Saffron Cakes With Lemon Fig Compote Recipes

LEMON-FIG CAKE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Brush a 9-inch tart pan with a removable bottom (or a cake pan lined with parchment paper) with oil; set aside.
• In a medium bowl or liquid measuring cup, whisk together oil, milk, and egg; set aside. In a large bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt; add milk mixture, and stir with a rubber spatula just until smooth (do not overmix). Gently fold in figs and lemon zest.
• Spread batter in prepared pan; set pan on a rimmed baking sheet. Bake until golden and a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean, 35 to 40 minutes.
• Cool in pan 15 minutes before unmolding cake onto a wire rack to cool completely. To serve, cut into wedges.

FIGUEROA CUPCAKES: CHUNKY LEMON FIG CAKE, SALTED HONEY FIG COMPOTE, CREAM CHEESE FROSTING

Steps:

• For the cupcakes: Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F. Line muffin pans with 24 muffin liners. In a medium bowl, whisk the flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt until well combined. In the bowl of an electric mixer with the paddle attachment, cream the butter, oil and brown sugar. Add the eggs, one at a time, scraping the bowl as needed. Add the figs and lemon zest and mix for about a minute until well combined. With the mixer on low, gradually add the flour mixture just until combined. Then remove from the mixer and scrape by hand. Fill the prepared muffin pans three-quarters full with batter and bake until a toothpick inserted comes out clean, about 24 minutes.
• For the fig compote: In a medium saucepan over medium heat, combine the figs, granulated sugar, 1/4 cup water and the honey. Bring to a boil and stir until the water has evaporated and the figs are soft. Add the sea salt and refrigerate until cool.
• For the frosting: Whip the cream cheese and butter in an electric mixer with the paddle attachment until fully incorporated. With the mixer on low, gradually add the powdered sugar until combined. Add the vanilla and mix until fully incorporated.
• To assemble: Use a knife to make a hole in the center of the cupcakes. Fill with salted honey fig compote, and then frost with cream cheese frosting.

SAFFRON CAKES WITH LEMON-FIG COMPOTE

Steps:

• Coat ten 6-ounce ramekins with margarine or butter; dust with granulated sugar. Chill in freezer 10 minutes.
• Finely grind walnuts with 1/4 cup sugar in a food processor; set aside. Stir wine, saffron, and vanilla in a bowl; set aside.
• Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Put margarine or butter and 1 cup sugar into the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. Mix on medium-high speed until pale and fluffy. Mix in yolks and 1/4 teaspoon salt. Fold in walnut mixture, then saffron mixture. Stir in lemon zest.
• Put egg whites, cream of tartar, and remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt into the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the whisk attachment. Beat on medium speed until foamy. Gradually add remaining 1/4 cup sugar; beat until stiff peaks form.
• Using a large rubber spatula, fold one-third of the egg white mixture into the walnut mixture. Fold in remaining egg white mixture. Spoon into ramekins.
• Bake until tops are deep golden brown, 30 to 35 minutes. Let cool slightly on wire racks. Run a knife around edges of cakes to loosen; unmold onto racks, and let cool completely. Dust with confectioners' sugar, and serve with compote.

LEMON-FIG COMPOTE

Steps:

• Place chopped lemon segments in a bowl; squeeze juice from membranes into bowl. Set aside. Put lemon peel into a small saucepan; cover with water. Bring to a boil, then drain and repeat.
• Bring sugar, spices, honey, lemon segments and juice, lemon peel, and 1 cup water to a simmer in a small saucepan, stirring until sugar has dissolved. Reduce heat to low; simmer 20 minutes.
• Add figs. Simmer 10 minutes. Stir in arrowroot; cook 2 minutes. Let cool. Remove cardamom and cinnamon.

FIG COMPOTE

Steps:

• In a medium pot, bring figs, sugar, orange zest and juice, cinnamon, and 1 1/2 cups water to a boil. Reduce to a rapid simmer and cook, partially covered, until figs are tender and liquid is reduced, 20 minutes. Uncover and cook until liquid is syrupy, 5 minutes. Stir in vinegar; season with salt and pepper. Serve warm or at room temperature.