January 28, 2010

Pink Checkers.

I have previously disclosed that I receive weekly surface mail from Ireland, containing small presents and sweets.

This week the package contained the most appealing cakes I have ever seen. Unknown to me until very recently, when I stumbled upon pictures of the cake online, while talking to my Irishman. It is called Battenberg Cake and is basically a sponge cake covered in marzipan, which when cut in cross section, displays a distinctive two-by-two check pattern alternately coloured pink and yellow.

As it states on the beautifully coloured box my five small cakes came in:
"Chequered sponge sandwiched together with an apricot filling, wrapped in almond flavour paste."

It is the single most visually appealing and delicious cake I have ever tasted, believe me. Although I am a great fan of white chocolate, I think I might have found my very new favorite sweet addiction.

30 comments:

J Cosmo Newbery said...

Are they supposed to glow in the dark?

Elizabeth said...

You are one lucky girl!!!! Each week a little something special.

Enjoy your present.

Brian Miller said...

intriguing. put enough together and you can play a game before your snack. smiles.

Gal Friday said...

Exceedingly good...ha..ha!
That cake has all the kinds of tastes I love--marzipan and apricot...and sweet sugar(shhhh...can't eat sugar for a few more days as I am on my no-sugar challenge still) and it's enchanting to look at.

You are a lucky woman to have received such a delicacy in your mailbox.

Sumandebray said...

It looks very interesting and would definitely love to try this one day! Never spotted such a thing in the supermarket shelf but not I will be vigilant... lol
Good to know about this

Betsy Brock said...

Pretty! I make a cake very similar to that! Your Irishman certainly spoils you...weekly packages...that is so sweet!

Margie said...

Lucky girl you are to get those weekly packages from your Irishmam!
That is so lovely!

Those cakes look sooooo very appealing and sound so yummy and I'm getting hungry!
I'm hungry as it's breakfast time here.

Have a wonderful day, my friend!
I always so enjoy my visits here!
Thank you for adding joy to my day with your great posts!

Margie:)
xo

Kath said...

This is a great favourite in our house, but then we are all addicted to marzipan! Kath x

Reading Tea Leaves said...

Oh how lucky you are to get weekly presents from your Irishman!

We used to have battenberg cake for tea on a Sundy afternoon when I was a child. A lovely touch of nostalgia for me - thank you.

Jeanne x

S. Susan Deborah said...

Dear Zuzana:

I will be in Ireland this summer. Shall sure try out the cakes you have so delightfully described.

Joy and passion,
Susan

Claus said...

apricot, marzipan, almond cover...man! that sounds delicious!! and not too sweet. When it's too sweet, one's addiction - no matter how delicious - tend to fade away.
Lucky you!
have a great day!
*hugs*

Reasons said...

Gosh these are a blast from the past for me, it used to be a sunday treat (though not for me as I can't eat flour - but always loved the look of them!)

Hilary said...

The sweet part of this is that these weekly gifts mean that you are always on his mind. And I think he's going to have to include this treat in those packages more often.

Sandy said...

These look delicious! And so pretty at the same time.

Teacup Lane (Sandy)

Keera Ann Fox said...

"Almond flavour paste"? Do they not have marzipan in Ireland? ;-)

Anonymous said...

YUMMY... they look delicious. I wonder if they are sold in the USA.
Lucky you! :) I'm coming over now and have some little cakes and tea!
The Bach

Mark said...

This is truly a wonderful treat both for the eye and the pallet.

Shelly's Style Shop said...

Your lucky to be receiving sweet in the mail. The cake looks delicious. =) I am a sucker for sweets....I just can't say no! ha!

Hope your having a good week.

xoxo, Shelly

sprinkles said...

Those little cakes are so pretty! I haven't seen anything like them before. They're almost too pretty to eat! Almost! LOL

The Irishman is a keeper!

Donna said...

They sound delicious, and oh so pretty!

Hugs,
Donna

Donna said...

They sound delicious, and oh so pretty!

Hugs,
Donna

GYPSYWOMAN said...

oh, saints preserve us! an irishman who sends sweets to his sweet weekly! be still my heart - and does he have a single brother, may i ask?

did i mention, i'm an irish lass, as well, hailing from county antrim...just fyi ;)

Absolutely Ladylike said...

OMG this is just something I have to try one day...what a pretty cake...and I also LOVE white chocolate! Your Irishman is so sweet to sending you lovely presents like this...what a beautiful tradition!

Hope you have a lovely week dearest Zuzana, cheers: Evi

Jill from Killeny Glen said...

OH what fun! I would eagerly watch for the packages in the post!! A darling gift!

I noticed Betsy noted she made something like this...I have had one of her cakes like this...it was chocolate and white checkered and VERY tasty! She is a talented cook and baker!

Laura said...

YUM, I love marzipan...and they are so pretty too!

Julie Hibbard said...

Love love love love your new blog look!! You are so creative and clever! And those cakes look fabulous!!!

My Farmhouse Kitchen said...

Battenburg Cake...these are darling.... wish we had these here..

and YES ! your irishman is a keeper

more later,
fondly,
kary
xxx

Anonymous said...

These little cakes look so yummy and are so pretty. Enjoy!

Zuzana said...

Cosmo, Elizabeth, Brian, Tina, Sumandebray, Betsy, Margie, Kath, Jeanne, Susan, Claudia, Joanne, Hilary, Sandy, Keera, The Bach, Mark, Shelly, sprinkles, Donna, Gypsywoman, Evi, Jill, Laura, Julie, Kary and LadyCat – I am so glad that you all think the Battenburgs look delicious. They indeed were as I have to confess to have consumed the all by now. I am very spoiled, I admit, but nevertheless relish in the attention of the handsome man..;)

Thank you all for your wonderful words and comments, they all always brighten my day.;)

Xoxo
Zuzana

G said...

How wonderful! I can just imagine how meltingly soft they are. You're lucky to get all these little surprises, but we all know he's lucky too. :) xoxo