Behold the Prinsesstarta (Princess Cake)!

Having watched people try to create this cake during the “Continental Cakes” episode of the Great British Bake-Off (2014, episode 6), I gasped with delight when I spotted one in the pastry case at a local bakery that specializes in Swedish treats that are both vegan (me) and gluten free (my wife)! I asked the person working the counter if these were regularly available because I wanted one for my birthday. They confirmed it was a new addition to their special order cakes and remarked that it was expensive!

The cost wasn’t a surprise, having watched people trying to make one! A Prinsesstarta has layers of mild, vanilla cake with a layer of raspberry jam, a layer of vanilla custard, a layer of whipped cream over everything and mounded to make a gentle dome. Then a thin, perfectly even layer of marzipan that’s been dyed a spring green is gently shaped over everything and a decoration put on top! It is a lot of finicky labor and this bakery has made it gluten free and vegan on top of all the effort!

Most of the sweetness comes from the marzipan and the fresh jam. The cake, custard, and cream are lighter flavors so the marzipan and raspberry stand out. If you’re not a fan of marzipan this is not the dessert for you. I love marzipan, have since I was a child, and all the other flavors in the cake. It’s a perfect special occasion treat!

#PDX Metro area friends, check out Carina’s Bakery at 1st and Lombard in Beaverton. All vegan, most things (all cakes) gluten free. Plus you get to support a small business that is making a difference for people with impaired vision! From their website, “It’s estimated that only 37% of blind or visually impaired adults have full time employment. Carina’s Bakery is proud to play a part in changing that reality by hiring many visually impaired employees and by setting an example for other businesses in the community.” https://www.carinasbakery.com

#Prinsesstarta #PrincessCake #GBBO

@PDXyogini Happy birthday! 🎉

I am regularly delighted by these silly babies snuggling and grooming each other.

@PDXyogini Happy birthday, Sherri!! <3 It's been lovely to see the photos of y'all at xoxo, I'm so glad it was a good time.

Things delighting me lately: cooler weather coming in, our family's improved health of late, and recently getting way too into professional sumo wrestling.