How is it this time of the year again? It’s mind boggling how time flies. Take our vacation for example. The stay in India is coming to an end soon and it feels so insufficient.
Time at breakfast table, evening cup of tea with family playing “dumb charades”, eating local delicacies and so much more.
I want to freeze it all up. I want the time to stand still. Just for a second at least.
Amidst all of the excitement, I’ve taken ill for a few days now. Most days were spent recuperating in bed, with flows of medications. It always feels like I’ve been missing out on so much family time.
Often I’ve been told about life’s blessings for all of our travels. But nothing can ever prepare you for something as painful as vertigo.
It’s the one and only bane of my existence. And it’s something that I’ve been learning to deal with for a while now.
Ultimately, what only matters is that I’m fine in other aspects of health. Counting my blessings for sure 🙂
Lets shift our focus into this recipe. I love a simple cake. A sort-of blank canvas that I can top with festive touches. Something about “candied” that immediately zooms into holiday mood.
Not to forget, baking. It’s a perfect partner in crime. While I rest and recuperate, I hope you are indulging in your family favorites during this holiday season.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup almond flour
- 1/2 cup whole wheat pastry flour
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 2 tbsp orange zest
- 4 oz almond paste
- 2 eggs
- 1/4 cup almond oil
- 1/4 cup orange juice
Candied kumquat:
- 1/4 cup water
- 1/2 cup honey
- 1/2 pint (about 16) kumquats, thinly sliced with peel on
Directions:
- Preheat oven to 350F. Lightly coat a 6″ cake pan with a nonstick baking spray.
- Mix dry ingredients (almond flour, whole wheat pastry and salt) in a bowl. Keep aside.
- In a stand mixer with s paddle attachment, add almond paste and 2 eggs. Beat on medium-high speed for a minute until pale and smooth.
- Drizzle in almond oil, orange juice and orange zest. Beat until completely combined.
- Add dry ingredients and beat on low, enough until it combines. Do not over mix cake batter.
- Evenly spread cake batter into greased cake pan. Bake for 30 minutes.
- While cake bakes, prepare candied kumquats. Heat a small saucepan on medium.
- Add water, honey and thinly sliced kumquats. Bring it to boil for 2 minutes. Bring the heat to low and simmer for 15 minutes until syrup thickens.
- Poke some holes into warm almond cake and drizzle candied kumquat thick syrup all over. Arrange candied kumquats onto almond cake and leave to completely cool before serving.
From our family to yours, have a very Merry Christmas & Happy Holidays. We hope you enjoy this precious moments with your loved ones. Live, Laugh and Cherish Every Moment 🙂
What is your favorite Christmas cake recipe? I grew up eating variety of fruit cakes during the holiday season!
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Merry Christmas to you too, Kiran and I’m sorry to hear you haven’t been well. I do hope it didn’t spoil your Christmas. The cake looks amazing and that’s a great recipe for cumquats xx
Hotly Spiced recently posted..Merry Christmas 2012
A beautiful cake! Kumquats are such lovely fruits.
Happy Holidays.
Cheers,
Rosa
Merry Xmas to you and your family too. I am sorry about your health but hopefully you will feel much better. I love the simple cake idea with delicious, candied kumquat. Hope you will get most out of your vacation with the family 🙂
Hi Kiran,
I am in love with your blog, keep up the good work. The cake looks so tempting. When I see your amazing recipes, I wish I could also bake. I tried baking Nutella cookies but they came out gooey. 🙁 Any suggestions? I preheated the oven at 250 degrees and then baked my cookies for 7-8 mins.
And hey get well soon! 🙂
Surabhi @ Womanatics recently posted..34 Bubblegums and Candies – book review and a GIVEAWAY!
Yummy and inviting !!
Merry Christmas Kiran! What a beautiful cake 😉 I’m sorry to hear you suffer from vertigo. I do also. About 20 years now, and have just learned to manage and live in such a way that I don’t aggravate it. Strange stuff it is….and can really change one’s plans when it comes on.
Hope you feel better soon!!
Denise @ Creative Kitchen recently posted..Easy homemade cranberry sauce {Holiday Favorite}
Hope you can enjoy the rest of your time there! That cake looks like a good start for enjoying!
PolaM recently posted..Merry Christmas!
This is such a gorgeous cake! Love the look of it 🙂
Enjoy your holidays!
Merry Christmas, I hope you had a great time despite you did not feel well. It’s always the best to be sick when people you love are around 😉
Marta @ What should I eat for breakfast today recently posted..Semolina with jam
What a gorgeous cake, your photos are stunning!
Laura (Tutti Dolci) recently posted..winter white cupcakes + nielsen-massey vanillas giveaway
This cake looks so fresh and lovely! Love the colors! Pinning it to my board!
Julia | JuliasAlbum.com recently posted..Black bean pumpkin butternut squash soup
What an incredibly beautiful cake, the slices of candied kumquats look so elegant and delicate.
Sylvie @ Gourmande in the Kitchen recently posted..Grand Mimosa Recipe | A Sparkling Toast to the New Year
ooh how brilliant Kiran. Love the pairing of candied kumquats and almond. Absolutely delicious. Happy New Year to you and your family my friend!
Love the candied kumquats arranged on top..lovely! Have a very happy New year, Kiran. Love.
Sanjeeta kk recently posted..Recipe | Easy & Healthy Snacks – Fenugreek Muthia and A Fulfilling Vacation
oh nice idea with the candied kumquats and almond cake. It looks divine and so tempting. I hope you enjoyed the Christmas time and I wish you and your husband a happy new year!
What a bright and pretty cake…love these flavors!
Happy New Year!
Magic of Spice recently posted..What’s for dinner? Pappardelle Pasta with Candied Chestnuts and Quail Eggs
I love how the candied kumquat looks like on the cake, nice recipe.
Anyways Have a Prosperous New Year to you and your family!
Raymund recently posted..Espasol
Delicious cake Kiran! Have a wonderful full of joy and prosperity New Year!
Katerina recently posted..Vasilopita for 2013
Hi Kiran! I hope you’ve been well-rested by now!! Delicious kumquat cake! I’ve still yet to experiment with that fruit! hahaha.. Happy New Year to you and your family! Take care! 🙂
Sammie recently posted..Yule Log – Merry Christmas All!
This looks amazing and I’ve never had a kumquat! LOL.
Matt @ The Athlete’s Plate recently posted..P&G eStore
Once again, exceptional photography, styling, and recipe. Makes me feel good coming to visit you site. Hope you are having a wonderful holiday!
Jen L | Tartine and Apron Strings recently posted..Pulled Pork Al Pastor
this looks absolutely delicious… for a second I thought they were cherry tomatoes on top… sliced of course, very interesting cake.
hope you are enjoying your stay, i know it sucks leaving family. sorry!
honeywhatscooking recently posted..Best of 2012 – 15 best foods I ate!
Beautiful dessert Kiran, I love the almond cake and the layer of kumquat…
Happy 2013 and have a great week ,
That is a delicious looking cake. Hope you are keeping much better. Best wishes for the New year.
Hubby and I were just saying how crazy it is that Christmas is already over. The holiday season flew by for sure. I hope you are feeling better:-) This cake looks beyond beautiful, and the kumquats are so lovely on the cake! Sounds delicious, and I love love working with almond flour:-) Hugs, Terra
Terra recently posted..Homemade Salted Caramel Rice Krispie Treats
happy new year Kiran.. The cake is so beautiful! i love the texture of almond flour too. it just works so well with certain flavors.
Richa recently posted..Quinoa Shell Pasta, White Garlic Jalapeno Sauce with Carrots and Red Bell Pepper. Vegan Glutenfree Recipe
Happy New Year and hope that you’re feeling a whole lot better! Your cake is fabulous, as always, love those cute little kumquat slices all over the top. Would take that over frosting any day 🙂