What inspires you?
That’s an interesting question, isn’t it?
Often, when I meet others for the first or second time, I like to ask that questions, along with posing it to long-time friends.
Not only does this spark conversation, but I truly believe that it is fluid, malleable, and changes over time.
This question leads to information regarding one’s personality in the answer, but also their place in life – their status, their symbol, their hopes and dreams.
I am often inspired by others –
I am inspired by flavors, aromas, and scents.
I am inspired by love, kindness, and generosity.
I am inspired by change and curiosity.
What inspires you?
Gingerbread Cardamom Rose Layer Cake
Gingerbread Cardamom Rose Cake:
1 cup white sugar
1 cup butter
2 large eggs
1 1/2 cup molasses
5 cups all purpose flour
1 Tbs. baking soda
2 tsp. ground cinnamon
2 tsp. ground ginger
1 tsp. ground cloves
1 tsp. sea salt
1 1/2 cups milk
2 tsp. ground cardamom
6 drops Absolute Rose essential oil
Rose Frosting:
2 sticks salted butter
3 cups powdered sugar
1/4 tsp. vanilla extract
6 drops Absolute Rose essential oil
1-2 drops pink or red food coloring
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease and flour three 4″ cake pans (or one 9,” but it won’t be as pretty).
In a large bowl, cream together the sugar and butter. Beat in the egg, and mix in the molasses.
In another bowl, sift together the flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, ginger, and cloves. Blend into the creamed mixture. Stir in the milk, cardamom and Rose essential oil. Pour into the prepared pans, lined with parchment.
Bake for about 30 minutes in the preheated oven, until a knife inserted in the center comes out clean. Allow to cool in pan before inverting.
Transfer each cake tier to plastic wrap. Wrap tightly and freeze overnight, or up to 2 weeks.
Remove from freezer just before frosting.
When ready to frost, whip together the butter, powdered sugar, Absolute Rose, and food coloring until soft and creamy.
Slather the frosting over each layer, stacking, until the cake becomes a beautiful, finished product. You know the drill.
