I'm so excited to be here as a part of Mystery Lovers' Kitchen! I love food and cooking and talking about recipes. And I love mysteries! So this blog is the utterly perfect combination. Thank you ladies for inviting me to join you! (And by the way, it happens that this first post falls on my birthday--what a glorious present from MLK!)
Since AN APPETITE FOR MURDER was launched earlier this month, I have a feeling you all must be sick to death of hearing about Key Lime pie. But I could not resist staying with the lime theme, especially because this time of year we have the most amazing thing going on with our indoor lime tree--as you can see in the picture on the right (though sorry it's a little dark.) After we harvest the limes (maybe 8-10 of them), the tree goes back to looking barely alive. Then the cycle starts over. At my husband's insistence, we tried moving the tree outside in the summer. We developed a horrible infestation of aphids that I pinched off the leaves one by one, as I don't like to use pesticides. Obviously, it's never gone out again!
One of my favorite things to make with our limes is a very light but delicious Lime Sponge Cake. It's an excellent cake for spring, but I also made it for a Christmas party and served strawberry ice cream on the side so I'd have that red and green thing going.
INGREDIENTS:
6 large eggs, separated
1/2 teaspoon cream of tartar
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 cup sugar
2 teaspoons grated lime rind
1/4 cup lime juice
1/4 cup water
1 1/4 cup flour
powdered sugar (optional)
How to put it together:
Preheat oven to 325 degrees F.
In large bowl, place the egg whites with the cream of tartar and beat them with an electric mixer until they hold soft peaks. (You can test this by slowly withdrawing the beaters from the eggs. Soft peaks should stand up with the slightest droop at the top.) Next, gradually add 1/2 cup of the sugar, beating until whites are stiff but not dry.
In another large bowl, place separated yolks. Beat them with unwashed beaters until thick. Add remaining sugar, one tablespoon at a time, beating until the yolks are very thick and ivory colored.
To the beaten yolks, add the grated lime rind, lime juice and water, beating until just blended. Beat in flour and salt at a very low speed. Add the beaten egg whites to this mixture, and fold them in with a rubber spatula--gently.
Turn the cake batter into ungreased 10" tube pan. Cut through batter several times with a knife to break up any air bubbles and then smooth the top.
Bake at 325F for fifty minutes to an hour. The top of the cake will appear golden and the cake should spring back when lightly touched.
Invert on wire rack to cool. Loosen cake from sides of pan with spatula. Set on serving plate.
When the cake is completely cool, you may sift powdered sugar over top.
(On the left, you will see the most handsome Yoda overseeing the finished product. I don't think he's ever actually tried a piece of cake, but he's fond of posing with them. He is also one of the models for Evinrude the cat, in AN APPETITE FOR MURDER.)
Yoda has since gone on to his great reward, and there's a new cat in town, and 9 books published in the series. (Wow!) You can read all about them on my website or follow me on Facebook and Instagram.
And happy birthday Mystery Lovers Kitchen!
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ENTER OUR 10th ANNIVERSARY
10-BOOK (+ TOTE BAG) GIVEAWAY!
2-WEEKS OF FAVORITE, RETRO POSTS!
We're throwing a two-week party to celebrate a decade of blogging at Mystery Lovers' Kitchen. Every day (through July 13), one of the authors of MLK will post a retro "anniversary" recipe from our blogging past. Stop back each day to see what we post. Each time you leave a comment on a post, you'll earn an extra entry in our drawing and increase your chances of winning our grand prize package. Be sure to use the entry form above to register with our contest *and* be sure to leave a blog post comment. (You must do both to be entered.)
GOOD LUCK and...
HAPPY 10th ANNIVERSARY,
MYSTERY LOVERS' KITCHEN!
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10-BOOK (+ TOTE BAG) GIVEAWAY!
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featuring Mystery Lovers' Kitchen authors!
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2-WEEKS OF FAVORITE, RETRO POSTS!
HAPPY 10th ANNIVERSARY,
MYSTERY LOVERS' KITCHEN!
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The cake sounds so good...I love anything with citrus flavors. Thanks for the chance!
ReplyDeletethanks for stopping at our celebration!
DeleteHappy anniversary!
ReplyDeleteHappy anniversary! I have always wanted to try key lime pie
ReplyDeleteI've read all Key West series. Great books!! Hoping for more to come. The cake recipe looks yummy. Vicki
ReplyDeletenvictoria77(at)yahoo(dot)com
More of a pie person than cake. cheetahthecat1986ATgmailDOTcom
ReplyDeleteThis looks great! I have loved seeing every ones old posts. Happy anniversary!
ReplyDeleteWhat a delectable cake. I enjoy sponge cake and this key lime flavor is perfect for the hot summer. So yummy and I will be making this winner. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com
ReplyDeleteMy hubby would love this cake.
ReplyDeletescarletbegonia5858(at)gmail(dot)com
Ooh happy anniversary and thanks for sharing such a yummy sounding recipe!
ReplyDeleteThe Lime Sponge Cake sounds great. I think it's cool you have your own lime tree!
ReplyDeleteHappy Anniversary all! I don't know if it was your first post but I think the first post I saw on MLK was one of yours, and I have enjoyed many of your recipes since then. I especially remember some little cupcakes. Have to find that one again! And of course I have loved Hayley since book 1!
ReplyDeletesallycootie(at)gmail(dot)com
Welcome and Happy Birthday. Oh sweet thank you for this wonderful recipe. Guess what I will be making soon? My in laws used to have their own lime tree and the limes where huge and so juicy.
ReplyDeletequilting dash lady at comcast dot net
Love sponge cake - thanks for the recipe!
ReplyDeleteI LOVE sponge cake! I’ve never had it with lime! I’m very excited to try this recipe! I’m also SUPER EXCITED about possibly winning the cozy mystery giveaway!!!
ReplyDeleteHappy anniversary! Recipe does look good. But since I'm the only one that likes limes. I'll have to pass. It's kinda strange. When the kids were little I tried to find all the different foods to prepare that I could. I didn't want kids who were picky eaters. They ate what I prepared. Some had seconds. Some didn't. But even so. Some have formed such different tastes. Did I mention people are strange? Indeed we are.
ReplyDeleteHappy 10th Anniversary MLK!
ReplyDeleteCake looks delicious, good summer dessert.
diannekc8(at)gmail(dot)com
Not sure which I'm looking forward to more the opportunity to read "AN APPETITE FOR MURDER" or to try your Lime Sponge Cake recipe. :)
ReplyDeleteHappy 10th Birthday Mystery Lovers Kitchen!
2clowns at arkansas dot net
This cake sounds wonderful! Thanks for a chance to win. Happy Anniversary!! ljbonkoski@yahoo.com
ReplyDeleteI have also stopped moving plants outdoors and back in. The only time I ever appreciated a hitchhiking life form was when Prince the tree frog showed up indoors in December and stayed until spring. Mom had a kumquat tree she pollinated with a paint brush, but my citrus and pineapple plants have never bloomed.
ReplyDeleteI love Hayley and the gang, and all things Key West, especially
ReplyDeletethe limes! I remember when you joined MLK (after following you on
JRW for so many years!) Happy Anniversary and thanks for all the great books and recipes, Lucy/Ro! lola777_22 at hotmail dot com
I loved Key West when I was there and how I came to love Key Lime Pie! So, naturally, this recipe is something my friend will have to make for me. (I'm not making this or I'll eat the whole thing myself!) Happy anniversary, y'all and thank y'all for the great articles and great recipes!
ReplyDeleteteddi1961(at)arcemont(dot)com
Love the books and the cake sounds amazing. Off to the store for limes...
ReplyDeletekozo8989@hotmail.com
The recipe sounds great!
ReplyDeleteAwe, I had a cat named Yoda too. He had such big ears for his body when he was a kitten. Others have replaced him also. The cake sounds delicious. I have never tackled beating egg whites...I am interested in your books. They are new to me. I will check them out!
ReplyDeleteHAPPY 10TH BIRTHDAY to Mystery Lovers' Kitchen and all the wonderful authors!!
ReplyDeletesounds tasty
ReplyDeleteI love key lime pie, but I've never had a lime cake. Sounds so good!
ReplyDeletelime cake sounds delicious and the cats are adorable
ReplyDeleteI can't remember when I last had sponge cake. It's been so long. My daughter loves it.
ReplyDeleteThe cake looks delicious! I love this series! I love the pictures of Yoda and T-Bone! areewekidding(at)yahoo(dot)com
ReplyDeleteCitrus flavors are a definite go-to for me during the warmer months. Admittedly, I have never tried a lime sponge cake. Sounds delicious.
ReplyDeleteThe cake looks yummy. I don't think I had a cake with lime in it.
ReplyDeleteI love seeing cats on the covers of cozies! lindaherold999(at)gmail(dot)com
ReplyDeleteI love limes, so thanks for the recipe. doward1952(at)yahoo(dot)com
ReplyDeleteDoes this have to be baked in a tube pan? I don't have one of those but I have a bundt cake pan. Would that work?
ReplyDeleteLove, love, love having you aboard Lucy (Roberta). What a fun journey we're taking. ~ Daryl
ReplyDeleteLet them eat cake!(Let's all eat cake - this one looks delicious!) rebarger(at)bellsouth(dot)net
ReplyDeleteI love Key Lime Pie so I'm sure to love Key Lime Cake! Can't wait to read AN APPETITE FOR MURDER
ReplyDeleteLove anything with lime! Luscious.
ReplyDeletepatdupuy@yahoo.com
This sounds delicious. I like that it's light.
ReplyDeleteturtle6422 at gmail dot com
Happy Anniversary! 🎉
ReplyDeletejwhaley5@aol.com
Happy Anniversary! I love the recipe. Yoda is adorable.
ReplyDeletecristinaalaska(@)gmail(dot)com
Good pictures, especially the cats. I'd like to try the cake. Hope the cats don't get too near them.
ReplyDeletecatbooks72(at)gmail(dot)com
The cake sounds delicious
ReplyDeleteThis sounds light and lovely.
ReplyDeleteNow all I need is the pan!
Your lime sponge cake looks tasty!I love recipes that contain citrus!Thanks for sharing ! Happy Birthday to Mystery Lovers Kitchen! Congratulations !
ReplyDelete