Clementine Cake

I am mildly obsessed with Pinterest.  I love finding neat recipes, cool dresses, funny pictures, inspiring quotes, and a lot of really interesting photography.  My favorite part is definitely the recipes. 

The recipe that inspired my Clementine Cake was posted by a friend on pinterest and when I followed it to the blog (http://somekitchenstories.com/2012/01/11/clementine-cake-my-lovelies/ )  I was pleasantly surprised to find not only a unusual recipe, but a funny story from Little Women: Vampire Hunters, and the recipe was written in the style of Nigella Lawson.  What more could I want from a blog post!?!? 

Step 1: Simmer clementines for 30 minutes

Step 2: Cut butter into small chunks and

add to food processor

Step 3: Remove clementines from water, cut

into 4ths and add to food processor.

Step 4: Pulse until the clementines are pulverized

to tiny bits and no butter chunks remain.

Step 5a: Add sugar, vanilla, almond extract, eggs,

flour, and baking powder

Step 5b: Do not be alarmed at the brilliant orange

color of the batter.

Step 6: Bake in a greased 7x12 inch pan for

25-30 minutes until edges are golden brown.

Be aware this is a fairly dense cake,

it won't rise a lot.

Step7: Frost while still slightly warm

 for maximum ooey-gooeyness.

Clementine Cake

5 whole clementines

1/2 cup butter

1/2 cup sugar

2 eggs

1/2 tsp. almond extract

1 tsp. vanilla

1 1/2 cups flour

1 1/2 tsp baking powder

Bring 6 cups of water to a boil in a 2 quart sauce pan.  Add clementines and reduce to a simmer for 30 minutes.  Meanwhile preheat oven to 350 F, grease a 7x12 inch baking pan, cut butter into small cubes and add to the food processor.  When clementines are done remove from boiling water and cut into 4ths, add to the processor.  Pulse until clementines are pulverized and no butter chunks remain.  Add remaining ingredients and pulse just until flour is incorporated. Pour into prepared pan and bake for 25-30 minutes until a toothpick or knife comes out clean and edges are golden brown.  Let cool for 30 minutes, meanwhile make frosting.

Almond Buttercream

1/4 cup butter, softened

1/4 cup plain yogurt

1 tsp. vanilla

1/2 tsp. almond extract

1 lb. powdered sugar

2-4 Tbs. milk or water

Use a hand mixer or wire whip attachment with stand mixer to combine butter, yogurt, extract, and vanilla.  Add powdered sugar, mix on low adding milk or water as needed to get all powdered sugar incorporated.  Then beat on high for 2 minutes, until very fluffy.  Spread on cake.

PS: Don't throw out the water you boiled the clementines in.  After removing the clementines add a couple tea bags and steap for a few minutes.  Then drink hot or pour over ice.