Monday, July 9, 2012

A Berry Cool Treat to Beat the Heat

Huge thanks to Daryl (Avery Aames) for kindly posting a blog for me last week. We were among the millions who lost electricity to a storm that was like something out of a horror movie. I've never seen anything like it. I kept looking out the window for signs of a tornado, but there were only menacing clouds. Nevertheless, that wind uprooted our neighbor's ancient apple trees, and things were flying through the air like in The Wizard of Oz.

We were among the lucky because our power came back within 49 hours. I can't imagine what it must have been like for people who suffered through the heat for an entire week. My internet service provider was out for the entire week, and it's still a little bit wonky, so if I owe you an email, I'm working on catching up!

I missed a lot of the new release fun this time around. Ellery was kind enough to let me read Pies and Prejudice in advance, though, so I know what a delightful book it is.  Her protagonist bakes charmed pies, and that's the perfect word to describe her new series -- charming.

I was thinking of Ellery while I was baking. Our blackberries are ripe, and last night, when the temperature subsided to a balmy 92, I picked fresh berries. But what to do with them? I opted for something that's referred to as a cake, but baked in a pie shell -- which is why I was thinking of Ellery. This is a European country-style cake that's actually an upside-down pie of sorts.

I baked it in a 9 1/2 inch pie dish, but if I made it again, I think I'd use an 8 inch pie dish. Pick the berries the night before, or early in the morning, bake the pie and let it set in the refrigerator until you're ready to serve it. When it comes out of the oven, it will seem very runny. Don't worry, those juices are absorbed as the cake cools. It's perfect for this hot weather we're having. A berry cool treat.

I have more blackberries. What's your favorite blackberry recipe? Or do you simply admire them and move on when you see them?


European Country-Style Blackberry Cake
 
8-inch pie pan or cake pan
canola oil
2 cups blackberries, washed and picked over
(save 3 pretty blackberries as garnish)
2/3 cup sugar
cinnamon

2 egg yolks
1/2 cup sugar
1/4 cup milk (I used nonfat)
1 tablespoon melted butter
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup flour
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

whipped cream (optional)

Lightly grease the pan with the canola oil. Mix the blackberries with the sugar and a light sprinkle of cinnamon. Let stand.

Preheat oven to 350.

Beat the egg yolks with the sugar, add the milk and then the melted butter. Beat well. Mix the baking powder with the salt and flour and add to the egg mixture. Scrape the bowl, add the vanilla, and beat one last time.

Arrange the blackberries on the bottom of the pan in a single layer. Pour the batter over top of the blackberries.

Bake 30 minutes. Cool on a rack and refrigerate until set. Loosen edges gently until you can flip it over onto a cake plate.

Serve with whipped cream or ice cream. If you don't want to pipe the cream on the cake, dollop a spoonful in the middle, garnish with 3 blackberries, and pass the whipped cream for those who want it.


12 comments:

  1. I'm glad you and yours are OK. I can't even imagine not having AC right now! The recipe sounds delightful-I wish I could have some of your fresh blackberries! Although, odds are I'd put them all in a bowl, put some whipped cream on top and eat it all like that!

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    1. Katreader, the heat was terrible. It's amazing how something like that makes the rest of your life come to a screeching halt. It takes all your energy to just take care of simple things like water and food.

      Yum, berries with cream -- there's a classic. Maybe I should have just done that!

      ~ Krista

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  2. Oh my gosh those berries are beautiful, and so is the cake!

    We were out of power last fall for a week after hurricane Irene. It loses its charm after about a day. And so sorry for all the folks in those hot, hot states...

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    1. Lucy, I remember that. I don't know how you coped for an entire week without power. Ugh. How did people manage before air conditioning?

      ~ Krista

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  3. Sounds tasty! We have an accidental blackberry patch by the side of the house (it just kinda grew), and the berries are ripe. I'd better go grab them before the birds do!

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    1. Accidental blackberries might be the best. Certainly the easiest! What a lucky break. Tell me what you end up doing with them. We have more coming!

      ~ Krista

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  4. Gorgeous cake, Krista, I want to dig right in! Very scary what you went through. Marc and I were watching the developments on the news and wondering how you were getting through this terrible heat. How awful, and the loss of your neighbor's great old trees is so sad. But we're very glad to hear you're okay. A slice of your Blackberry Cake with whipped cream would certainly make me feel better!

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  5. Cleo, I think the Blackberry Cake made us feel better, too. I've been in some high winds before but I've never seen anything like that. Hope that was the last one for the next 100 years!

    ~ Krista

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  6. It's been so hot I couldn't even think of baking. Sandwiches and chips for us all week. We did eventually invest in an air conditioner and that has kept my family sane. When it does cool down and the berries are all ripe I'll opt for a traditional razzleberry pie with vanilla ice cream on top, yum!

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    1. I'm so glad you bought that air conditioner. The heat was simply unbearable. Of course, it was a good reason to eat ice cream. Traditional razzleberry pie . . . hmm. I may have to bake one!

      ~ Krista

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  7. Krista, when I lived in Charlotte, NC, we had an ice storm that knocked out the city for 10 days. It was just the vice versa of your nightmare. Nothing flew through the air, but trees dropped limbs and power lines for days. No power. Cold, cold. We used the barbecue outside to cook. Everything in the refrigerator had to be eaten or tossed. I can't imagine dealing with the heat like you did.

    Love this recipe. It's so pretty. Especially turned upside down. I adore blackberries. As a girl, we had lots of vines and I made dozens of blackberry pies every summer. I miss those vines! Berries can be so expensive these days and they turn so quickly. But I'm giving this a try. Can't wait. (GF of course for me...)

    ~Avery aka Daryl

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  8. Avery, we actually debated whether it's worse to lose power in summer or winter! I think it's worse in any extreme weather. It's easier to bundle up in the winter, but that's miserable, too.

    Hope you find some lovely blackberries. We're enjoying ours!

    ~ Krista

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