Apricot Cake

Fluffy Cake with Caramelized Apricots

This delicious dessert, a fluffy cake with apricots, is a perfect choice for any time of the day. Whether you enjoy it at breakfast, as a sweet snack between meals, or after a comforting dinner, this recipe will delight your taste buds. With a sweet-tart flavor and a slightly moist texture, it's truly a treat. Let's discover together how to prepare it!

Preparation time: 20 minutes
Baking time: 40 minutes
Total time: 1 hour
Number of servings: 12

Ingredients

- 6 large eggs (preferably at room temperature)
- 100 g butter (melted and cooled, plus a little for greasing the pan)
- 300 g sugar (preferably fine sugar)
- 250 g flour (preferably type 000)
- 1/2 packet baking powder
- 1 packet vanilla sugar (or 1 teaspoon vanilla extract)
- 500 g apricots (fresh, well-ripened)
- 1-2 tablespoons ground cinnamon (for rolling the apricots)
- A pinch of salt (to help stabilize the egg whites)

Necessary utensils

- Baking pan (preferably 30x20 cm)
- Large mixing bowl
- Electric mixer or whisk
- Silicone spatula
- Grater for butter
- Sifter for flour

Preparation

1. Preparing the ingredients
Wash the apricots well under a stream of cold water. Cut them in half and remove the pits. If you want to add extra flavor, you can slice the apricots. Make sure they are well-ripened for a rich and sweet-tart cake.

2. Separating the eggs
In a large bowl, separate the egg whites from the yolks. It is important that the bowl in which you beat the egg whites is completely clean, without any traces of fat, to achieve perfect foam.

3. Beating the egg whites
Add a pinch of salt to the egg whites and use the mixer to beat them until they form stiff peaks. When the egg whites start to stiffen, gradually add the sugar and vanilla sugar. Continue mixing until you achieve a glossy, firm foam. This is the essential step to ensure a fluffy cake.

4. Adding the yolks and butter
In another bowl, mix the yolks with the melted and cooled butter. This will add a rich flavor to your cake. Use a spatula to incorporate this mixture into the egg whites, being careful not to deflate the volume achieved.

5. Incorporating the flour
Sift the flour together with the baking powder to avoid lumps. Gradually add this mixture to the egg composition, using a spatula to gently mix. It is important not to overmix, just until the ingredients are combined.

6. Preparing the pan
Grease the pan with butter and dust it with flour, ensuring it is evenly coated. This will prevent the cake from sticking to the pan.

7. Assembling the cake
Pour the cake mixture into the prepared pan. Arrange the apricot slices on top, rolling them in cinnamon beforehand. This step will not only add a wonderful flavor but will also give a beautiful aesthetic to your cake.

8. Baking
Preheat the oven to 180°C (moderate heat) and bake the cake for about 40 minutes or until it passes the toothpick test. Insert a toothpick in the middle of the cake; if it comes out clean, the cake is ready!

9. Cooling and serving
Let the cake cool in the pan for 10-15 minutes, then invert it onto a serving platter. Sprinkle powdered vanilla sugar on top for an elegant look and sweet flavor. Cut into portions and serve with a cup of tea or coffee.

Chef's tip

For an extra burst of flavor, you can add some chopped nuts to the cake mixture. Also, if you don't have fresh apricots on hand, you can use canned apricots, but be sure to drain them well from excess syrup.

Possible variations

1. Peach cake: You can replace the apricots with peaches for a different flavor.
2. Adding chocolate: Incorporate some dark chocolate pieces into the mixture for an interesting contrast of flavors.
3. Cinnamon: If you're a spice lover, you can add a splash of almond extract to the mix.

Nutritional benefits

This cake contains ingredients that provide a combination of carbohydrates from flour, proteins from eggs, and healthy fats from butter. Apricots are an excellent source of vitamins, especially vitamin A and vitamin C, contributing to a healthy immune system. Each serving has approximately 290 calories, making it a decent choice for a dessert.

Frequently asked questions

1. Can I use other fruits?
Yes, the cake works well with other fruits such as plums, apples, or even berries.

2. How can I store the cake?
Keep the cake in a closed container at room temperature for 2-3 days or in the refrigerator for a longer period.

3. Is it suitable for vegans?
To adapt the recipe to a vegan one, you can use an egg substitute and vegan butter.

I encourage you to try this simple and delicious recipe for caramelized apricot cake, perfect for any occasion! Enjoy!