Homemade Cakes
Brazilian Corn Cake
Ingredients
Corn, milk, cornmeal, sugar, vegetable oil, egg, parmesan cheese, grated coconut, baking powder.
History
This recipe came from a very good friend who lives in Minas Gerais. We met in 2004 in our masters program in Rio de Janeiro, and since then we have been exchanging recipes. This Brazilian state is an ultimate food destination, and it's impossible to have a bad meal there, mainly at my friend, Raquel's house. It's funny because the “mineiros” (what we call people who are born in minas gerais) have a typical way to measure your recipes. They don’t use cups or spoons, but instead they use cans or plates. Like in this recipe, the amount of milk is measured in the same can of the corn. And this cake is delicious because it has the flavor of the “pamonha”, a very traditional Brazilian food.
Orange Cake
Ingredients
Wheat flour, sugar, vegetable oil, orange, egg, baking powder.
History
My son’s favorite cake is the orange cake! I have tried many recipes and this was the best that I found and improved. It is made with real oranges in the dough and also moistened with a homemade orange sauce.
Brazilian Honey Cake
Ingredients
Whole wheat flour, wheat flour, honey, milk, brown sugar, egg, powder spices (cinnamon, glove, ginger, cardamom, nutmeg), baking powder, baking soda. Topping: dulce de leche, heavy tipped cream and dark chocolate.
History
This Honey cake is a redo of the most delicious little honey cake I've ever tasted! Mrs. Aliciene, the mother of a good friend of mine from dental school in Rodrigo, used to make these wonderful honey cakes!! He always took it to Curitiba (my hometown) when he came back from Ourinhos (his hometown), and his mother supplemented the family income with these sweets. After many years she gave me this recipe, which remains a success! The dough and the filling (dulce de leche) is the same as the little ones, but in this cake, the topping is ganache!
Brazilian Carrot Cake With "Brigadeiro"
Ingredients
Wheat flour, carrot, sugar, vegetable oil, egg, baking powder. Topping: condensed milk, heavy whipped cream, chocolate powder.
History
The carrot cake in Brazil is very different from the recipe from here in the US because it is not made with spices or nuts. And the topping is very different too. Instead of frosting, in Brazil, the carrot cake is topped with brigadeiro, which is made with condensed milk , heavy whipped cream and chocolate powder! However, it is difficult to get a recipe that doesn't have heavy dough. But I received this amazing one from a dear friend, Leandra. She is a food lover and has a great heart. She is definitely an inspiration for me, both as a baker and as a person!
Chocolate Cake
Ingredients
Wheat flour, sugar, chocolate powder, vegetable oil, water, egg, baking powder. Topping: heavy whipped cream, chocolate powder and sprinkles.
History
Who doesn't have a favorite recipe that your mom used to make in your childhood? This chocolate cake most resembles my mother! The delicious smell of this cake in the oven brings back so many memories. I remember looking forward to coming home from school to have a piece of this delicious cake. Food that feeds the heart!
Cold Coconut cake
Ingredients
wheat flour, sugar, egg, coke, baking powder. Topping: condensed milk, coconut milk and grated coconut.
History
This cake is like a childhood flashback for many people. How can you forget those birthday parties where it was on the table, cold and wrapped in foil, ready to be devoured, right there, without needing plates or cutlery? And this recipe is from a very special person. Ever since I was a kid, my mother's friend from work won me over with her cakes! She always sent me a piece of cake. And because I liked her so much, one day I asked if she wanted to be my “real” aunt. Aunt Maria Luiza is a charming person for her conversations, stories and the delights she makes in the kitchen. She always makes everything with love and care! I am grateful to have her recipes now with me!