What to 'finish' a sponge cake?

14 years ago

I finally, finally have figured out the right technique and ingredients for an orange spongecake I have been fiddling with for this past year. I love it! But when I went to put something on it... it wasn't what it was or could've been :( The chocolate glaze I put on it did nothing to enhance it, but instead, detracted. Hm.

Are sponge cakes normally finished with a sprinkling of powdered sugar? Or something else? Do you know of a good recipe that would make it even better? Should I leave it well enough alone? I'm so confused!!! I'm not really a baker, or creator of recipes, so my vision is a bit limited here. Had a sudden thought--what about a sprinkling of cocoa mixed with powdered sugar?

Thanks for any ideas you might have.

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Comments (5)

caliloo
14 years ago
I have a recipe for a Brazilian Sponge type cake that uses a Rum glaze.... maybe something like that using Gran Marnier or some other orange based liquor?

Alexa

Rum Soaked Sponge Cake (BÃÂ´lo BÃÂªbado - Brazil)
Cake Batter
1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons plain dry bread crumbs
1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
1 tablespoon unbleached all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon baking powder
6 large eggs (at room temperature)

Put all ingredients into a food process or blender and process until the batter is smooth and well blended.

Grease the bottom and sides of a nonstick 8- or 9-inch square cake pan. Pour the batter into the prepared pan. Bake on the upper rack in a preheated 350 degree F oven until golden and a wooden skewer inserted in the center comes out clean, about 15 minutes.

Remove the cake from the oven to a wire rack to cool for 15 minutes. Meanwhile, make the syrup.

After syrup is made, run a knife around the edges of the cake to loosen it from the pan. Then turn the cake out onto a large serving platter. Pour the rum syrup over the cake and allow it to cool.

Serve the sponge cake at room temperature or chilled, plain or with the garnish of your choice.

Rum-Flavored Syrup
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/4 cup water
1/4 cup cachaÃÂ§a or white rum

Put all ingredients in a small saucepan; bring to a boil over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally, and then remove from the heat.

Garnish
Fresh fruit, fruit complete or
confectioners' sugar (optional)

If using confectioners' sugar, make sure the cake is cool or it will melt into the cake.
rob333 (zone 7b)
Original Author
14 years ago
I could do that. I bet it would be good topped with fresh fruit. Hm. Sounds good! Thanks Alexa, you're a peach.
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I always think trifle. Custard, fruit, booze...yum.
User
14 years ago
I make a lemon sponge cake filling that might be useful as sort of a frosting. It's simply whipped cream with lemon curd whipped in when the cream is almost done. For an orange sponge, you could probably whip in some marmalade or just some orange flavoring to make an orange whipped cream and frost with that.
rob333 (zone 7b)
Original Author
14 years ago
Barnmom that sounds really good! I love all custard things. Mmm. Knowing me, I'd do that a day or two after serving the original cake, just to get more bang for my buck. Twofer.

petra, you make me think a lemon curd/lime zest might be good on it, so that it's a "citrus" spongecake. Thanks!

What to 'finish' a sponge cake?

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caliloo

rob333 (zone 7b)
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What to 'finish' a sponge cake?

Comments (5)

caliloo

rob333 (zone 7b)Original Author

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