I finally started to feel the change in season. The crisp autumn wind is here and so are early morning chills. There are some rare glimpses of autumn shades here and there but mostly, the leaves are changing color from green to brown. Sun's direction has changed and I have shifted my indoor basil plant from its original place to get more sunlight, hoping that it would survive the season.
At times, the temperature shoots up giving us a feel of summer once again but on most days, it’s perfect - neither too hot nor too cold. Cooking and baking has become more fun. It’s doesn’t make me sweat rather it warms me up. Fall fruits and vegetables have crowded the market and we are indulging as much. So, the other day when I craved for an uncomplicated and comforting cake, I reached out for figs. And our home smelled autumn! This is what I love the most about baking with fresh fruits.
I fell in love with fresh figs at the very first bite. The smooth feeling from its leathery skin, the petite size that can perfectly fit even in a baby’s hand and the beautiful red seeds. No peeling, no fuss, no runny juice, no mess! And it’s extremely photogenic.
It was one of those effortless baking experiences. A quick whisk and the cake batter was ready. A few chops and the topping was ready. When the ingredient itself is so gorgeous, why muddle with it? It can be served as a tea cake or fancy it up with some honey lemon drizzle on top for that extra richness and refreshing flavor. Either ways, it will taste light and moist. It's neither too dense nor overly sweet. The cake stayed fresh and moist for a week in the refrigerator.
Adapted from this book, the cake made my day. And Arvind gave me a *thumbs up* even though he doesn't like fig that much!
Honeyed Fig Cake
Ingredients
- ½ cup butter (softened plus a little bit more to grease the pan)
- ½ cup powdered sugar
- 2 eggs (kept in room temperature)
- 1 cup ground almond or almond flour
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¼ cup all-purpose flour (plus extra to dust on the baking pan)
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- pinch of salt (avoid it if you are using salted butter)
- zest of one lemon
- juice of half lemon
- 6 to 7 fresh figs (cut in quarters)
For the drizzle on top
- 2 tablespoons honey
- juice of half lemon
Instructions
- Grease a six inch round baking pan with butter and dust it with flour. Keep it aside.
- Preheat the oven to 375F.
- In a batter bowl, whisk butter with sugar until it's mixed properly. Crack two eggs, add to the bowl and whisk until it's creamy.
- In a separate bowl, mix all the dry ingredients - flour, ground almond, baking powder and salt.
- Pour the dry ingredients to the wet ingredient's bowl and whisk until smooth and creamy. Add vanilla extract and give it another whisk.
- Pour the batter to the greased pan and top it with the quartered fresh figs.
- Put it in the middle rack on the oven and bake for 30 to 35 mins.
- Insert a knife and if it comes out clean, cake is ready.
- In a bowl, mix honey with lemon juice and just before serving, drizzle it on the cake.
Notes
- If the cake gets brown on top and remains uncooked at the center, keep the oven door partially open and continue baking.
- The cake can be made in advance and kept in the refrigerator for up-to a week. It stays moist!
Nutrition
Colette @ JFF!
Lovely pics. Gotta try your recipe.
Vimitha
Looks so stunning and nice flavorful cake Kankana
Kiran
Love this cake and how the colors complements the season 🙂
Radhika@JustHomemade
The fig cake looks gorgeous.. Have to try my it (eggless) now!
Divya
Beautiful!
Shema George
Beautiful clicks as always....Feel like eating the cake right off the screen as I love figs...super like 🙂
thyme (Sarah)
Absolutely stunning photos. I love every single one!
Arch
How beautiful...fresh figs are truly amazing, they taste so great. Love that cake, it looks gorgeous and figs and honey make such a beautiful combination
Manju
I've never eaten figs...and everytime I see a recipe with figs I tell myself I should go and buy some , atleast to taste them.
Well your pics have tempted me to the highest level now...Awesome!!! 🙂
Jennifer (Delicieux)
What a gorgeous cake Kankana! Those photos are just stunning. Especially the one of the figs on the chopping board.
baker in disguise
oooo.. i absolutely love figs.. and I have a fig cake.. something similar filed away for when the figs hit the market out here!!!beautiful photographs!!
Shabunam
Just three words, beautiful , beautiful , beautiful 🙂 .
Spandana
Love the first pic kankana,... The cake looks absolutely delish!!
indugetscooking
Pictures give you a warm and cozy feeling. Nice to be curled up with a book and a slice of that cake. Figs do look so photogenic.
ray
Oh my goodness, Kankana! I love your shot of the figs. Your composition and color quality is like nostalgic. Amazing!! 🙂
Simone
This looks beautiful and tempting Kankana! I love figs too although they seemed to have disappeared already from the markets. Their season is way too short. Beautiful shots!
Reem | Simply Reem
Gorgeousness!!!!
Laura (Tutti Dolci)
So beautiful, I love the honey drizzle in your first shot! I like your new banner for fall as well :).
Anamika
this is real tempting Kankana, I am in love with figs both fresh and dried...yday only ordered fresh figs in my online grocery shopping, now feel like making this cake with figs :)!
Krittika
Amazing Pics Kankana...will be definitely baking this recipe this fall.. thanks for sharing!