Angels singing
This French Yogurt Cake, chosen by Liliana of My Cookbook Addiction (click for recipe), may have been one of the easiest recipes to throw together. In France, all of the ingredients are measured by using a single yogurt container. (I sometimes envy the French's ability to create the most beautiful and elegant things, and make it look so effortless).
Since I heard about all of the glorious wonders of the French Yogurt Cake, I wanted to make it as the recipe called for, but topped it with an orange glaze rather than lemon. And wow, did this live up to all of the praise. Light with a tender crumb. A hint of lemon. Moist. Scrum-diddly-umptious.
Then, I wanted to play around a bit. I made it again, but decided to make muffins filled with an orange mousse. I baked them for 14 minutes in standard muffin pans, and as they cooled, I searched far and wide for a good orange mousse recipe.
I'm still searching.
Why are there no orange mousse recipes online? Does this orange mousse not exist? I don't think I'm reinventing the wheel here. So I found a recipe for lemon mousse and used orange juice instead of lemon juice.
It turned out to be more of an orange whipped cream, rather than an orange mousse, but it went so well in the muffins. I hollowed out the top, piped in a bit of orange cream, replaced the top, and brushed it with the orange marmalade glaze.
I bit into the cake and was greeted by billowy, orange delight in a muffin. This muffin was skyrockets in flight. It was my baby and I was gonna hold it tight. Thinkin' of it was gonna work up my appetite.
Oh yes, my friends. This muffin was Afternoon Delight.
I brought these in to work, and my co-worker (who has an amazing way with words and is a fantastic writer) came over to my desk and said, "This is really lovely. It's like biting into springtime."
Hells yeah it is! Springtime Afternoon Delight!
Check out TWD for more of this amazing cake!
- 1 cup plus 1 tablespoon sugar
- 3/4 cup fresh orange
- 6 large egg yolks
- 2 large eggs
- 1 1/2 tablespoons grated orange peel
- 2 cups chilled whipping cream
- Combine 1 cup sugar, lemon juice, 6 egg yolks, 2 whole eggs and grated lemon peel in large metal bowl. Set bowl over saucepan of simmering water (do not allow bowl to touch water). Whisk until mixture thickens and thermometer inserted into mixture registers 160°F. Transfer lemon curd to another large bowl. Chill until cool, whisking occasionally.
- Using electric mixer, beat 11/2 cups cream in medium bowl until medium-firm peaks form. Fold 1/3 of whipped cream into lemon curd to lighten, then fold in remaining whipped cream.
The cake with the glaze looks gorgeous!!
Posted by: Steph | March 17, 2009 at 12:43 AM
What a great idea to add the mousse filling. Sign me up for that! Love your pooch, too!
Posted by: Judy (Judy's Gross Eats) | March 17, 2009 at 02:35 AM
What a fabulous idea to fill the cupcakes, yum!! I LOVED this cake, it smelled so good while cooking and tasted wonderful :) I paired it with simple lemon curd. YUM!
Posted by: Amanda | March 17, 2009 at 09:23 AM
Nice job this week. I love that you filled it with orange mousse! I bet that took it over the top. I also love the photo of your dog, too cute!
Posted by: Maria | March 17, 2009 at 09:49 AM
Wow...you outdid yourself this week and we are the beneficiaries! All these lovely new ideas to play with...orange mousse, who knew...I thought it only came in chocolate! Your photos are outstanding...congrats on such a great post. And, those French gods...I so love all of them! LOL! Too funny.
Posted by: Kayte | March 17, 2009 at 11:45 AM
First, I LOVE your dog. My Aussies would be very jealous if they thought yours got a taste of that cake!
Second, both of your versions look amazing. That orange cream takes this recipe over the top.
Third, thanks for getting that song stuck in my head. I hadn't thought of it in years. With any luck, once it gets unstuck, maybe it'll stay away for a few more years!!
Great job!
Nancy
Posted by: Nancy (n.o.e.) | March 17, 2009 at 11:52 AM
Ooh your orange mousse sounds deeeelish!!! Hmm, i wonder if i have enough eggs to make some :)
Good job!
Posted by: farah | March 17, 2009 at 11:58 AM
I like that description: biting into springtime. Yay for Spring. They look great and making muffins is brilliant!
Posted by: Shari | March 17, 2009 at 12:40 PM
Orange mouse sounds lovely. Wasn't this recipe awesome? There are so many fun ways to play around with it!
Posted by: Michelle from Baken | March 17, 2009 at 12:41 PM
Orange mousse dsounds amazing! Your Remy is adorable.
Posted by: Leanne | March 17, 2009 at 12:46 PM
Great job on this cake - it looks awesome!
Posted by: Natasha - 5 Star Foodie | March 17, 2009 at 12:59 PM
Oooh great idea with the orange mousse...I bet that was awesome! It all looks great!
Posted by: Amy (Sing for your supper) | March 17, 2009 at 01:10 PM
YUM! What a beautiful cake!
Posted by: Jennifer | March 17, 2009 at 01:19 PM
ooh i love the cupcakes!! the filling sounds delicious, even if it's not really "mousse", and i'm not actually sure of the difference ;)
Posted by: kim | March 17, 2009 at 01:27 PM
Yum and yum. The muffins look perfect.
Posted by: Sara | March 17, 2009 at 02:33 PM
The French Gods sung to me, too! What a coincidence!
I just shared my cake with the co workers (they are forced to contribute money, nothing is free anymore, esp. during the recession) and they immensely enjoyed it.
Hells to the Yeah it was good.
Yours look really tasty and orange you glad you made it!?
You know you love my cheesiness. Admit it! :)
Posted by: Sugar B | March 17, 2009 at 02:40 PM
Pretty pics, Teanna!! :) Love the filling!
Posted by: Hornedfroggy of My Baking Heart | March 17, 2009 at 03:06 PM
Ha, I was going to suggest using a lemon mousse...nevermind. :) Anyway...those cupcakes look SOOO SOO good. At first glance I thought you made them into a twinkie (you know b/c this is a pound cake). hmm..may have to try. Wonderful idea to change these up!!
Posted by: Courtney | March 17, 2009 at 03:11 PM
Both versions look gorgeous. I love the muffins with the orange mousse, er... cream. It sounds very delicious.
I think French gods would be holding a wine glass, smoking, and a whisk at the same time making it all look effortlessly.
Posted by: pinkstripes | March 17, 2009 at 03:18 PM
I love how you incorporated the orange with the lemon....citrus heaven :)
the dog picture says it all!
Posted by: Erin | March 17, 2009 at 03:21 PM