A Southern Grace: sour squared

September 8, 2008

sour squared

Yum

You'd think that the combination of a sourdough starter and lemons would lead to an extremely sour product. Ah, the power of sugar.



Yes, my friends, Eb has returned. I continue to be amazed by his versatility. His goal this time was a lemon cake. For the record, I (along with the babies in this hilarious, must-watch video) am not a huge fan of lemons, but the recipe I found was unique and interesting, so I gave it a shot.


(I felt the need to add blueberries simply because they make everything better, pair so well with lemon, and are extremely photogenic.)

I was a little bit hesitant to take that first bite of finished product, but my fears were unfounded. In fact, if I hadn't made it myself, I never would've known that a sourdough starter was involved. There was a bit of that telltale tanginess in the background, but nowhere near the amount I expected. Lemon was definitely the predominant flavor, but the overall effect was actually pleasantly sweet. And of course, the glaze didn't hurt.


I took most of the cake to work and it was devoured. You'd think these people never get fed. Unfortunately, I'm beginning to take issue with the fact that my co-workers have stopped thanking me for bringing in these goodies. A girl likes to feel appreciated! I'm sorry to say that I can be a bit of a spiteful person, so if I don't get some gratitude soon, I'll be forced to stop feeding them.


Sourdough Blueberry Lemon Cake
(based on this recipe)

Cake:
1/2 cup butter, room temperature
1 cup sugar
Grated rind of 1 lemon
2 eggs
2 1/2 cups flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
3/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/3 cup lemon juice
1/3 cup water
1 cup sourdough starter
1 cup blueberries

Lemon glaze:
1 cup powdered sugar
2 teaspoons lemon juice
2 to 3 tablespoons water or milk

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Spray a 9-inch loaf pan or a mini loaf tray.
In a large bowl, cream the butter with the sugar and grated rind until light and fluffy. Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition.
In a separate bowl, combine the flour, salt, and baking soda. In another small bowl, combine the lemon juice, water, and starter. Add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture alternately with the lemon mixture, beating until fluffy. Coat blueberries with flour and fold into batter. Pour into the prepared pan and bake 1 hour, or until bread tests done (my mini loaves took about 40 minutes). Let the bread cool in the pan on a wire rack for 10 minutes.

For the lemon glaze, combine powdered sugar, lemon juice, and enough water to make a creamy frosting and mix thoroughly.

Remove the bread from the pan and pour on the glaze.

I'm contributing this to YeastSpotting, a weekly feature of the wonderful blog Wild Yeast.

49 comments:

Jessica@Foodmayhem said...

Grace, I have always been impressed with your Eb. I don't have the patience to raise more "pets"...but you always make me wish I did so I could try some of these yummy recipes. If you send me some, I will certainly send you a thank you card!

LyB said...

Can you believe all of your fabulous sour dough starter recipes haven't gotten me to make a starter yet? Every time you post a new recipe I'm all: "I have to make some starter, now!" But then, well, you know how it goes. But this time it's going on the to-do list, this looks too delicious to pass up.

To Grace's co-workers: You guys don't know how lucky you are!

Anonymous said...

dang you! if only you'd posted this a little earlier, before i left for work. now, here i sit at work, drooling on my keyboard, with no homemade goodies to distract me. that picture with the glaze.... i had to avert my eyes, grace. i want some of this in the worst way.

Anonymous said...

That looks so food pornalicious I am drooling! I love the idea of lemon, blueberries and glaze. And yes glaze can fix anything, it's the Windex of the cooking world

Bunny said...

Grace because of your wonderful sourdough recipes I was finally able to get some starter! Now i can all these wonderful recipes you post. I take recipes to work too, now if i go to work empty handed they say "what do goodies?"
Where's the love??

Prudy said...

It has been years since I had a starter, and technically it was really my mom's starter. I need my own independent woman sourdough starter and your cake has me inspired through and through. The pic that sent me over the edge into foody oblivion was the glaze drip. Monday morning is when I'm supposed to resign myself to healthier eating and less desserts. I usually last until Wed. but now that I started my week here, I don't have a chance in H.

Peter M said...

My, you do really dig your sourdough...and it shows in this moist cake...me want a piece, pleaze.

Robin said...

I love all the things Eb can do. This cake looks so moist and wonderful. I am going to have to look into making my own starter. I used to years ago for friendship cakes and such but stopped for some reason. Thanks for the reminder. BTW I love blueberries and lemon together!

Albany Jane said...

Oh, the power of blueberries. You can put blueberries in just about anything and it ups the 'omgawesome' level.

Anonymous said...

Holey Moley.... My coffee feels so lonely now...

Regarding the issue of being thanked, I always think of something I read about Buddhist monks going into the village at lunch time with their empty bowls. People fill them with food and do not receive a thank you. Without having the gratitude from the recipient, they have the chance to give just for the act of giving, receiving nothing in return. Yeah, it's never worked for me either ;)

Sharon said...

I ate like crap all weekend. I decided that on Monday, I'd start fresh. This post inspires me to screw it and keep on eating my sweets. The glaze looks so 'licious!!

The Blonde Duck said...

How dare they not thank you? They've come to expect delicious treats! Well, just wing down to the Pond where the Babies and I will get down on our hands and knees (paws and pink soft bellies in their case) to praise your culinary brilliance and creativity!

Maria said...

Oh yum!! Your pictures always get me from the beginning!! I haven't done a starter in a long time! Will have to try this out.

Paula said...

What an amazing opening photo! Please feel free to bring a cake over here to my house instead of sharing with folks at work! I can guarantee you that you'll be elevated to goddess status in this household! I am a fan of lemon, and I bet it worked brilliantly here. I'd much prefer this to blueberry muffins. I wish I was more of a baker!

Sandie said...

"Eb has returned," too funny...and yay!

I also want to say, "Thanks!" (I'm itching to stay on your good side, just in case we ever work together and you bring in goodies. Nothing like paying it forward!)

OhioMom said...

Oh yum, blueberries and lemon .. and the glaze don't hurt either.

Great pics!

Anonymous said...

Blueberries and lemons are one of my very favorite combos!
If your co-works don't appreciate you, send the goodies my way. I'll appreciate it, I promise :)

Deborah said...

You have seriously got to stop taunting me with those photographs! I'm not sure I'm going to make it until lunchtime now...

Lucy..♥ said...

That cake looks sooo yummy, true food porn! and I happen to have my sourdough starter needing some wakening just about now ;-)

Brittany said...

wow, what a unique recipe! Looks amazing! I need to get "started"...sooo punny.....

giz said...

I like that you're such a trailblazer even when it's not particularly something you like.
Your co-workers could be in for a rude awakening if they don't give you some appreciation. Won't they scorn when you bring something in for yourself and don't share.

Jenny said...

Mmmmm, this looks and sounds terrific! I'll be trying this very soon! Thanks for sharing. Gorgeous pics!

Marjie said...

With all that butter in it, how could it not be delectable?!

Anonymous said...

You are like the food porn mistress of the dark. These are some of the yummiest picks I've seen yet.

Sandi @the WhistleStop Cafe said...

My starter is working well. I've named it Kudzu~ maybe it will be as hardy.
I will have to give this a try!

Lori said...

One amazing cmbination, blueberries and lemon. And then throw in sour dough starter wow how enticing is that? It looks so luscious!

Pam said...

My father has had a sour dough start for over 30 years. This recipe looks amazing. My mouth is watering!

Emily said...

I know I would like this! I love blueberry and lemon together.

Shame on your co-workers! Come on people! Show Grace some love.

Natalie Que said...

You're not a fan of lemons?! Crazy talk! In general or just with sweet stuff?

This looks amazing, I love your photos! They make me want to EAT the food -okay, wait, that's not a good thing, maybe I don't like them!

Anonymous said...

Never heard of a sourdough starter cake but this one sure looks delicious!
So you decided to make this despite the fact that you don't like lemons and were hesitant about the sourdough taste...fabulous it turned out delicious!

Anonymous said...

Nothing better than blueberries and lemon, nothing worse than ungrateful tasters. Thank you for sending this delicious cake to YeastSpotting!

Valerie Harrison (bellini) said...

I made a breakfats cake recently with blueberries and had to add lemon too:D

RecipeGirl said...

Hmph.... I never really have thought about pairing a sourdough into a cake. I don't have any of that sourdough starter stuff. Something tells me I'd make too much bread if I did. And then I'd be a big balloon.

Good idea to add those blueberries. They do make everything prettier, don't they?

Lisa said...

Your cake looks terrific! I was just thinking about finding a lemon bread recipe to throw some of my blackberries into. I love the way the berry color oozes out into the yellow. So pretty!

Ann said...

Have mercy. I'm breathing heavy. Food porn at it's best - this is JUST carnal and gorgeous. I've blogged how I ADORE blueberries, but then you just THREW in that stream of glaze, didn't you? Yes, you did. Adore it.

I think you might just have to withhold your goods from the worklings for awhile. I sense they're taking you for granted and I'm not liking it - I'm just not liking it one bit!

La Bella Cooks said...

Wow, this makes me want to blow my diet and eat everything sweet I can get my hands on. I am impressed with you doing your own starter!

Sophie said...

Aww, I think your coworkers are getting spoiled! I'm actually quite surprised at how little the average person bakes...so when a baking blogger with tasty treats like you comes along, they just inhale all the treats and don't leave room for a thank you :D!!! But I'd say the fact that it was gobbled up just might be their way of showing their appreciation :).

Anonymous said...

tell 'em you'll sic Eb on 'em and they'll be covered in goo!! :)
Awesome cake

Leslie said...

Oh YES YES YES..this is divine!

Gloria Baker said...

Grace this look fantastic!!! xGloria I want a slice yah!!!! please!!

Laura said...

Wow... I love lemon, I love cake, I love blueberries and I love sourdough. This looks awesome!

Jacque said...

I had no idea that sourdough starter could be used in anything but bread... thanks! I'm enlightened now, lol.

It looks super yummy! And thanks for sharing the video of the babies. Funny how almost everyone of them scrunched their eyes shut tight.

Vera said...

Very intriguing! And looks great!

alexandra's kitchen said...

oh wow. this looks moist and delicious. i love lemon and blueberry together.

Jaime said...

ungrateful heathens! hopefully they start thanking you again soon :)

i LOVE lemons and i love fruit so i know i would love this, esp w/the icing!

Anonymous said...

Lemon and blueberries must go great together. Nice recipe:)

Anonymous said...

The idea of sourdough cakes just seem so alien to me... Gotta try this someday.. Maybe after I try my hand with conventional cakes.

Jeanne said...

Eb never ceases to amaze. Personally, I steer well clear of starters as the guilt when I let them die woudl kill me, and I KNOW it would happen...

Lemon and blueberries really is such a classic combination and your cake looks incredibly moist and delicious.

Anamika:The Sugarcrafter said...

Wonderful cakes you have made.....too fab,,much to learn from you ! Greetings to you from Botswana !