Parsnip Cake & A Cookbook Giveaway
November 19, 2012
In the 156 updates about the new house, here is the latest. A new dining room and chairs were delivered last Saturday turning the new pad into a real home. At least, that's how it feels to me. Seeing this new space where new and visiting friends would now gather and break bread with us truly made me feel peaceful.
Having been brought up among amazing cooks who took every opportunity to gather friends and feed and wine them, and where no Sunday was without a dozen people gathered at the dining room table, I knew the moment of feeling home would truly come when that corner of the house would no longer be empty.
Now, I am deep into looking at new recipes to cook and plan dinner menus for possible dinner parties. I am finally feeling a sense of being settled and started unraveling the cookbooks, the food stories, the imagery I had to set aside this whole summer and early Fall because of all the cacophony happening in my life.
It felt a bit strange to spend Sunday doing things just for me. Well, for the house really. I built some shelves, took care of the giant pile of leaves on the back deck, and did all the mundane things plenty of people do on a Sunday. Coffee and the newspaper in the morning. A walk in the park in the afternoon. Laundry, vacuum. Sundays were never completely mine as a freelancer. There was always a file to edit, a folder to send, a lot of backing up to do. And I admit, I am digging a good Sunday now...
Especially one that starts and ends with cake. A Parsnip cake to be exact. Think Carrot Cake but with parsnips instead. Not something this Frenchie would have ran to make had I not met the cookbook author behind the recipe, just very recently.
Meeting famed New Zealand cookbook author Julie Le Clerc was one of the highlights of the workshop I taught in Charleston last week where she was an attendee. Getting to know her personally, her food philosophy and realizing how much of a hard worker she is (writing, styling and shooting each of her books - all 14 of them), kind of made me fall even more with her recipes. Beside the fact that she is lovely, generous and humble in person...I did own a couple of her books prior to meeting her but had not spent enough time cooking from them.
After a great weekend of photo workshop alongside Julie and a dozen other talented women, I could not wait to get back home and take out her books from that big box staring at me since I had arrived in Birmingham. She definitely created a good cake when she included that recipe in her book, Julie's Favorite Cakes. The thing is, it does not taste "parsnip-ish" at all. Instead the mild flavor lets you enjoy the pineapple and frosting a lot more than if it had been carrot. I am definitely sold on the concept!
I realize that some of you may not know Julie and her recipes very well. To remedy that, I am giving away a copy of her latest book, Made By Hand. She brought a copy with her to the workshop and it is stunning. The design is lovely, the photography is superb and the recipes tempting. There are also icons with each one guiding you in your choice if you are vegetarian, celiac or grain free, without being necessarily geared toward one food choice over the other.
It makes cooking for friends that much easier...!
To enter the giveaway and throw your name in the hat to win a copy of Julie's book, just leave a comment at the bottom of this post between today, Monday November 19th and Friday November 23rd at midnight, central US time. One entry per person, no anonymous comment will be eligible. The lucky winner will be announced in a follow up post next week.
Parsnip Cake, very slightly adapted from Julie Le Clerc's recipe
I had enough batter to fill a 8-inch round and a 6-inch round baking dish.
Cake:
1 cup sugar
1 cup olive oil (original calls for 1 1/4 cups vegetable oil)
1 tsp vanilla
3 large eggs
1/2 cup crushed pineapple, drained
4 cups grated parsnip
1 1/3 cups flour (I use Jeanne's gluten free flour mix - it works with every recipe!)
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 cup dried cranberries (original calls for currants)
2 tablespoons ground cardamom (original calls for cinnamon)
Preheat oven to 350F. Grease a 10-inch baking pan.Whisk together sugar, oil and vanilla in a medium bowl. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in the pineapple.
Place grated parsnip, flour, salt, baking soda, cranberries and cardamom in a large bowl. Pour in the wet mixture, stir well to incorporate. Spoon cake mixture into prepared pan. Bake for 1 to 1 1/2 hours or until a knife inserted near the center comes out clean. Once cold, cover with lemon cream cheese frosting.
Lemon Cream Cheese Frosting:
1 cup cream cheese, softened
50 g unsalted butter, at room temperature
1/2 cup caster sugar
grated rind and juice of one lemon
Beat all ingredients together until creamy. Spread over cake.
266 comments:
«Oldest ‹Older 1 – 200 of 266 Newer› Newest»Lovely cake...sounds so delicious! :) And the cookbook sounds awesome! :)
Looks fabulous. One of my favourite cakes I've ever eaten was a parsnip cake with maple frosting. This sounds delicious, must try!
Ohhh what a delicious post in every sense! This cake looks sooo good and I'll have to check out Julie's site asap.
What a great post, great pictures!
Mmmm. I love parsnips and the cake looks/sounds scrumptious. And thank you for the link to Jeanne's flour mix! I'm going to whip up a big jar of it and give it to my recently GF friend.
Thanks for offering the chance to win the book. This gluten free cake looks delicious. I will be making this for our gluten free friend next week.
The recipe sounds very unusaual but interesting. I have never even thought of combining cake and parsnip in one sentence. :D Lovely photos and post. As always!
Julie's book looks so pretty! I could use a few more cake recipes!!
Jessica
Love your blog and your pictures! Helen, you're a real inspiration! Would love to take a closer look at the cookbook, best, Liz
Parsnip cake? Sounds quite interesting!
Bonjour Helene,
Je crois que c'est la première fois que j'ai l'honneur de pouvoir glisser un petit mot avant tout le monde, tant tes admirateurs sont nombreux.
Ca y est je me suis lancée, et j'espère rendre public mon blog d'ici la fin de l'année!!
C'est toujours un plaisir de visiter ton blog.
A bientôt,
Sandrine
Parsnip Cake? Sounds quite interesting!
Love your blog and the book sounds wonderful-would love to win! Best, Athena. athenastar@hotmail.com
Would love to win the cookbook. Interesting recipe. Love the photos, Helene!
I really love cakes that have vegetables hidden - it creates such an earthy texture and they're ALWAYS surprisingly moist! I've made a chocolate beet cake and a citrus-y squash cake!
I'd really love to win the book! :)
the photos of the post are gorgeous! made me want to drink some tea :)
I would love to win a copy of Julie's lovely book! Also, cannot WAIT to make this parsnip cake! Your beautiful posts are always such a treat!
Thanks!
Ellen
I would never have thought to make a cake with parsnip, but it's so sweet that I guess it makes sense! I'd love to check out the book, too.
love your blog
Yum! I can't wait until my copy of her book arrives from Amazon :) Glad you're settling in to your new home & are finally able to take some time for you--you deserve it! Miss you, dear friend.
I've never tried a parsnip cake, but it sounds so interesting. It's definitely going on my to do list!
I' d be glad to have one copy )) I'm Aleksandra (the name to be put into a hat)
The book looks beautiful!
Can't wait to try this cake. I'm always looking for new and interesting desserts. Thank you!
I'd love this cookbook. Fingers crossed.
And your photos are amazing as usual - it seems your lighting has changed slightly with the new home?
I think its time to pull some parsnips in my vegetatie garden and going to make this cake. Love Youre blog, i' m following it à few years now.
Danielle
Giulia: same light situation - just had to shoot late yesterday afternoon.
thanks for this giveaway!
gkuroda(at)gmail(d0t)com
Thank you for posting this one Helene! Parsnips are my fave veg so I am running out to make it NOW!
what a gorgeous cake!
Interesting recipe and lovely photos!!!
Sounds good! I stumbled for a second at "Preheat oven to 350F", as I always use C (usually 180C up to 210C for some dishes).
I would love to win a copy of Julie's book! And this parsnip cake looks beautiful and delicious. Can't wait to try it!
Stunning, I'm yet to try a sweet recipe with hidden "goodness", but this one sounds delicious. Thanks for the opportunity (yet again) to win a cookbook.
I'd love a copy. The photos are tantalizing.
I love parsnips!
I'm thrilled to see a New Zealand connection on your blog :-)If I were to win Julie's new book I would "re-gift" it to one of my US based foodie blogger friends.
Parsnip as opposed to carrot -- seems logical... why didn't I think of that?!
Awww I love your photos! :)
And I would love to have this book, too... Anyways, I'll try your recipe soon!
This sounds amazing, I've never had parsnips in a baked good. It sounds like a lovely recipe to try with a few days off over the thanksgiving break. Thanks!
This is fun, I'm almost in the same situation. I am moving on my own - just next door to my parents' house, I'm Italian after all - and I am trying to make the new house more mine.
The first thing I'm working on is the kitchen, obviously, since it's where I'll spend most of the time. But the second room I'm currently working in is the living /dining room. I have a huge table that belongs to my grandmother: it is a little bit old fashion, but it can comfortably sit 10 people.
Even though I'm moving on my own and I am a single lady, I have many gatherings with friends in my mind!
I cannot imagine a cake with parsnip, though it will be difficult to make because it is really difficult to be found here in Tuscany.
All the best with your projects!
Giulia x
I would love to start baking more with root vegetables and this book looks very good to start with.Lovely photos as usual.
I have to do this recipe!!
Thanks for the parsnip cake recipe...looks yummy! Looking forward to a bite. Cheers, Rose
I've never had a parnsip, and I don't usually eat carrot cake because I hate coconut. Since this is a coconut-free concoction, I just may give it a try. Especially because I LOVE pineapple!
Looks amazing!!!
great post. i want to win. :)
I love cakes! :)
Mmm cakes!
A cake made from parsnips?
I can't wait to see what else is in this book! It looks wonderful!
NICE!!! :)
Why make a banana or zucchini or carrot cake when you can create this conversation starter. I am rushing out to get some parsnips and cardamon at my local grocery store. SENSATIONAL recipe!
beautiful looking cake!
I have never eaten parsinips. The cake looks very nice! :)
parsnip cake--sounds intriguing!
Love the blog. Thanks for the giveaway!
I'm a new follower for your website and I am amazed at all the beautiful posts you have. The book looks amazing and I would love to try the recipes. Thank you for everything!
Ioana
Thanks for doing this fabulous giveaway!!
Hope Smith
I love Kule Le Clerc's recipes, she has just completed a very successful 2nd series of a TV programme called "Cafe Secrets" much loved.
Next year it is going to be screened on the Asian Food Channel including Hong Kong, Singapore, China, Vietnam...maybe the US next!!
The cake looks divine! I love Julie's work - being a kiwi, I've been following her for quite some time now - she always has the best recipes, advice on baking/cooking, and tips about where to go in NZ for a good bite or to get the best ingredients :-) actually, I think it was through Julie's blog that I found wee gem of a foodie blog.... :-)
Looks delicious! Thanks for the giveaway!
i love parsnips! I just made a parsnip apple potato soup this weekend. To die for with smoked gouda!
Julie's book sounds lovely, thanks for sharing!
Looks lovely, would love to have a copy of her latest book!
NEVER would have thought a parsnip pie would sound scrumptious😉
Thanks for the chance!! :) (susyszoo@hotmail.com)
Love the new post on Parsnip Cake. What a lovely idea, I'd love to try it. Thanks for the chance to win!!!
Jenifer chefatschool06@yahoo.com
I must try this intriguing cake! Great post and giveaway!
sarah.hawkins.pinchers@gmail.com
OOO!! I WANT!!!
Hello!
Excellent post and photos, as always! Parsnips make total sense, but I never would have thought to try it out.
Crossing my fingers :)
-Pia
This looks yummy!
What an intriguing sounding cake. It certainly looks delicious! I would love to learn more creative recipes from Julie's book :)
Beautiful cake, parsnips...who knew! I have a colander just like that filled with the same colored eggs, how weird is that? Anyway, thank you so much for the opportunity to enter my name.
Cake made from parsnips has never occurred to me. I've made cake from other roots: beets, potatoes, yams. But never parsnips. I love cake and I love parsnips, so I will make this cake. Thanks for the lovely post!
Sounds like a very interesting cookbook. What fun!
I love the idea of the icons. I'm a vegetarian, so it'd be nice to be able to pick those recipes out in a hurry!
I've never had a parsnip and now I'm feeling like I should really try one... in cake.
My principal loves carrot cake, I will have to make this for him.
i love carrot cake so i might have to try this recipe soon!
this sounds amazing! I would love to try it and have a look at the other cakes. I'm a bit cake cook, and always looking for new ones.
Thanks for your blog by the way, always a pleasure to read.
Thanks for offering the chance to win the book :-))! Never tried a cake like this....maybe now is a right time! Regards from Portugal
Parsnips... genius.
Home is definitely very much where your hearth is Helene! Now with your cooking paraphernalia unpacked and to hand, you sound definitely settled.
I was just about to put some veg in a cake, other than regular carrot, so the success of this recipe of Julie's has given me confidence to try! Hope it turns out as yummy as your parsnip one!
I've seen the book on amazon and have always been tempted to Add to Cart!
And parsnips gone sweet rather than savory - fun twist!
Very nice photos and cake! Thanks
Just love all cakes with cheese, would love the cook book.
great presentation. It's perfect for me!
It's a little embarrassing but I've never had parsnips. When I first saw the heading I thought I wouldn't ever try it but after reading the description of what this tastes like I might be making parsnip cake
I need to try this out
Helene, you are my endless inspiration! Thank you for what you're doing!
Parsnip Cake! What a great idea! The cookbook looks very interesting!
I never thought anyone could make parsnip appealing, but hey, what do you know? It looks delicious in cake-form!
:D Happy Thanksgiving!
Delicious post, as always!
Fotini
Cake with parsnips, please
The cake looks wonderful.. Parsnip is an interesting choice =)
mmmmm...sounds delicious...thank you for the chance to win the cookbook...
mmcmm 563 at comcast dot net
The parsnips are an interesting variation from the carrot concept. Looks good.
Wow, I had to go Wikipedia to translate parsnip and look for the italian translation. it's what we call "white carrot" or pastinaccia which is not very common in Italy.. Can I substitute with something else? I guess with carrot (orange one) wont taste the same, right? Thank you for this recipe and the giveaway too! Good luck everyone ;)
Quel délicieux gâteau ❤
J'adorerais gagner ce livre de Julie !
Bonne chance à toutes :)
Merci pour le concours, xX
I would love to be able to get this book. I am big fan of your (and her) work. I actually just ordered your book "Plate to Pixel". Keep up the good work!
Thanks. I love your blog.
Would love to add this to my library
Interesting
Gosh, parsnip cake sounds interest! I love me some carrot cake so i will definitely have to try this cake then! Thanks so much
robyn.jenns@hotmail.com
Great post - I would love to win the cookbook!
If the kids only knew what they were eating!!!
The cake looks delicious. Congrats on settling in to your new home.
This recipe sounds perfect for the SO that won't eat certain veggies. I've been sneaking stuff in for awhile and this will be added to the list! And he loves pineapple :)
This is really an interesting way to use parsnips! I love the photography on this post!! Thank you...
cjpike at indiana dot edu
Thank you for providing a chance to win a cookbook! It sounds quite intriguing. I would not have thought about using parsnips in a cake. That sounds like a recipe I would enjoy trying to make.
I would love to win the book, and I loved these gorgeous photos too :)
can i have this like..right away? darn, i have to stop foodporn during work. well..fingers crossed!;D
Oh Parsnip Cake sounds amazing. I love carrot cake so this is something I will have to try!
I love using unusual ingredients when baking. This recipe I will definitely try! Thank you for sharing!!
I would love to add this to my collection of cookbooks...and I sure could use a new cake book!
ceci est mon blog préféré dans le monde! grazie helene!
Yummy!! That cake looks good! I am a cookbook junky!!
Parsnip cake, sounds good to me-))
Wow, I'd never have thought of parsnips in a cake but am intrigued enough to try it. Thanks! BTW, the color palette of the egg photo is exquisite. I could—and just might—decorate a house in those colors!
Oh, I just planted a whole bed of parsnips. How exciting to have this recipe to look forward to!
The cook looks delicious. And thanks for the chance to win the cookbook.
beautiful photos... and never heard of parsnip cake, but sounds delicious!
Helene, I love your pictures, recipes,stories... Thank You for this lovely blog. Regards from Italy ,Candela .
Would love to win the cookbook.
always good to have cake with some vegetable in it... you feel less guilty enjoying "another little piece"... Martina
I have never cooked with parsnips; in fact I just had to look for its translation in Spanish (chirivia). I will definitively love that cake to be the first recipe that I do with parsnips!!
I love carrot cake, and I have a feeling I will love parsnip cake just as much, if not more!
The recipe spunds and looks delicious! Would love to win the book.
Annetje
This cake looks awesome! This is a save and must try for sure!
I will make this cake very soon. Maybe without the frosting for breakfast.
I was lucky enough to have Julie as my roommate last weekend and she is as wonderful as Helene describes. I would love to own a copy of her cookbook but if I don't win, it is also on my Christmas list! Thanks Helene!
I would love this cookbook-thanks for the giveaway!
I've never had parsnip cake, it looks delicious! Can't wait to bake one myself!
The book looks beautiful and the fact that there are gluten free recipes amazing. Would love a new cook book.. please add my name to the list. Fingers crossed. And Happy Holidays :-)
The pictures make me want to just grap a piece of the cake and endulge. Such an interesting idea for a cake. My kids love sweets and cakes but don't care much for vegies. So this is a great way of making them try parsnips. I will give this cake a try. Would be happy to get a copy of her latest books and try new and different recipes.
wow parsnip cake, interesting! Will have to try
What a brilliant idea and perfect for this time of year. I can't wait to give it a try, especially with the family all getting together for the holidays. :-)
I would just love this cookbook!! RachelNob at gmail dot com
I can't wait to make this as it looks so delicious!
What a surprise! Parsnips are wonderful and delicious in the traditional recipes. The parsnip cake sounds delightful. Would love to win this cookbook.
I had an idea for making parsnip cupcakes, but I love them so much roasted none ever made their way into cake! But this does sound lovely!
Cake looks great. I love a taste of lemon. I am going to try that recipe. Thanks for sharing.
I've never heard of parsnip cake, but it looks delicious! Thanks for the recipe!
There's an amazing book by Harry Eastwood which is full of slightly quirky vegetable-based cake recipes like this that I love - parsnips feature, as do almost any other vegetable you can think of! It's called 'Red Velvet and Chocolate Heartache' and this recipe would fit right in!
Parsnip cake = fabulous idea! I want to keep closer tabs here (new follower) of classes you teach on the west coast. Be nice to get up close and personal coaching and tips on food photography, and then some.
Yum, what a nice diversion from the typical carrot cake or zucchini loaf. Can't wait to try!
I can hardly wait to try the cake recipea and I would love to win the cookbook!
I would love to win this cake book! I'm always in search of great cake recipes, and ones that use different types of ingredients, such as the parsnip cake, are right up my ally!
great giveaway !! thanks...Andrea andreacardoso_27@yahoo.com.ar
this looks so unique, cant wait to try it!
Helene,
Your work is always such an inspiration! Parsnip cake? Who would have thunk it? Looks and sounds delicious.
And I would l-o-v-e love to win the cookbook! Fingers and toes crossed!
Thanks so much for sharing and Happy Thanksgiving to you!
I can't wait to try this cake recipe! Yum! xo
I have never had parsnips, seems like the perfect time to try them!
The cake sounds lovely. Your pictures are gorgeous!
I think a parsnip cake sounds delicious and would be a unique addition to a special dinner. My family loves carrot cake and zucchini bread so I think this would be a hit.
The cake looks divine! Thanks for the chance to win! -Sam (samantharsolis@gmail.com)
I actually have that book on my wishlist, to win it would be awesome!
Oh, this looks yummy. And parsnips are in season so I can feel virtuous at the same time.
Oh, dear.. scrolling down, it seems my chances of winning are slim.. but I'd still like to comment:D Looks like a wonderful cake and I'm off to check out that cookbook! It might be on my Xmas wish list now!
perfect timing with the holidays around the corner...
This looks great.
I wouldn't have thought to make a parsnip cake, but now that the thought is there, it makes so much sense!
Wow! That looks absolutely fantastic! I love incorporating vegetables into my baking.... Her book sounds lovely, thank you for sharing!
Congrats Julie!
this sounds so great! thanks for the giveaway
Lovely photography!! And the cake looks amazing!
Happy THanksgiving.
Daisy
Thank you for offering this book! Your appreciation for the author's commitment to her books and the comment "It makes cooking for friends that much easier" surely sums it up!
I would love to win! Thank you
frugalohio at gmail dot com
Lucky me! I happen to have extra parsnips in the fridge, so I can try this recipe soon. The book looks wonderful - would love to win it!!
I'm not sure if my comment went through. So I'm back again.
thanks....
dbilyeu@q.com
This cake sounds like a must try for the fall! The boyfriend loves pineapple and carrot cake is his favourite so hopefully this hits the spot :)
Lovely photography and recipes.
this looks like a great book, thanks for the chance to enter!
jessicarwarfield at gmail dot com
Love this blog and this cake perfect and so much Nz Kiwi style
Ooh! Can't wait to try this!
That cakes looks wonderful, I love pineapple in cake. Would love the cookbook too.
I love the photography and the cake looks delicious--maybe for Thanksgiving?
The cook book looks great. Thanks for the give away!
Sounds interesting. Thanks for the giveaway.
Always beautiful photos. Root vegetable huh.....well that is really interesting!!!
Off to visit Julie's site. The cake looks intruguing. I'd love to win the cookbook.
Who'd have thought parsnip was so versatile!
Interesting and original cake, easy to make. I will definetely try this recipe.
You had me at lemon cream cheese frosting...
This recipe sounds very interesting, and would be a good way to try parsnips for the first time. Desserts are the best anyway!
kaysuet@hotmail.com
I put carrot into cakes and muffins all the time. Why not parsnips too? Great idea!!
Your photo of the frosting ingredients makes frosting seem so easy! Your photo book is my holiday treat for me. I came across it at B&N and spent three hours reading from it there. Am buying it later this week!
The cookbook sounds amazing!
Nice recipe!
That cake looks so good...I love to bake this time of the year. Thanks for sharing.
Loved the recipe and your pictures. fingers & toes crossed for the cookbook:))
Love the idea. It's nice to see fresh takes on baking like this, not to mention how lovely that book looks!
Parsnips! Nice variation to carrots. Love the flavor.
This sounds heavenly! Parsnip cake... interesting.
Thanks for offering the cookbook. I enjoy your beautiful photograph.
Happy Thanksgiving in your new dining room!
The pictures, the cake and the book look good!
My gramma used to make parsnip cake all the time, when we were small. I now use her recipe and bake parsnip cake often for my café.
Everytime I wash and peel and grate the parsnips I feel her standing behind me, a helping hand on my shoulder.
Oo hailing all the way from Malaysia, I'd love to win Julie's book.
Dear Helene,
You are a joy to follow and your site is pure eye candy and delight, not to mention the lovely meals you create. I always browse your posts for relaxation and inspiration and they always remind me subtly of vacation time, especially in France. Wish you lots of luck with your new establishment and a full range of challenging projects
Lovely pictures as usual! Can't wait to try the cake!
This cake looks divine! I can't wait to try it. And as always your photography is superb. Thanks for the opportunity to win the cookbook.
I blush to admit it but...I've never tried a parsnip! Here in Tuscany it seems to be a quite-lost root.
Therefore, that's what I've to plant in my garden this winter!! ;-)
Hugs
Lara
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