Thanks to a very productive row of citrus trees, we currently have more citrus fruit than we know what to do with! Suggestions on what to do with an over abundance of grapefruit would be much welcomed. I was thrilled to discover that one of the trees is a lime tree, as lime is one of my favourite flavours in both baking and Asian style cooking (and alcoholic drinks). I trawled the internet trying to find a lime recipe that tickled my fancy, when I came across a recipe for Lime Syrup Cake in the latest issue of Australian Good Taste magazine – the beautiful picture jumped out at me and miraculously I had nearly all of the ingredients required.
I’ve never made a sour cream cake before and I loved how light and fluffy the end result was. The syrup added a beautiful sweetness but the lime stopped it from being sickly sweet. While the original recipe didn’t include coconut, I included a generous handful of my favourite moist coconut flakes because I LOVE the combination of lime and coconut. My pilot rated this cake as one of his favourites out of everything I’ve made. The recipe is quite long and I can’t find an online link to it, but once it’s up on the Taste website I will include a link (of course, if you want the recipe before then just grab a copy of Good Taste!).
Ingredients
Using my favourite chopping device
Ready for the oven
Just out of the oven
I checked the cake when it had about 5 minutes to go and the top was looking perfect – but wouldn’t you know it, the crack on top developed in the last 5 minutes! Luckily artfully arranged lime slices can cover all manner of sins…However nothing could cover the fact that when slicing the cake, I discovered the very middle part wasn’t fully cooked – oopsy! Luckily it was only a small part and the rest of the cake was delicious – but next time I will pay more attention and insert my trusty skewer to ensure it’s cooked through!
Lime & Coconut Syrup Cake
In non baking news, things are very much looking up in my universe. I start a new job this week in a field that I am interested in that pays more than peanuts (hurrah), I am planning a trip to Europe in July with my pilot and I have been accepted into a training course for really interesting volunteer opportunity. 2013 started off with unemployment (and a fairly severe hangover) but it’s definitely shaping up to be a much better year than 2012.
Pasta Maker
Thanks to my pilot, I am now the lucky owner of a pasta maker! I hope to be sharing some delicious pasta posts in the near future once I master the basics.
Green Tree Frog
These little guys are everywhere up here. They often make themselves at home next to our front door. Also common are the beautiful bright blue Ulysses butterflies – it really is like living in paradise up here!
Josephine Falls
We’ve been frequenting the local swimming holes since the beaches are full of nasty stingers. Icy cold water has been a welcome respite from the recent 38 degree days!
New Additions
Meet our new additions – Mallard ducks named Robo & Waddles. They are super cute and do everything together!
Cake Display
My beautiful new cake display – a gift from my parents. It’s almost too pretty to use – I’ve yet to make anything worthy enough to be displayed on it!
I hope everyone has had a great weekend wherever you may be. Please share your favourite lemon/lime/grapefruit recipe with me, as I want to use all of this beautiful fruit that nature is providing x
Nice pasta maker! I want one.
Will definitely try this lime and coconut cake when I get my hands on the recipe. It’s one of my fave flavours too.
I can’t wait to use it, the heat has put me off attempting sticky dough – hopefully it gets a little cooler soon and I will give it a try.
I blame you for the nasty hangover
That cake looks delicious! And OMG I want/need that chopper!!!!
I will never forget that hangover……
Limes! They’re my favourite.
Robo and Waddles could also be the best names for ducks I have ever heard. Kudos.
They are one of my favourites too, they go so perfectly with so many things!
Thanks – unfortunately I can only take responsibility for Waddles, the pilot is responsible for Robo. They are so cute!
Oh the cake looks so delicious!
I love your landscape images too, we have visited that area also and have great pics
When a cake cracks it means that the top layer of batter has set whilst the middle layer is still cooking and rising. Usually this is because the oven is a fraction too hot and has cooked the top first. Hope that helps… its my nana’s advise
Thanks! Cairns is beautiful, there are lots of amazing places to explore. Going to start exploring some more of the local produce, there are some amazing chocolate and cheese makers up here..
And thank you so much for the tip – super helpful, I didn’t know that but will definitely set the oven a little lower next time.
Congrats on the job Jharna! We should catch up sometime (I’m pretty sure we live in the same suburb…not stalkerish :-p)
Would definitely love to meet up! Send me an email at jharna@bakingmyselfhappy.com and we can organise something. I have stalked your blog too and we sound like we have lots in common
such lovely things for us to enjoy – cute ducks, delicious cakes!
could you make marmalade with your grapefruit? that would be my bet. grapefruit sorbet/ices?
I hadn’t considered Marmalade – I might give that a try! There are so many of them growing on the tree, I’m thinking I will try a grapefruit and mint sorbet shortly too.
You have some great things in your kitchen , including all those limes!. Love your baby Ducks too.
Thanks! I do love my little kitchen and my gadgets, and you can’t do better than getting ingredients straight from the garden. We love our little ducks too, although they aren’t quite so little anymore!
Your chocolate tart looks amazing!
Great set-up Jharna. Looking forward to viewing more. Merran.
Thank you! Glad you like it – hope we can get down to see you soon x
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