Saturday, October 9, 2010

Cardamon and Rose Flavored Ricotta Pound Cake (Paneer Cake)

Dear All,

Ricotta Pound Cake,Paneer Cake,Cardamon and Rose Cake
Today's post is a very special and close to my heart. This post is dedicated to two very special individuals in my life...my mom and my dear roomy V. Today is my mom's birthday and I just wanna wish her.."Happy Birthday Ma", I know I may not express it enough but I love you very much and today whatever  I am is because of the culture and integrity that you built in me! Cant thank you enough mumma!!

Ajay&Vrushali
  V and A, made for each other :-)

Now its V's turn, she is one of my closest and sweetest friend, though we both are roommates but I feel more like sisters and of course I being the eldest :P She is a sweetheart and I adore her! Very emotional and sensitive but at the same time rock solid and steady, now thats an awesome combo wouldnt you say? No wonder A has fallen hard for her and now they both are ready to tie a knot very soon! Congratulations guys! A calls me mother-in-law in context that V is my daughter :-) Now being a mother-in-law I have certain responsibilities towards my daughter's future which I do take very seriously :P Usually I need to bear with the dowry requests coming in from A where he demands for cakes and in return I make him cook food..lol. A is a hardcore punjabi and a fantastic cook himself! On this special occasion I wanted to make something festive  like halwa or some bengali sweet but the baker in me immediately took charge and I ended up baking this gorgeous melt in mouth Cardamon and Rose flavored Ricotta Pound Cake!

I had bookmarked Ricotta Pound Cake from Aparna's blog the moment I saw it and this was the perfect occasion to make one, as usual made some changes, added powdered cardamons and some rose water and it came out fantastic! Got 2 thumbs up from A and V both! Ricotta is not available in India and Paneer  (Indian Cottage Cheese) can be easily substituted for this. For cakes always use freshly homemade paneer and not the ready made ones, trust me this makes a lot of difference to the texture of cake. I know its a little extra effort but its well worth it! How to make paneer at home is here.
Parita&Vrushali
                                                          Myself and V, don't we look cute?

Cardamon and Rose flavored Ricotta Pound Cake
Adapted from Aparna's blog, original recipe here
Ingredients:-
3/4 cup fresh paneer or ricotta, its about 180gms (I used entire paneer from 1litre full fat milk)
3/4 cup all purpose flour, 110 gms
1 tbsp cornflour
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
1 egg at room temperature
1/3 cup unsalted butter (75 gms)
3/4 cup sugar, 150 gms
1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
2 tsp freshly crushed cardamon seeds
2 tbsp rose water or 1 tsp rose essence
handful of raisins, soaked in water/rum for minimum 2hours, drained
1 vanilla bean, split and seeds removed or 1 tsp vanilla essence (optional but preferred)

Procedure:-
  • Grease and flour a 6'inch round cake pan . Preheat the oven to 180 degrees C.
  • Sieve flour, cornflour and baking powder. Keep it aside.
  • In a blender/mixer add freshly made paneer with 2 tbsp of rose water and make a smooth paste.
  • Put this paneer in a bowl, add in butter and beat it well. Use a beater for this but I did it using hand and didnt face any problems, its just that it takes a little more effort and plus its a very good exercise for hands :)
  • Add in sugar and beat till light and fluffy.
  • Now add in vanilla seeds, eggs and powdered cardamon and beat well.
  • Add in flour mixture in 3 turns and beat gently.
  • Finally add in drained raisins and give it a quick stir, donot beat.
  • Fold the batter in the greased and floured pan and bake at 180 degress for 35 to 40 mins or until a tooth pick inserted comes out clean!
  • Remove from oven and let it cool for 10 mins.
  • Once cooled completely, remove from tin and serve it plain and simple or with some whipped cream and fruits!

Ricotta Pound Cake,Paneer Cake,Cardamon and Rose Cake

Verdict? I am planning to prepare a chocolate version of this cake very soon..yeah you guessed it right! The cake is a winner with melt in mouth texture and so soft and moist! Infact truly said its the softest cake I have ever made! It cuts extremely well and the recipe is very versatile.

Until next time take care and have fun!

Love,

53 comments:

  1. Hi Parita,

    A lovely write up and a beautiful cake dear...

    Dr.Sameena@

    www.myeasytocookrecipes.blogspot.com

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  2. U both looks like twins, pound cake looks super soft and prefect..Gorgeous cake indeed..

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  3. Happy Birthday to your Maa, thats always very special for daughters as after a time we are the one to reverese our roles and to play mother to our Mums. you and your friend look like twins and love your beutiful hair.
    the cake no doubt look delicious. recently I tried rose water in baked goodies and am totally a covert.

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  4. Lovely writeup ..you look very cute.
    Cake looks super delicious and soft

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  5. Fantastic clicks..beautiful write up da..with mouthwatery cake...hats off ..:)

    Tasty Appetite

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  6. Happy birth day Parita. Cake looks delicious.

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  7. Lovely dedication Parita. Beautiful texture and soft cake.

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  8. Happy birthday to amma :) Wish her a healthy and happy life ahead :) And mom is so lucky to get a sweet daughter like you :)

    Wow.. daughter and mother-in law sounds extremely cute and funny :) V and A look really nice together :) Advanced wishes to them for their wedding :)

    Btw you look so so so cute in the pic :) Love your hair :)

    The cake is perfect and fantastic. :) Wish I could smell it through the comp :P yummy yummy :)

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  9. Happy bday to your mom!..ricotta is my new found love these days.The cake looks soft with cardamom flavor.Nice friends & family pics!

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  10. Oh pari.....thats a very sweet post....I have been reaaaaaaaaallly busy and lazy together(i hate this combination)and was away from blog hopping too...Just thought of u today, havent been in touch for quite a while....so thought of stopping by and saying a hi...i loved ur cake..have seen at ap's place a while back...i think i need to give it atry as well...

    love,
    shabs.

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  11. the cake looks delish..and god bless the couple..both r looking made for each other !

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  12. lovely cake and a very sweet writeup about you and your friend! Happy B'day to your mom!

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  13. That looks delicious. I love cheesecake. You are a very good daughter and mother-in-law..lol

    You and your roommate are so pretty. Happy birthday to your mom and congrats to your friend:)

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  14. Luv the cake soft and spong..hmm the way I like it...I like all the ingredients that goes into the cake ...yum!

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  15. Lovely write up and love your presentation!

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  16. Bday wishes to your mom..hope she had a wonderful day and am sure she loved this yummy cake too...different flavours & so tasty...very moist and delicious..

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  17. Hi Parita
    Birthday wishes to your mom.
    Great clicks, thanks for sharing them.
    Lovely post ♥

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  18. oh yess indeed very cute pic of you and ur friend, ur cakes look soft and spongy, loving the addition of rose water :)

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  19. Thats one Sweet Post!!! Cake looks absolutely delicious!!!!

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  20. What a lovely post, Parita! Happy birthday to your mom, and that picture is very cute of you and V! The cake sounds wonderful with cardamom and rose!

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  21. Great post. It's awesome that you've found such people in a place unknown. The cake looks delicious. I've never really tried baking with paneer!

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  22. Lovely Post..cake looks soo delicious!!

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  23. what a lovely post! Happy birthday to your Mom and lots of best wishes to V.

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  24. Birthday wishes to your mom & good luck to your friend. Great post. Cake looks irresistible :)

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  25. Cake looks soft and moist...absolutely fabulous.

    Pushpa @ simplehomefood.com

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  26. Nice post Paritha.Cake looks superb.So moist and spongy!

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  27. That is a beautifull looking cake and Happy Birthday to your Mom.

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  28. It was so nice to read about your friend and the love you share.
    That cake looks awesome and the texture is perfect.

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  29. Happy birthday to ur Maa and awesome dowry given by MIL , hehehe... That is a wonderful to hear the story! So did A made any tandoori naan? if not torture him.... God bless them :)
    U and ur friend look awesome Parita!

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  30. You both look so much alike!
    Happy Birthday to your dear mum!

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  31. Yeah you both looks cute..and cake looks yummy..

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  32. A very happy birthday to your Mom and congrats on your new status in life. :)
    Rose water sounds good. Am glad you all liked this cake.

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  33. Looks great.. Happy Birthday Parita...

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  34. Awesome paneer cake! Happy B'day to ur Mamma and best wishes to A&V!

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  35. Happy Birthday to your mom.

    Your friend and your son in law ;-) looks so cute together.

    I loved the friends pic. Its really cute. (I am missing my friend now :-(

    And, yes, the cake looks gorgeous!

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  36. Ooo, thats a really innovative and original way to flavor a ricotta cake. The crumb on your cake looks so fluffy and delicious...I bet the cake is super-yummy.

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  37. Lovely write up parita! Looking so cute with your best friend! Yummy cake too! Birthday wishes for your mom and friend!

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  38. Pariiiiiiiiiii... this looks super yumm.. snap is gorgeous as usual..hw are you?? i was going through previous posts and saw ur comment in one..im so sorry in d delay i made to msg back..my 8month old princess is keeping me busy with her.. her name is Rithika.. doing fine..struggling to catch whatever is near to her..hwz life..we are settled in banglore nw..my hus joined in Yahoo..i cannot join in HCL as i was pregnent at that time..was very upset as it was my campus placement...then convey my regards to your mom..i will cm to pune in dec..catch u den..

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  39. Parita, thank you so much for the recipe! I'd love to give this a try!

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  40. Cool write up.....

    I m loving the cake... Visiting ur space after a while dear.How is ur new job treating u?


    CHeers
    Sandhya
    Sandhya's Kitchen

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  41. Yummy Cake Parita...and good memories of ur fren...U Have an Award waiting in my blog...collect it dear

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  42. Dear parita
    How R you? was bit tied up and cd nor visit your blog.
    My belated Bday greetings to your Ma and to V. Many happy returns of the day.
    Letme see what great dishes I have missed

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  43. Hello, There is a surprise waiting for you at my place!

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  44. Thats a yummy recipe..bookmarked...First time to ur lovely space...Excellent write ups too...Following u
    regards
    deepti
    http://www.panchamrutham.blogspot.com/

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  45. hi,
    Long time and happy to be back to ur blog :0 went through the few recipes that I missed...coollist there :)

    My best wishes to your mom!
    Many many congratulations and all the best to ur friends!!

    The paneer in cake sounds def. interesting! am sure the texture of the cake would be heavenly!!waiting for the chocolate version of the same :)

    Wishing you and ur loved ones a Happy, prosperous and safe Diwali!

    Enjoy
    TC

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  46. i just made ths ricotta cake,(yet to try) but could not wait to tell you.the texture and smell says its good.Thankx for the recipe.
    Cheers and happy cooking,
    Nikki
    titilating-tastebuds.blogspot.com

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  47. Thanks Parita for such a wonderful cake recipe,I tried the cake and the verdict,,,,,just wow,,it is different from regular pound cakes and the texture of the cake is just perfect.if some one is a fan of cakes like me and my husband ,i would highly recomend this cake.Must try cake,,,Next time I will make I will remeber to take pics so that I can post in my blog.
    cheers and happy cooking,
    Luv,
    Nikki

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  48. Hey Parita,,,did I tell u that I loved this cake,,,its simply yummm.anyone w ho loves to bake a nd loves to bake should give it a try..
    good going gurl.
    Nikki

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  49. hey Parita,,,looks like my comments are never published in ur blog,,don't u like getting commnets on ur blog or u dont appriciate anyone learning from ur space,,but anyways,,i wanted to know if you have objection if I put ur reference when i post this in my space.if you dont approve then I would put anonymous reference in my post.I'm planing for this post soon,,please let me know.
    Cheers,
    Nikki

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  50. OO my ..this cake looks ultra super moist...!!Loving it..
    Must try...

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  51. I wish I didn't stay in a hostel and had a kitchen to try out some of your recipes!!

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