Cookbook author Jason Schreiber made a Coconut Apricot Macaroon Cake and talked about why he is out to shatter the misconceptions about fruitcake. Fruit Cake: Recipes for the Curious Baker is available wherever you buy books.
COCONUT APRICOT MACAROON CAKE
Makes 8-10 servings
INGREDIENTS
For the Cake
Pan Goo for greasing the pan (recipe below)
dried apricots, cut into 1/4-inch pieces: 1 cup / 180 grams
apricot preserves: 1/4 cup / 80 grams
unsweetened shredded coconut: ½ cup / 50 grams
all-purpose flour: 1 cup / 142 grams
baking powder: 1 teaspoon / 3 grams
coarse salt: 1 teaspoon / 3 grams
coconut oil, melted: 6 tablespoons / 84 grams
granulated sugar: 1 cup / 212 grams
large eggs: 2 / 2
whole milk: 1/3 cup / 83 milliliters
pure vanilla extract: 1 teaspoon / 5 milliliters
For the Topping
large egg white: 1 / 1
granulated sugar: 2 tablespoons / 27 grams
coarse salt: 1 pinch / 1 pinch
unsweetened flaked coconut: 1 cup / 45 grams
sanding sugar, for sprinkling
DIRECTIONS
1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C) with a rack in the center position. Brush a 9 x 2-inch round cake pan with Pan Goo.
2. In a small saucepan, stir together the apricots, apricot preserves, and 1/4 cup (62 milliliters) water. Set over medium heat and cook, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon, until a syrup forms that is thick enough to hold a line, about 5 minutes. Remove from the heat and toss with the shredded coconut. Set aside to cool slightly.
3. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
4. In a large bowl, whisk the coconut oil, sugar, and eggs until smooth and creamy. Whisk in the milk and vanilla. Using a rubber spatula, stir the flour mixture into the wet ingredients. Gently fold the apricot situation into the batter, distributing it evenly throughout. Pour the batter into the prepared cake pan.
5. Make the topping: In a medium bowl, whisk the egg white, granulated sugar, and salt until just foamy, about 30 seconds. Stir in the coconut flakes and scatter on top of the cake batter. Sprinkle with sanding sugar.
6. Bake until the cake is firm to the touch and golden brown and a cake tester inserted into the center comes out with moist crumbs, about 1 hour.
7. Transfer the pan to a wire rack. Rest the cake in the pan for about 10 minutes, then unmold onto the rack to cool completely.
STORAGE
The cake will keep at room temperature, covered, for 3 or 4 days
PAN GOO RECIPE
Makes about 3/4 cup (375 milliliters)
Keep this mix on hand for a quick lube and easy slide.
INGREDIENTS:
· 1⁄4 cup (62 milliliters) neutral oil, such as safflower
· 1⁄3 cup (47 grams) all- purpose flour
DIRECTIONS:
In a small container with a lid, whisk the oil and flour together until combined. Brush onto baking pans in place of parchment paper or cooking spray.
STORAGE:
Keep it in the fridge for a couple of weeks. A month seems like maybe too long.
