Hibiscus Blossom Cake Recipe

Embrace the delightful charm of spring with our Hibiscus Blossom Cake 🌺🎂. This cake is a celebration of flavor and color, featuring a velvety pink vanilla frosting infused with the essence of hibiscus. Perfect for springtime festivities or as a gourmet everyday treat, this cake brings a floral note to your dessert table.

Ingredients

Dry Mix:

• 1 and 1/2 cups whole wheat or all-purpose flour
• 1/4 cup dried hibiscus flower powder, plus an additional teaspoon for the frosting
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda

Wet Mix:

• 3 medium eggs
• 3/4 cup milk
• 1/2 cup Greek yogurt
• 1/2 cup honey or light unrefined muscovado sugar
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

For the Frosting:

• 250 grams Mascarpone or soft cream cheese (e.g., Philadelphia)
• 1/3 cup agave syrup or maple syrup
• 180 ml double (heavy) cream
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

Preparation:

1. Preheat your oven to 338°F (170°C). Line your baking tins with parchment paper for easy cake removal.

Hibiscus Powder:

1. Pulverize dried hibiscus flowers into a fine powder using a grinder.

Dry Ingredients:

1. Combine flour, hibiscus powder, baking powder, salt, and baking soda in a bowl.

Wet Ingredients:

1. Whisk eggs, milk, yogurt, honey (or sugar), and vanilla extract in a separate bowl until well blended.

Combine:

1. Fold wet ingredients into dry ingredients gently until just combined. Avoid overmixing to ensure a light cake texture.
2. Pour the batter into the prepared tins.

Bake:

1. Bake for approximately 25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
2. Cool the cakes in the tin for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

Frosting:

1. Whip the double cream to stiff peaks.
2. Fold in the cream cheese, vanilla, sweetener, and a teaspoon of hibiscus powder to achieve a lovely pink hue.

Decorate:

1. Adorn the Cake: Once your cake layers have cooled to perfection, lavishly spread the hibiscus-infused frosting over each layer. The frosting should be smooth and even, capturing the essence of hibiscus in every stroke.
2. Floral Embellishments: Enhance the cake’s beauty by decorating with edible flowers, specifically hibiscus petals if available, or other edible blossoms that complement the cake’s flavor and aesthetic.
3. Final Touches: Add a sprinkling of finely chopped pistachios or a light dusting of powdered sugar to the edges for a touch of elegance and texture contrast.

Preparation Overview:

• Prep Time: 7 minutes
• Cooking Time: 25 minutes
• Total Time: 32 minutes
• Serves: 12 slices