Having recently read The Girls From Ames, I have been thinking about women and their friendships, and how important those relationships are. My mother had a habit of sitting at the windowsill looking down over the Concourse, where there were always women strolling arm in arm. Sitting with her, I would imagine myself as an adult, walking with a friend, our arms intertwined. Unfortunately it is no longer in fashion for women to lock arms as they stroll, and the art of strolling has all but disappeared. What has not changed is the importance of female companionship.
This weekend my daughter came to visit us from NYC. It just so happened that several of her oldest friends were also in town and were able to join us for various meals. In different configurations, they came for dinner, lunch, and afternoon tea. They laughed, talked, rolled their eyes (mostly at their mothers), shared confidences, and exchanged glances that clearly only they understood. All very accomplished young women, each one passionate and full of life, I loved sitting back and watching them. We have known two of the girls since birth and one since she was six. Three now live in NYC and one in Los Angeles but the distances don’t seem to matter, or the time apart. Having my daughter come home is always special, but knowing that this particular group of friends would be in Los Angeles at the same time, and that we would get to see them, turned the weekend into a celebration. So, I baked the girls a cake, in the shape of a rose.
I found this recipe on one of my favorite food blogs, The Kosher Scene. Norm said it tasted like a glazed buttermilk doughnut. Moist and delicious.
Olive Oil Cake
1 1/2 cups extra virgin olive oil
1 1/2 cups orange juice
5 eggs
3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
1 1/2 tsp kosher salt
3 c. granulated sugar
zest of 3 oranges
Glaze
1 cup confectioners sugar
Approximately 4 tsp of orange juice (Mix juice with sugar until you have the consistency of a loose glaze, slowly, add more juice if needed)
Mix eggs in a large bowl. Slowly add sugar, beating till egg mixture is light in color. Add orange juice and stir till fluffy. In a separate bowl, sift flour, baking powder and salt. Alternating, slowly add olive oil, and then flour, to egg mixture, and beat until batter is smooth. Mix in orange zest.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease and flour a Bundt pan. Add batter and bake for about 1 hour or until an inserted toothpick comes out clean. Cool on rack for about 20 minutes and remove cake from pan. Combine ingredients for glaze and drizzle over cake.
Enjoy,
Irene
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April 21, 2011 at 5:48 PM
I know it’s still pesach, but I’m already planning my chametz fest and this cake will probably steal the show. Chag sameach!
April 21, 2011 at 7:10 PM
Hi Zahava,
I am sure you will love it!!! Chag Sameach and thanks for e-mailing me.
Irene
March 10, 2011 at 11:52 AM
Irene,
We are honored you found a recipe on our blog worthy of putting up here. Your cake looks a lot more beautiful and inviting than the one I made, I’m impressed. Bravo!
March 10, 2011 at 12:11 PM
The cake was a huge success!!! Thank you for sharing it.
Sincerely,
Irene
February 28, 2011 at 11:42 AM
Having been at the dinner and having also savored the moments of observing our daughters interact as they have over the years, it is comforting to know that their friendship is a permanent staple that only becomes more precious with the passage of time. Irene the food was amazing as always especially the rose shaped buttermilk doughnut….i mean the Olive oil cake!
February 28, 2011 at 12:14 PM
Thank you Susan.
February 28, 2011 at 9:26 AM
Hi Irene, i loved you r post! So nice for Shira to have lifelong friends! It is an art you have taught her! The cake looks yummy! xo, barbie
February 28, 2011 at 12:14 PM
Thanks Barbie!!! So nice.
February 28, 2011 at 8:54 AM
I have a rose bundt pan – I’m going to try this recipe – will let you know how it comes out
February 28, 2011 at 12:15 PM
Hi Mollie,
I hope you like it! Nice to hear from you, as always.
irene
February 27, 2011 at 9:56 PM
This sounds like a wonderful cake. I plan to make it when my Israeli family comes to visit! Thank you so much!
And, as always, love your stories…..dorothye
February 28, 2011 at 7:39 AM
Thank you Dorothy!!!! The cake stayed moist for days, a real plus.
Enjoy!
Irene
February 27, 2011 at 1:54 PM
What a great weekend-daughters, friendship and sweets.
February 27, 2011 at 2:13 PM
Yes, we have to treasure those moments. Enjoy Michal!!
Irene
February 27, 2011 at 12:04 PM
First of all, glad you liked the book. And I’ll stroll arm in arm with you anytime!
I think this is the same recipe Rachel uses. How did you make it look that way?
February 27, 2011 at 12:34 PM
Hi,
I think Rachel’s has dairy in it as well, but not sure. You can buy a rose bundt form at Williams-Sonoma Are you going to make it?
I love that you always comment!!! Thank you!
Irene