs of her presence.
Your Mother loved, taught and mentored you well. Her legacy will always be with you so in a sense she will always be there.
where is the spice cake? My fave...
This is pretty spice cake-y! And from my grandmother. http://food52.com/recipes...
I have made this cake so many times I don't ever want to make it again. I even have the original cook book that the recipe first appeared in. I am looking for a knock out spice cake recipe. Thx
What book is it in??
It is the Campbell Soup Cookbook Cooking with Soup. It is the all red one. This cookbook and The I Hate to Cook Book by Peg Bracken were the ones I used in the '60s.
http://www.ebay.com/bhp...
This is my most favorite spice cake. Very old Yankee recipe, the friend who gave it to me is in her 70's and it was her great-grandmother's recipe. Simple, and interestingly old-fashioned with water in the recipe. Hope you enjoy. http://food52.com/recipes...
I made ATK spice cake. It has the complexity that I have been lusting for. Thx for the input.
Nigel Slater's beet cake is great! Two favorites of mine are the almond torte in Chez Panisse Desserts (which is good alone or soaked with an amaretto and bourbon syrup) and Ina's lemon cake. Both very easy, simple, reliable and seriously delicious.
Alice is a James Beard Foundation and IACP award-winning author of ten cookbooks, including her latest, Flavor Flours.
I have a coconut and cornflour chiffon cake (no wheat flour at all) in the oven and my fingers are crossed...
Kristen is the Creative Director of Food52
Pins and needles!
Does this mean my mom hasn't actually appreciated all the macaroni crafts I've made her???
Kristen is the Creative Director of Food52
She loves them all, and she loves them equally.
I'm going retro with Tomato Soup Cake.
Kristen is the Creative Director of Food52
Also genius.
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