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Lemon Rose Pistachio Cakes + Grapefruit Glaze (gf)

September 16, 2017 by Salma 4 Comments

Lemon Rose Pistachio Cakes + Grapefruit Glaze | The Polka Dotter
These mini cakes are delightful with a classic pairing of lemon and pistachio, and a hint of rose to round out the flavour. The roasted pistachios and almond meal provide a lovely crumb, and make these cakes suitable for those with gluten intolerance. The grapefruit glaze is deliciously tangy with slightly bitter notes, but you can substitute the grapefruit juice for lemon juice if preferred.

Lemon Rose Pistachio Cakes + Grapefruit Glaze | The Polka DotterLemon Rose Pistachio Cakes + Grapefruit Glaze | The Polka DotterLemon Rose Pistachio Cakes + Grapefruit Glaze | The Polka DotterLemon Rose Pistachio Cakes + Grapefruit Glaze | The Polka Dotter Lemon Rose Pistachio Cakes + Grapefruit Glaze | The Polka Dotter
Baking Notes
(1) If you don’t have a heart-shaped pan, you can easily use a standard muffin pan instead, and serve them upside-down, glazing the flat base. If using a standard muffin pan, this amount of batter should produce approx. 10-12 cakes.
(2) If rosewater doesn’t take your fancy, it can be omitted and these little cakes will still taste divine.

Lemon Rose Pistachio Cakes + Grapefruit Glaze (gf)
Makes eight mini (6cm wide x 3cm deep) heart shaped cakes
Serves 8 people

Ingredients
Lemon Rose Pistachio Cakes
50g shelled, unsalted pistachios
100g almond meal
¾ tsp baking powder
100g unsalted butter, softened
100g caster sugar
Zest of 1 lemon
2 large eggs, at room temperature
1-2 tsp rosewater

Grapefruit Glaze
160g (1 cup) icing sugar mixture, sifted
2 tbsp (40ml) pink grapefruit juice (approx. juice of 1/2 grapefruit)

Decorations
Small handful slivered pistachios
Dried rose petals

Method
Lemon Rose Pistachio Cakes
(1) Preheat oven to 180°C (160°C fan-forced) and lightly grease an eight-hole mini heart-shaped pan with oil or melted butter.
(2) Place pistachios on a baking tray and roast for 3-5mins or until fragrant, taking care not to burn.
(3) Allow pistachios to cool, then process finely. Mix together with almond meal and baking powder and set aside.
(4) Beat butter, sugar and lemon zest in a free-standing mixer with paddle attachment until light and fluffy. Continue to beat while adding half the dry ingredients, then one egg, then the remainder of dry ingredients and second egg. Beat until well combined, then add rose water.
(5) Divide equally between pan holes, then bake for 18-20 minutes or until a skewer comes out with moist crumbs. Turn cakes out onto a wire rack then allow to cool completely before glazing.

Grapefruit Glaze
(1) Combine grapefruit juice and icing sugar, mixing until well combined and the glaze has a pouring consistency. It should be fluid but still quite thick. If glaze is too thin or thick, add a bit more icing sugar or grapefruit juice respectively.

To Serve
(1) Drizzle cakes with grapefruit glaze, then sprinkle with rose petals and pistachios.

Enjoy!

Lemon Rose Pistachio Cakes + Grapefruit Glaze | The Polka DotterLemon Rose Pistachio Cakes + Grapefruit Glaze | The Polka Dotter
Credits and Sources
Cake recipe adapted from Nigella Lawson’s Lemon Polenta Cake
Scalloped cake stand by Anna Wallace Ceramics
Ceramic mini pitcher by Grit Ceramics 

Ceramic nesting bowls by Antler and Moss
Table linens by Red House VT
Wooden cake server by Hope in the Woods

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Filed Under: Cupcakes, Mini Cakes & Brownies Tagged With: Gluten-free, Grapefruit, Lemon, Pistachio, Rosewater

Previous Post: « Meyer Lemon Curd + White Chocolate Cheesecake Tart (gf)
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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Margarita

    January 18, 2019 at 4:15 am

    Hello, this is such a beautiful bake! I was wondering if you leave the pistachio shells on?? And if you do isn’t it difficult to finely grind them in the processor?

    Reply
    • Salma

      February 4, 2019 at 7:24 pm

      Hi Margarita,
      Thanks for your query and delighted to hear you like this cake. The pistachios should be shelled and unsalted. I usually purchase them as raw, shelled unsalted pistachios then roast them for 3-5 minutes until fragrant, allow them to cool then finely process them to a texture similar to almond meal. Hope this helps and happy baking!
      Kind regards, Salma

      Reply
  2. Priya Gupta

    March 12, 2023 at 11:14 pm

    Such a lovely recipe! Can I substitute anything else for the eggs?

    Reply
    • Salma

      March 17, 2023 at 3:38 pm

      Hi Priya,
      Thanks so much for the query. Unfortunately, the eggs are vital in this particular recipe. They provide a leavening and binding capacity, especially as there is no flour in this gluten-free recipe. I also don’t have many other egg-free recipes to suggest for you I’m sorry!
      Kindest, Salma

      Reply

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Hi, I’m Salma, and I love creating beautiful images and sweet treats. If you’re looking for a little baking inspiration, you’ve come to the right place.

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Love this quiet scene at Pappa Sven. It was actually a test shot of the lighting, my first shot of the day. The lovely Libby had handed me a bud vase filled with a casual spray of flowers picked from one of Pappa Sven’s flower pots, and I had set out a few unfrosted coconut cupcakes on a her lovely cake stand, getting them ready to glam up with roasted strawberry icing.

I never usually care too much for my test shots, they are what they are, and I often prefer my last shots of a session, when the cakes are cut, the crumbs are scattered and the drizzles have dripped in their imperfectly perfect ways. And I’ve had a sneaky chance to indulge in whatever dessert I have prepared, all in the name of good photography and recipe testing.

But it’s true what they say, there’s a first time for everything, and this photo may actually be my favourite of the whole shoot, a genuine moment of calm in such a cosy space.

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Also I am absolutely elated and humbled that the tickets to this event are selling so quickly. Thank you to those of you who have already purchased a ticket, it truly means a lot to have you share this event with us 💕

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If a little sweet indulgence in a stylish Nordic setting is your idea of a good time, mark the afternoon of Saturday October 14th in your calendars, because you’ll be sharing it with us 😊 and best of all, you’ll be supporting a very worthy cause 💕

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If you’re looking for the perfect dessert to get If you’re looking for the perfect dessert to get you through this summer weekend weather (at the start of spring!) this divine layered ice cream of strawberry, macadamias and mango will do just the trick 💕

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Hey Newcastle! We have been planning a VERY special event for you 💕

If a little sweet indulgence in a stylish Nordic setting is your idea of a good time, mark the afternoon of Saturday October 14th in your calendars, because you’ll be sharing it with us 😊 and best of all, you’ll be supporting a very worthy cause 💕

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