Seasonal in Spring (10 Seasonal Fruits & Recipes)

Spring has officially shut down the chills of Winter. It was a steeping 80 degrees here on the East Coast today. It may be difficult for me to endure (winter baby), but I love watching the flowers and trees bloom and regain life. One of my favorite things about heading into Spring is the transition of foods. We let go of the hearty stews for a light spinach salad, yum.  This is the season for fresh fruit tarts, sponge cakes, and petit fours. It can be very hard keeping track of which fruits and vegetables are in season and what to do with them, seeing as how most fruits are now offered year-round. So here's a list of just that:

 10 Seasonal Spring Fruits

(for your cakes and bakes)

Grapefruit

Winter through Spring

Hollywood Brown Derby's Grapefruit Cake

As soon as I think Grapefruit, I think of the Hollywood Brown Derby's grapefruit cake. If you were lucky enough to try this cake in Disney, then you know why. I only had two bites, but those two bites took me into citrus heaven. This is a perfect layer cake. Dense but extremely moist cake layers, cream cheese frosting and a grapefruit filling. I dare you to try this recipe, it's not for the faint of heart. If you succeed, you deserve an applause. Recipe

Kiwis

Winter through Spring 

Ricotta Cheesecake with Ginger and Kiwi

Kiwis to me are beautiful little green gems that make a perfect breakfast or late night snack. They're definitely best in their peak season which is the Spring. These delicious beauties are best left fresh and cold. So here's a cheesecake that I'm sure will do it justice. It has a combination of beautiful flavors and is light enough for a relaxing Spring day. Recipe

Kumquats

Winter through Spring

Kumquat Flaugnarde

Here's a fruit that you may have heard of but never tried. If that's the case, then we're in the same boat. They're in the citrus family and actually look like mini oranges. So what to do with them you ask? Well, this is a fruit that is perfect for cooking and baking which brings out all of its sweet and tangy flavors. You can find them in many markets around the U.S., so head out to your local supermarket and give this recipe a try.Recipe

Lemons

Winter through Spring

Lemon Sponge Cake 

Ahhhh ... our friend the Lemon. This one will have you fooled because lemons are such a common fruit and offered year round, but they are in fact only 'in season' during the Winter and Spring. Regardless, I usually know what to do with this one, put the juice in a pitcher with sugar and water. But no, I'm going to share a recipe that I love. Something so simple, so traditional, and oh so Spring. Recipe

Oranges

Spring through Summer

Frosty Orange Cream Layered Dessert

One thing that I've always loved as a kid was an orange creamsicle. When I found this recipe I thought it was the perfect combination of elegance and fun. It's a quick and easy frozen dessert. Something rich and delicious to pop out of the freezer and slice up when your guests come over on a hot day. I wish I had this in my freezer two days ago... Recipe

Cherries 

Late Spring, Early Summer

Cherry Strudel

There's nothing like a handful of cold cherries. These refreshing 'stone fruit' are available late Spring through early Summer. They're usually not offered year round unless in the form of a maraschino cherry which is sweetened then jarred and can be used for multiple dishes. Want an amazing 'sweet and sour' sauce?Combine maraschino cherry and pineapple juice, then cook until thickened. If you'll be picking up some fresh cherries this season, try this simple Cherry Strudel served warm over vanilla bean ice cream. Mmmm..... :) Recipe

Apricots

Late Spring, Early Summer

Apricot Almond Upside Down Cake

Apricots are available in most markets come the Spring. You can find them at most markets and available at many orchards for picking. This is one versatile fruit that brightens up any dish. Add sliced apricots to cereal, diced apricots to sweetened hot tea, or roasted apricots for a sweet treat - you can't go wrong. This is why I chose this amazing upside down cake. Swap the pineapple for an apricot and give this recipe a try! Recipe

Beets

Year round

Beet Chocolate Brownies

Beets are available year round and can be found at most markets fresh or jarred. They may not have as large a fan base of some of the others but they definitely deserve their spot for all of their health benefits. In case you haven't tried cooking with beets yet, here's a sinful dessert that you won't want to pass up. Another thing about beets is that they're a great replacement for that red food dye in your velvet cakes and foods. Recipe

Rhubarb

Spring

Strawberry Rhubarb Crisp Bars

This is another one that gained popularity and interest in the past couple of decades, especially because of the famous rhubarb pie. Many aren't sure if rhubarb lands in the fruit or vegetable category. Rhubarb is a plant that is considered a vegetable but treated more like a fruit...make sense? Well this should top off your confusion: In 1947, a court of law decided that rhubarb would be considered what it is most commonly used as, a fruit. Either way, there's a great number of things both savory and sweet that you can do with rhubarb. These tempting dessert bars are filled with a strawberry rhubarb sauce and packed with fiber. Great for a breakfast on the go. Recipe

Strawberries

Spring, Summer

Fresh Strawberry Meringue Cake

Last but not least, the oh-so-popular Strawberry. Another one that is offered year round, but at its
best during the Spring and Summer seasons. My favorite strawberry desserts are ones with whole pieces of fresh strawberries and whipped cream or cream cheese for dipping...which leads me to choose a light Strawberry Meringue Cake. The meringue layers are quick and easy to create, which makes this dessert a great last minute go-to when you're in the mood for something light and sweet. Recipe


I hope this helps...
Happy baking!


*Couture in a Cupcake*

Read More

Faux Airbrushing

Happy Spring Cakenistas!

I have a wonderful technique that will save you a buck or three hundred. 

In the leopard print video, I needed a back splash of brown and orange hues for this cat friendly pattern. To create that realistic look, I used one thing that you probably all have in your kitchens....paper towel. 

At the time I didn't realize what I was doing , all I knew was that I didn't have an airbrush machine, but I wanted that look. Unfortunately, this technique will only work on fondant cakes. 

To get this look:

Simply dab your paper towel into the colors of your choice. Then lightly swipe in whatever direction the design of your cake calls for. You can even do a sponge effect with a small unused makeup sponge by dipping that into your food dye and tapping lightly onto your cake. 

There's so many ways to create texture and flare to your cakes, so get creative!

Leopard Print Cake

Couture in a Cupcake!

Read More