Mr. Sun's Saffron Cake

Description

Source: The Unofficial Strawberry Shortcake Cookbook - A.K. Whitney

In Strawberryland, the sun is not just a source of heat and light, but is known as Mr. Sun. He is the narrator, sometime giver of wishes, and loyal friend to kids. This Saffron Cake is as bright as its namesake, not just because of its golden batter but also because of its almond-flavored icing with a pretty sunburst design. Try out different decorations for the face, like using yellow icing to pipe out the mouth, eyebrows, and nose!

Serves 8

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons unseasoned fine breadcrumbs
• 2 large eggs
• 1 1/4 cups granulated sugar
• 0.025 ounces saffron threads, ground to powder
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 2/3 cup whole milk
• 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 14 tablespoons salted butter, melted
• 2 cups confectioners' sugar, sifted
• 9 teaspoons water
• 1 teaspoon almond extract
• 3 drop yellow food coloring
• 1 ounce white fondant
• 2 ounces brown fondant

Directions

1. To make Cake: Preheat oven to 350°F.
2. Grease the inside of a 9" springform pan with butter, then coat with breadcrumbs.
3. In a medium bowl, beat eggs and sugar together until very pale and thick.
4. Add saffron, baking powder, and milk.
5. Stir gently.
6. Add flour and melted butter and stir until batter is just combined.
7. Scrape batter into prepared springform pan.
8. Bake on a low rack for 35-45 minutes or until Cake is golden on top and is pulling away a bit from the sides.
9. Toothpick inserted in center of Cake should come out clean.
10. Allow Cake to cool 10 minutes before removing from the pan onto a large plate.
11. Ice cake only after it has cooled completely, 45-60 minutes.
12. To make Topping: Mix sugar, water, and extract into a smooth, not runny paste.
13. Pour half the icing on top of Cake.
14. Spread to cover, trying not to let icing drip over the sides.
15. Add food coloring to remaining icing.
16. Pour yellow icing onto the center, trying to keep it a rough circle 5" wide.
17. Using the tip of a sharp knife, draw yellow icing toward edges, making sun rays.
18. Use more icing to outline sun and create a mouth nose, and eyebrows.
19. Let icing set 1 hour.
20. Shape white fondant into two eyes and shape brown fondant into irises, eyebrows, a nose, and a mouth.
21. Arrange on top of icing.