Easy to prepare, but at the same time luxuriously tasteful poppy cake “Queen Esther”, the recipe of which we offer, has long won the hearts of sweet tooth. The secret of his culinary success lies in the harmonious combination of airy biscuit cakes, soft cream, poppy seeds and tart citrus candied fruits. This is a dessert worthy of a queen.
The cake owes its name to one of the famous biblical women - Queen Esther (Esther), who was famous not only for her beauty, but also for her brilliant mind. Her image inspired the most eminent servants of the arts, such as Botticelli, Tintoretto and Mantegna, Rembrandt and Rubens. And now her poppy cake “Queen Esther” is named after her. You can find a recipe with a photo in a traditional version, as well as original dessert variations in our article.
Traditional cake recipe
In the vastness of the network you can find many different variations of this dessert. However, this is not surprising, because each housewife, tuned for a creative culinary mood, contributes to the recipe. It can be various additives, spices, jams and jams. However, the main feature that the Queen Esther cake has is that the recipe contains almost no flour. Biscuits cooked with lots of eggs are surprisingly soft and airy. A snow-white cream based on fat cream complements them. However, first things first.
So, for the preparation of biscuit cakes, you need to take the following ingredients:
- 6 large chicken eggs;
- 100 g of sugar;
- 2-3 tbsp vegetable oil;
- 4 tbsp flour;
- 1 tsp baking powder;
- ½ cup poppy seeds;
- ½ tsp vanilla.
The second stage of the process is the preparation of the cream. For it you will need: 200 ml of high fat cream (at least 30%), milk 1 cup, 120 g sugar, 1 yolk, a bar of white chocolate (for decoration), 2 tbsp. starch, ½ lemon (zest and juice). When all the products have been prepared, you can begin the process of making the cake.
Cake "Queen Esther": a recipe with photos - sponge cakes
In a deep bowl, mix the dry ingredients, namely: poppy seeds, baking powder and pre-sifted flour. Divide the eggs into proteins and yolks (place one of them separately, it will be needed for the preparation of cream in the future).
You can use natural vanilla (grinding with sugar), or take a bag of vanillin. Beat whites in a strong and stable foam, gradually adding sugar to them. Then add 5 yolks and vanilla one at a time, continue whisking for 2-3 minutes. Next, combine the liquid and dry component and place with a spatula until smooth. Do not overdo it, otherwise the dough will settle, having lost splendor.
Cake baking
In fact, the Queen Esther cake, the recipe of which we offer, can consist of an arbitrary number of cakes - two, three or four. If you want more, you will have to increase the number of products.
For baking, a mold with a diameter of 18-20 cm is best. It is good if it is silicone or detachable, with a special non-stick coating. In this case it is not necessary to lubricate the mold with oil, it is enough to cover the bottom with baking paper. Divide the dough into equal parts (in this case, three). Gently lay the first portion on the bottom of the mold and smooth with a spatula. Bake should be at 180 ° C for 10-15 minutes. Cakes should rise and acquire a golden hue. Allow them to cool and relax by preparing a cream at this time.
Cooking cream
One of the main features that the Queen Esther cake has (a step-by-step recipe is given in the article) is an air cream. To prepare it in a small bowl, mix 2 tbsp. milk with starch and 1 tbsp. Sahara. Get a homogeneous mass. In the stewpan, put the remaining milk and sugar, yolk, bring to a state of boiling. Then add the starch mixture and cook on a very low heat until thickened. The process will take several minutes. Add squeezed lemon juice and grated zest to the cream.
Whip cream in a thick and elastic mass, you can add a small amount of sugar. Gently introduce them into the custard, adding literally a spoonful. This way you can maintain an airy texture.
Cake assembly
When all the components are ready, you can start collecting the Queen Esther cake. The recipe, as you can see, is quite simple, but it takes some time. If you did not calculate the proportions of the dough and the shape, and you got too thick cakes, then it is best to divide them with a knife or fishing line into even parts. So they are soaked with cream faster.
On a wide dish or a special plate for the cake, lay the first cake, sprinkle it with poppy seeds. Then brush with cream. Repeat the procedure two more times. Then, using a pastry syringe or spatula, coat the sides of the cake, creating the effect of waves (as in the photo) - a flat surface does not look so attractive. From above you can decorate pastries with white chocolate chips or fresh berries.
The traditional cake “Queen Esther” was presented to your attention. The recipe with a photo step by step demonstrates all the stages of preparation, so it is unlikely that you will have any difficulties.
If you want to add something original and new to the traditional recipe, then we can offer several options.
Option number 1
Change the ingredient composition of the cream, and you get a completely new look on the theme of the Queen of Esther cake. The easiest and cheapest option is butter, although it certainly increases calories. To prepare such a cream you will need: 350 g of salted butter, 400 g of powdered sugar, 1.5 tsp each. almond (marzipan) liquor and vanilla essence.
The softened butter must be beaten with a mixer together with the rest of the ingredients until fluffy and airy. The cream should be light in texture. What makes it unusual is the fact that salted oil is used, which contrasts in taste with powder and vanilla.
To apply such a cream should be on well-cooled cakes, for this you can put them for some time in the freezer. Coat the cakes first. Apply the rest of the cream on the sides, distributing it with a spatula. You can decorate the surface with a zest of lemon or orange, which will give astringency and aroma.
Option number 2
Using various sour fruit jams, you can also pleasantly diversify the traditional Queen Esther cake. The recipe in this case changes very simply. On well-chilled cakes, before applying the cream, you need to apply a thin layer of thick jam (pitted) or jam, for example, raspberry (pictured). To emphasize the berry theme, on top of the cake can be appropriately decorated.
Option number 3
Another variation regarding cream replacement. This time we suggest you try a creamy cream that is gentle and melting in your mouth. It is not inferior in airiness and lightness, but at the same time it will give the cake a more intense and original taste.
To prepare cream cheese cream you will need:
- 400 ml cream (not less than 30% fat content);
- 450 g of soft cream cheese;
- 160 g of sugar.
Whip cold cream with a mixer until thick. They should not run down the wall of the bowl. In a separate deep cup, beat cream cheese, softened at room temperature, and sugar until a homogeneous air mass. Then add the cream in portions and gently mix with a spatula from the bottom up. The cream is ready, now you can easily apply it on cakes.
Option number 4
In conclusion, we want to recommend another way to surprise guests with a new version of Queen Esther cake. First, use the original impregnation, it will make the cakes more juicy, moist. To prepare it, take 250 ml of warm water, 4 tbsp. sugar and 80-100 ml of rum, or lemon juice. After mixing all the ingredients, simply apply the mixture to the cream on each cake on top and bottom with a brush.
Secondly, to make the cake more elegant and festive, you can use ganache - a fragrant creamy chocolate cream. By consistency, it can be different. To decorate the cake, liquid ganache is best suited, which gently spreads over the surface, leaving mouth-watering drops on the sides. Pay attention to the photo. Isn't that a great cake ?! A true work of art, the taste of which is beyond doubt!
If you want to pleasantly please loved ones, family and guests with a delicious dessert, be sure to try the Queen Esther cake. The recipe at home, as you see, is easy to implement. All you need is time, and the products are affordable and simple. In addition, you can always diversify the usual dessert, using one of our tips.