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Easter: Lemon Angel Food Cake

Source of Recipe


Williams-Sonoma



List of Ingredients



• ½ cup all-purpose flour
  
• Finely grated zest of ½ lemon
  
• 6 egg whites
  
• Pinch of salt
  
• ¾ tsp cream of tartar
  
• 1 cup superfine sugar
  
• .
  
• -- For the frosting --
  
• ½ cup lemon curd
  
• ½ cup sour cream
  
• .
  
• Crystallized rose petals or flowers for decorating* (optional)
  






Instructions



1. Preheat an oven to 375° F.
   Sift the flour onto a plate, then stir in the lemon zest and set aside. Put the egg whites, salt and cream of tartar into a large bowl and whisk until stiff but moist-looking peaks form. Gradually whisk in the superfine sugar, a tablespoon at a time, and continue whisking for 1 to 2 minutes.
   
   
2. Gently fold in the flour mixture using a metal spoon and a swirling figure-of-eight motion. Pour into an 8-inch deep or 9-inch shallow nonstick angel food cake pan (there is no need to grease it first). Bake until the cake is well risen and golden and the top springs back when pressed with a fingertip, 25 to 30 minutes. Turn the cake, still in its pan, upside down onto a cooling rack and let cool. As it cools, it will fall out of the pan.
   
   
3. To make the frosting, in a bowl, stir together the lemon curd and sour cream and spread over the top of the cooled cake. Sprinkle with crystallized rose petals or flowers.
   
   Serves 8
   
   ............
   
   LEMON CURD
   
   • 5 egg yolks
   • ½ cup sugar
   • ¼ cup fresh lemon juice
   • Grated zest of 2 lemons
   • 6 Tbsp (¾ stick) unsalted butter
   
   In a heavy saucepan, combine the egg yolks and sugar, and whisk vigorously for 1 minute. Add the lemon juice and zest, and whisk for 1 minute more. Set the pan over low heat and cook gently, stirring constantly, until slightly thickened -- 10 to 15 minutes.
   
   Remove the pan from the heat and stir in the butter. Let cool, stirring occasionally. Cover tightly and refrigerate before using.
   
   Makes about 1 cup.
   
   






Final Comments


* To crystallize flowers, buy a sachet of dried egg white and mix it as instructed. Let it cool, then brush the mixture over rose petals or viola, pansy or herb flowers. Dust lightly with a little superfine sugar, let dry for 30 minutes, then use to decorate the cake just before serving.