afternoon tea | Carrie Fehr

April 11, 2020

Lemon Olive Oil Madeleines

When Marcel Proust dipped his madeleine into his cup of tea, a powerful memory from his childhood emerged that led him to write the classic novel, “Remembrance of Things Past. “ Imagine such a table from nostalgic past, set for afternoon tea, bursting with memories, sparked by the delicate flavor of this simple yet elegant, shell-shaped cake.

This recipe was originally published in 2013, which I have updated and revised using Swerve sweetener as a replacement for sugar. Swerve sweetener is a natural sugar replacement that has zero net carbs and is keto-friendly.

Lemon Olive Oil Madeleines

Ingredients:

2 eggs

2/3 cup Swerve sweetener or sugar

¼ teaspoon salt

3/4 cup flour

½ teaspoon baking powder

½ cup olive oil

1 tablespoon lemon juice

Zest of lemon

Glaze:

4 tablespoons Swerve confectioners or powdered sugar

½ lemon, juiced

Directions:

In a bowl of an electric mixer, whip eggs, Swerve sweetner, and salt until thicken, about 5 minutes.

Sift in the flour and baking powder. Using a spatula gently fold in the flour until incorporated.

Add the olive oil and continue to stir. It may take a minute for the olive oil to blend into the mixture but do not over mix.

Stir in the lemon juice and zest.

Cover and refrigerate for 1 hour. (Batter may be chilled for up to 12 hours.)

Lightly coat the madeleine mold with cooking oil. Preheat oven to 350°

Make the glaze in a small bowl by stirring together the Swerve confectioners and lemon juice. Mix until smooth and creamy.

Scoop batter into madeleine mold, filling 2/3 full. Bake for 10-12 minutes and unmold on a cooling rack. While still warm, dip both sides of each cake in the glaze. Cool and serve with tea.

Leave a comment

March 31, 2019

Carrot Almond Torte

Spring is in the air, and I head to my kitchen filled with thoughts of love.

Maybe it’s the romantic long-stemmed French tulips of spring, or the seductive perfume of the season’s first strawberries that enliven my senses, or simply the allure of purple-tinged carrots piled high, dangling under the canopies at the farmers’ market that look like a still-life painting. The lightness of spring gives way to the glamour of nature around its passion for love.

In the kitchen, we infuse this passion of love into our recipes. It could be a dessert, or a dish that will become a family favorite, or a romantic meal shared with loved ones around the table.

A lively bunch of carrots, mixed with a few ordinary ingredients will turn out a gorgeous Carrot Almond Torte that is truly spectacular. You’ll fall in love with it! Don’t even get me started. Trust me.

Made with tender sweet carrots, coconut, and almonds–it’s so rich and moist, it’s hard to believe it has no butter, and is gluten-free. If you want, drop a dollop of crème Chantilly on it. A thin layer of cream cheese icing would not be such a bad thing either, though personally, I like it au naturel.

It’s a perfect dessert for Passover, or afternoon tea, and if there is any leftover in the morning, feel free to indulge in a slice for breakfast.

In the spirit of love.

Carrot Almond Torte

Ingredients:

4 large eggs, separated and at room temperature

¾ cup plus 2 tablespoons sugar

Zest of 1 orange

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon almond extract

2 cups carrots, peeled and grated

1/8 teaspoon cream of tartar

1 ½ cups ground almonds

1/2 cup coconut

9-inch springform pan with sides buttered.

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 325 degrees with a rack in the middle.

Mix together the egg yolks, 3/4 cup of sugar, orange zest, salt, and almond extract. Sprinkle the grated carrots into the bowl, but don’t mix them in.

In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a whisk attachment, combine the egg whites and cream of tartar. Beat on medium until the whites hold a soft shape. Gradually sprinkle in the reserved two tablespoons of sugar, beating at high speed until the egg whites are stiff.

Scrape one quarter of the egg whites on top of the carrots and batter. Using a rubber spatula fold the whites and carrots into the batter. Scrape the remaining egg whites into the bowl and pour the ground almonds and coconut over them. Fold the egg whites, almonds, and coconut into the batter. Pour the batter into the prepared pan.

Bake for 45 minutes until the torte is golden brown. Cool the torte in the pan, on a rack.

Leave a comment

December 31, 2017

Lemon Olive Oil Madeleines

When Marcel Proust dipped his madeleine into his cup of tea, a powerful memory from his childhood emerged that led him to write the classic novel, Remembrance of Things Past. Imagine such a table from nostalgic past, set for afternoon tea, bursting with memories, sparked by the delicate flavor of this simple yet elegant, shell-shaped cake.

Lemon Olive Oil Madeleines

Ingredients:

2 eggs

2/3 cup sugar

¼ teaspoon salt

1 cup flour

½ teaspoon baking powder

½ cup olive oil

Zest of lemon

½ teaspoon vanilla

Lemon Glaze:

1/2 cup powdered sugar

1/2 cup lemon juice

Directions:

Lightly coat the madeleine mold with cooking oil. Preheat oven to 350°

In a bowl of an electric mixer, whip eggs, sugar, and salt until thicken, about 5 minutes.

Sift in the flour and baking powder. Use a large spatula to gently fold in the flour, do not over mix.

Drizzle the olive oil into the batter and mix to incorporate. Add the vanilla and lemon zest.

Cover and refrigerate for 1 hour. (Batter may be chilled for up to 12 hours.)

Scoop batter into madeleine mold, filling 2/3 full. Bake for 10 minutes and un-mold on a cooling rack.

While baking, prepare the lemon glaze. In a small bowl, whisk the powdered sugar and lemon juice together. Mix until smooth and creamy.

When the madeleines come out of the oven, dip both sides of each cake in the glaze. Cool and serve with tea.

Leave a comment

September 10, 2017

Honey Chamomile Cupcakes

Light and fragrant, honey chamomile cupcakes get their distinctive flavor from an aromatic tea infusion. Topped with clouds of honey whipped cream and jewel-like edible flowers, these miniature cakes— are simply divine. If you love tea, this will be perfect!

Honey Chamomile Cupcakes

Ingredients:

¾ cup (1 ½ stick) unsalted butter, room temperature

1/3 cup dried chamomile flowers

1 ¼ cups – flour

1 ½ teaspoons baking powder

½ teaspoon salt

½ cup milk

1 teaspoon vanilla extract or lemon zest

¾ cup sugar

2 large eggs

Edible flowers or Chamomile flowers, optional

Honey Whipped Cream, Recipe Below

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line mini-cupcake tin with paper liners. Makes 3 dozen mini-sized or 1 dozen large.

Directions:
Heat butter in a saucepan over low heat until melted, careful not to brown it. Add the chamomile and let it steep for 5 minutes. Remove from heat and let it stand for 5 more minutes. Strain the chamomile through a sieve and set butter aside to cool.

In a small bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt and set aside. In another bowl, mix milk and vanilla; set aside.

Cream together the butter and sugar until light. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition.

With mixer on low-speed, add half of dry ingredients, followed by milk, then remaining dry ingredients. Do not over mix.

Using an ice cream scoop divide batter into prepared muffin cups, filling about 2/3 full.

Bake 13 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in center of a cupcake comes out clean.

Cool cupcakes on a rack before frosting. Ice with honey whipped cream. Sprinkle crushed chamomile over the top and decorate with edible flowers.

Honey Whipped Cream

1 ½ cup heavy cream

3 Tablespoons honey

Pour heavy cream in a bowl and using a wire whisk whip the cream until it thickens slightly. Add the honey and mix until it holds soft peaks.

Leave a comment

April 15, 2015

Lemon Olive Oil Madeleines

Lemon Olive Oil Madeleines

Ingredients:

2 eggs

2/3 cup sugar

¼ teaspoon salt

1 cup flour

½ teaspoon baking powder

½ cup olive oil

Zest of lemon

½ teaspoon vanilla

Glaze:

4 tablespoons powdered sugar

½ lemon, juiced

Directions:

Lightly coat the madeleine mold with cooking oil. Preheat oven to 350°

In a bowl of an electric mixer, whip eggs, sugar, and salt until thicken, about 5 minutes.

Sift in the flour and baking powder. Use a large spatula to gently fold in the flour, do not over mix.

Drizzle the olive oil into the batter and mix to incorporate. Add the vanilla and lemon zest.

Cover and refrigerate for 1 hour. (Batter may be chilled for up to 12 hours.)

Make the glaze in a small bowl by stirring together the powdered sugar and lemon juice. Mix until smooth and creamy.

Scoop batter into madeleine mold, filling 2/3 full. Bake for 10 minutes and unmold on a cooling rack. While still warm, dip both sides of each cake in the glaze. Cool and serve with tea.

Leave a comment

February 3, 2013

French Yogurt Cake

With just a few ingredients like —yogurt, lemon zest, and olive oil, you can whip up an amazing lemony cake that is moist, full of flavor, and light as a cloud, in a matter of minutes. This versatile French classic is perfect for breakfast, or afternoon tea, or for a delicious finale to an evening meal. Sprinkle a little powdered sugar over the top before serving, and pair it with some fresh berries. (Recipe adapted from Bon Appétit)

French Yogurt Cake

Ingredients:

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

2 teaspoons baking powder

1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

1 cup sugar

1 tablespoon lemon zest

3/4 cup plain yogurt

1/2 cup olive oil

2 large eggs

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350°. Line a 9×3 round pan with parchment paper.

Whisk 1 1/2 cups flour, baking powder, and kosher salt in a medium bowl.

Using your fingers, rub sugar with lemon zest in a large bowl until combined. Add yogurt, olive oil, eggs, and vanilla extract; whisk to blend. Stir in dry ingredients and mix together.

Pour batter into prepared pan. Bake until top of cake is golden brown, about 45 minutes.

Let cake cool in pan on a wire rack for 15 minutes. Invert onto rack and then let cool completely.

Leave a comment

Tag: afternoon tea