Cake with a view

Chocolate walnut cake in Glen Lyon

Sophia — Thu, 18 Apr 2013 05:22:53 +0000

Thank you to my wonderful hill walker friend, Graham, who hauled this chocolate and walnut cake to the shores of Loch an Daimh in Glen Lyon.

From Graham: “The cake was baked by my mum and was a lovely chocolate and walnut cake. It was meant to have pumpkin in it too but she couldn’t find any and I can’t remember what she put in instead. It was the first time my mum had ever baked a cake with bars of dark chocolate – it was delicious!”

In the world of cakes with views, Graham is best known for his tower of Mr. Kipling cakes on top of a Munro. But if you’re also a fan of Scottish history as well as cakes, check out Graham’s new educational app about the Jacobite Rebellions. I do miss Scotland, and all my friends. Gaun yersel, Graham!

Vanilla cake in Montenegro

Sophia — Sun, 24 Mar 2013 04:35:23 +0000

I’m back! Oh my, it has been awhile. Moving countries and starting a new and challenging job can be a little distracting, to say the least. But we’re settling in. We have a cat named Al, who will eat just about anything, so we get along fine.

I’m going to be playing catchup with some cracking cakes-with-views submissions. To start things off, thank you to @edinburghcake for sending this stunning photo of a vanilla cake in front of the remains of Stari Bar, in Montenegro.

What a lush and beautiful sight, and don’t the ruins look pretty as well? Lonely Planet travellers rank a visit to the ruins of Stari Bar on Lundža Hill as the number one thing to do is Montenegro. However, now we know that this view will forever be lacking if it does not also contain cake.

I’m alive again on Twitter @pleasebringcake, so tweet me your cake news and photos. Or you can find me on Pinterest. Thanks!

Perky tarts in Peachland

Sophia — Mon, 22 Oct 2012 14:37:24 +0000

My friend recently did her bit for breast cancer research and purchased a couple of very lovely “boob tarts” from Bliss Bakery in Peachland in BC’s beautiful Okanagan.

The original purchase had included the bakery’s trademark Bliss Bar, but the bar didn’t survive long enough to be in the view of Beach Avenue.

The tart: Meringue on top, sweet jam middle and custard bottom in a pastry shell. Dollop of jam for the nipple (as one does). And yes, this pair may look a little lopsided, but that doesn’t mean they weren’t equally delicious.

Bliss is a popular spot for locals and those in the know travelling through Peachland. Beach Avenue runs along the lake shore and is one of those places where you can feel the world slow down. Even better when there are treats to be had.

Cream slice in Slovenia

Sophia — Mon, 15 Oct 2012 05:29:00 +0000

Hello travelling cake lovers and welcome to Slovenia!

Pull up a seat on the banks of Lake Bled, with a spectacular rainy day view of the medieval Bled Castle.

Hotel Park has been selling their original cream slice (similar to a vanilla slice) since 1953.

Nothing like matching culinary history with a glacial lake in the Julian Alps, next to the oldest castle in Slovenia.

And now for the glorious cakey closeup. Many years of baking experience has resulted in some truly beautiful layering. Someone get me a fork.

Pistachio Macaron at Notre Dame

Sophia — Mon, 01 Oct 2012 04:53:21 +0000

If you know you’re going to be standing next to one of the world’s most iconic buildings, why not double your awe and consume something truly delicious while you’re taking in the unforgettable view?

Victoria couldn’t pass up the chance to photograph this sweet wee pistachio macaron with a view of the back of Notre Dame in Paris.

While not technically a cake, macarons are seen by many as a must-eat when visiting Paris. This one was from a patisserie in Le Marais on the Rue Vieille du Temple.

When it comes to matching views of iconic buildings with sweet desserts, what would be your ideal pairings?

Victoria Sponge at Cammerlaws Farm

Sophia — Sun, 16 Sep 2012 13:43:42 +0000

Oh, lovely Alison, you do know how to make me smile. A few cake ladies recently visited Cammerlaws Farm in the Scottish Borders, for a pop-up tea run by the mum of the also lovely Pamela, also known as Edinburgh Food Girl. Cammerlaws is a family-run, working farm and when the ladies visited there were even newborn calves to fawn over. And of course there was cake, which this horse thought was intriguing:

A second photo shows the same classic Victoria Sponge with a view of the farm house:

For more amazing photos (cake close-ups and a beautifully set table!) and a menu list of the afternoon tea, read Alison’s story or drop by Pamela’s blog here.

Key Lime Cheesecake over Okanagan Lake

Sophia — Tue, 11 Sep 2012 04:33:46 +0000

Living in B.C.’s sunny Okanagan, there is no shortage of clear sky days in which to search for new and exciting views. My friend and I found such a view last weekend after a visit to Summerland’s Sweet Tooth Cafe, where we bought ourselves a rather hefty slice of Key Lime Cheesecake.

Off we drove to Penticton, where we headed up Munson Mountain. The views were so good, we took three photos before setting upon the cake with our forks. In order, our views are over Okanagan Lake, some beautiful vineyards, and the City of Penticton.

Cake report: Super creamy with a gentle flavour of lime throughout, and a lovely crumbly base.

We both enjoy a bigger citrus punch, but the nothing beats the flavour of other people’s jealousy when you’re eating cheesecake on top of a mountain.

One family hiked past us and their little girl pointed and exclaimed in a shocked tone, “Those ladies are eating CAKE!” as if it was the most decadent thing she’d ever seen.

Our simple response: “We sure are.” Because it was 11am, and cake before noon is just how we roll.

We forgot to take a photo of the Sweet Tooth card with the cake, so all we have is the empty container. Can you spot any crumbs? Neither do I.

Honey cake atop Ben Nevis

Sophia — Mon, 03 Sep 2012 18:49:08 +0000

This week I received this spectacular photo by email. It is a Marlenka Honey Cake with a view from Ben Nevis in Scotland.

The Marlenka Honey Cake is the product of an old Armenian recipe first made popular in the Czech Republic as far back as the 1700s when the first coffee houses were opened in Prague. Today they are still made without preservatives and are the only cakes in the Czech Republic to be given the stamp of Natural Product status. You can read the whole cake story here.

The company sells more than 100,000 cakes a month in 28 different countries, including the UK, and even delivers cakes to Prague Castle. Alas, Canada does yet seem to be on their list, so I will have to wait a wee bit longer before I can try one. The cake pictured is their classic honey cake but they make other delights, including a cocoa honey cake and glorious looking little things called honey nuggets, which I would love to try.

The photo was taken by Vince during a recent family trip to Ben Nevis, the highest mountain in the British Isles at 1,344 metres (4,409 ft). More than 100,000 people climb Ben Nevis every year, but I would venture that few of them do so with cakes in tow.

Thank you Vince for the amazing photo. I hope you and your family enjoyed your cakes with such a wonderful (and clear day!) view.

Vic sponge by Dunsapie Loch

Sophia — Fri, 31 Aug 2012 04:36:35 +0000

When Edinburgh’s Fringe Festival was getting too much recently, Wendy from Inside Out Chef made an escape to a wee quiet corner of Holyrood Park near Arthur’s Seat, on the banks of the quaint Dunsapie Loch. And what escape is complete without a homemade mini Victoria Sponge?

When she’s not wandering the hills, Wendy is planning recipes and taking dessert photos that will make you swoon. You can visit her here or find her on twitter.

Three layers of wonderful in Vladivostok

Sophia — Tue, 28 Aug 2012 03:48:32 +0000

My friend went on a cruise. For 35 days. A 35 day cruise. I had two requests when she left: that she strategically leave a series of happy face stickers around Asia and Eastern Europe, and that she occasionally take photos of cakes with views.

She tells me the happy faces all have new homes, and the following is her first photo offering. Of course I have already forgiven her for going on such a long and luxurious holiday.

This three layer white sponge, white chocolate and apricot cake was made by the amazing bakers onboard the Diamond Princess Cruise Ship. In the background is the International Cruise Terminal and port city of Vladivostok, Russia.

Some notes my friend sent me about Vlad:

Vlad is at the Pacific end of the 5778 mile long Trans-Siberian Railway
Built between 1880 and 1900, the “Great Siberian” is the longest continuous railway track in the world
In its early years it was a vital link for many Western travellers, especially diplomats, who used it to reach the capitals of China and Japan.
Vlad’s Railway Square is the final Eastern destination of the Railway.

Some of the buildings in the background are examples of the early 20th century architecture found in the city.

First cake with a view from Russia! I’m terribly excited. It is worth noting that despite being away for 35 days, constantly tempted with cakes like the one in these photos, my friend managed to gain only four pounds while away. Impressive and deserving of a special sticker of its own!

If you could look out at any port city in the world while enjoying a three-layer sponge cake, where would it be?