It’s been a happy couple of weeks in the Bowl household. We’re as susceptible to worries and stress and anxieties as the next people (okay, probably more), but in the worst of it we’ll still look at each other, tucked under a gigantically fluffy comforter in the soft weeknight darkness, and say, but you know … we have it so good. It’s so tempting to forget, but we do. Family, friends, good food, each other. These past few weeks have seen a couple snags — a nasty stomach bug, lingering springtime sniffles — but they’ve been packed with so many happy things that we’ve barely noticed. B2 gave me the biggest surprise of my life when he flew my brother in to visit for the weekend (I was so shocked, guys, I opened the door and didn’t recognize my little bro for like ten seconds) and we’ve been seeing our fair share of his side of the family too, cousins with gleeful toddlers and gummy-smile’d babies, aunts and uncles in town for Easter, brunches and laugh-filled dinners galore. I love it. I’m the sappiest, but family always makes me so happy.
Because cake goes hand-in-hand with happy times, here’s a little one for your Tuesday. It’s a birthday cake for TRB! Today marks two years since I first posted on this little space with a much-loved recipe for bibimbap that we still make all the time. Two years! It feels both longer and shorter than that. Sometimes it’s weird to think there was ever a time when I wasn’t constantly learning from and inspired by and celebrating food with you and this vibrant, technicolor blog-world of ours, but it’s also like, wait, scroll back just a few pages and I’m at the beginning? When pie crusts were a total mystery and I had no idea what kugel was, or how to make horchata, or why anyone would buy large eggs instead of jumbo. That’s wild. I won’t wax too lyrical, but thank you! I’m so glad that we’re here.
One more thing to thank you for before we talk about cake! Just as my brother was boarding his plane for one big surprise last week, another one arrived — it turns out that this now-toddling blog is a finalist in this year’s Saveur Blog Awards! Guys, I am so shocked, humbled, and grateful. So thank you, also, for making that happen. I’m still pinching myself. You can see the other finalists and vote for your favorites here.
And now (finally), cake!
As usual, this miniature almond cake makes just enough for two. It’s a riff on this olive oil number I posted back in December, and like most of the cakes I make, it’s baked in three 4-ounce ramekins and it’s egg-free. Instead, it gets its lift from a vinegar-baking soda one-two punch (very scientific am I), with a little Greek yogurt to add some support, for a crumb that’s slightly delicate but still moist and substantial. My favorite part about the cake, though, is this mascarpone frosting — whipping mascarpone with heavy cream makes an unbelievably dreamy, billowy frosting that’s decadent but not nearly as sweet as a buttercream, and infusing the cream in this frosting with rose petals gives it a fresh, fragrantly floral note that I can’t get enough of. Rose is one of my all-time favorite flavors, and paired with a subtly almond cake base, it made for one of my favorite desserts to date. Happy Tuesday!
PrintMiniature almond cake with rose mascarpone frosting
Mascarpone frosting adapted from Call Me Cupcake.
Ingredients
- for the cake:
- 55 g (about 7 tbsp) all-purpose flour (if you don’t have a kitchen scale, I would use 6 tbsp, fluffed, lightly scooped, and leveled; see Notes)
- 1/4 cup sugar
- pinch salt
- 1/4 tsp baking soda
- 1/4 tsp white, apple cider, or rice vinegar
- 1 tbsp plus 2 tsp neutral-tasting oil
- 3 tbsp milk
- 1 tbsp Greek or plain yogurt
- 1/2 tsp almond extract
- for the rose mascarpone frosting:
- 4 oz (1/2 cup) heavy cream
- 1 tbsp organic dried rose petals, plus more for garnish* (see Notes)
- 4 oz (1/2 cup) Vermont Creamery mascarpone cheese
- 1–2 tbsp confectioners’ sugar (or more, to taste)
Instructions
- Do ahead: Combine heavy cream and rose petals in a small saucepan over low heat. Cook, stirring continuously, just until hot — do not let it come to a boil. Remove from heat and chill the mixture in the refrigerator until completely cold or overnight. (*Note*: If you don’t have time to do this beforehand, substitute 1 tsp rosewater for the rose petals, and use petals only for garnish.)
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line three 4-ounce or two 6-ounce porcelain ramekins with parchment paper.
- In a small bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, salt, and baking soda, and set aside. In a medium bowl, whisk together vinegar, olive oil, milk, yogurt, and almond extract. Gently fold the wet ingredients into the dry until just incorporated.
- Divide batter evenly between the ramekins and bake for 16-18 minutes, or until domes have set and bounce back when touched, and a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
- When ready to make the frosting, whisk the mascarpone and confectioners’ sugar together in a large bowl until smooth. Strain out the rose petals from the cream and add the cream to the mascarpone. (Alternatively, add 1 tsp rosewater instead of infusing the cream.) Using an electric mixer, beat the cream and mascarpone mixture together until it forms stiff peaks. Be careful not to overbeat — the mixture will continue to set after you stop whipping. If the frosting turns grainy, just add a bit more cream, a tablespoon at a time, and whisk by hand to smooth it out.
- Frost the cake as desired. If frosting it “naked,” like above, serve immediately. Enjoy!
Notes
The weight of the flour is more important here than usual because the scale of the cake is so small, and measuring flour by tablespoons can be a bit finicky weight-wise. When scooping by tablespoons instead of scooping into a cup and leveling, 6 tablespoons can add up to 1/2 cup of flour by weight (63 g) fairly easily, and will result in a denser cake, more like pound cake in texture, that stays pale even when fully baked. The amount above (55g) should be golden brown on top once baked, and is light and more delicate. Happily, both are delicious, just in different ways.
As noted in the instructions, if you don’t have the time to infuse the cream with the rose petals beforehand, simply add 1 tsp rosewater to the cream and mascarpone before whipping and proceed as normal.
Hung Quach
Congrats Cynthia, I’ve only been following your blog for a short while but from what I’ve seen so far, being selected for the blog awards is well deserved!
tworedbowls
Thank you so much for the kind words, Hung!! I’m so happy you’re here!
Kathryn
Happy happy two years of blogging! It’s been such a delight to get to know you through these site and see how it’s grown into something so inspiring! And huge congrats on the nomination, I was so thrilled when I saw your name there. Nobody deserves it more xo
tworedbowls
I can’t tell you how much it means to have made friends as lovely as you through this blog, Kathryn. You are such a constant ray of sunshine and you never fail to make me smile — thank you so much for your kindness and for your friendship!
Kate
Happy days! This is such a lovely post to read – I’m smiling as I sit at my computer 🙂 Hugest congrats on the Saveur nomination, on this lovely cake and on 2 years blogging. Can we also take a second to think TWO YEARS?!! Is that all?! You are SUCH a pro – the food blogging world wouldn’t be the same without you x
tworedbowls
You leave the kindest, most thoughtful comments, Kate! Your comment made me smile! Thank you so much for your sweet words.
Erica
Oh wow Cynthia, this is absolutely beautiful. I just feel like the cake is floating in the clouds with the white sheet all around it, love love love it!! <3
And happy blog anniversary! I just had bibimbap at home last week, it's seriously the best. And now that it's getting warm, it's time to eat summer bibimbap too, which has me all excited!
tworedbowls
Thank you so so much, Erica!! You’re too kind. And YES, bibimbap forever!!! 😀
sophie // the cake hunter
I love these pictures. They look beautiful. Congratulations on your Saveur nomination…very well deserved!
tworedbowls
You are so sweet, Sophie! Thank you so much.
themoonblushbaker
WOW!!! I have blogged almost as long as you but I hardly have the photographic skills set you do, Cynthia. Well deserved on the nomination.
I may have only start following you religiously recently but I am hoping you continue to deliver recipes, both savoury and sweet, for many years to come. Fingers crossed you get a cook book deal soon!
Abby @ The Frosted Vegan
Congrats on all the above love! I adore when you post these cute little cakes for two, they just make me so happy : ) Here’s to many more momentous occasions and dinners filled with laughter! xoxo
Amanda | What's Cooking
What a beautiful cake. Im still trying to figure out proportions with mini cakes. This looks so perfect and i love the marscapone idea. I too had a horrible stomach bug, but i love that you remember how lucky you are. It almost helps you see it when you feel better. Family is precious and what a beautiful thing bowl2 did for you! I love seeing my brother. Congratulations! You deserve the finalist nomination! You’re thoughtful, creative and your photography is beautiful. Reading your blog feels like coming on the journey with you and i know how hard you work. What a beautiful thing to have that rewarded. Happy blogoversary! enjoy and enjoy! Xo
Lynn | The Road to Honey
Happy 2 year blog-iversary and congrats on your nomination. I am a sucker for mini desserts and this one is no exception. I bet that rose mascarpone brings a delicately interesting flavor to this cake.
Jessie Snyder | Faring Well
I just love this! Filled with so much cheeriness and happiness and joy. So so happy for you, and so true about all the wonderful things in life to be thankful for! Including your gorgeous blog and sweet personality that have now graced the inter webs for two years – congratulations Cynthia!! How wonderful. And these cakes. Hope there has been lots of happy cake eating to celebrate all this awesomeness in your home. Family + nomination + cake // three great reasons to have a slice or too and have a little happy-dance party. Hope you are having the best week! You two bowls deserve it!! <3
molly yeh
oh man oh man oh man happy birthday, little two red bowls!!!! i can’t believe it’s only been two years 🙂 this is such a perfect little cake for it. ok really TEN SECONDS that you didn’t recognize your brother for?! you’re silly.
I CAN’T WAIT TO SEE YOU NEXT WEEK!!!!!
Sini
The happiest blogiversary, Cynthia! Two years and look what you’ve achieved! I’m not only talking about being a Saver Blog Awards finalist for the second year in a row (you rule!) but about your learning curve and having built such an incredible community. I’m so proud of you, miss! (wish I could give you a big hug and a Finnish cinnamon roll right now)
These cake are just insane; so gorgeous! I love everything about them – their size (cute!!), the flavor pairings (can’t wait to hear what you’re planning or your wedding), and these pics. So Two Red Bowls.
Cheers and hurray,
Sini
thejameskitchen
Wonderful news, Cynthia, congratulations on both! And what a charming cake to celebrate it all, love the snazzy mascarpone frosting which I will definitely use on alot of cakes soon.
Happy festivities on this great Tuesday,
Nicole
Michelle @ Hummingbird High
Wow, I can’t believe you’ve only been blogging for 2 years!!! Your work suggests otherwise; your recipes and photos are such an inspiration to me (and everybody else according to Saveur)! Congratulations again!!!
And of course, this cake looks delicious as always.
S Lauren | Modern Granola
Yay! Congratulations! You deserve it! This is the cutest cake I’ve ever seen, by the way!
Sara
First of all, CONGRATULATIONS LADY!!!! It’s been so freaking amazing seeing your blog grow and how your style has become more refined since the beginning. I felt like you were so cool when I first met you, and look at you now! You’re like superstar status. Also, I want to dip all of my fingers in that frosting and eat until I feel sick. So there’s that. <3
Nicole
Happy times! Congrats on two years and on the happy surprises in your life 🙂 The cake is so cute and I’m intrigued by your egg-less magical ways!
Rossi @ A Baking Girl
Congrats on your nomination! It was well earned!!
Grace
So many wonderful things to celebrate! Big congratulations on the Saveur nomination and 2 years!! I’ve always been such a fan of your photography and styling, so excited for all this! And this cake! Gorgeous!
Julia@Vikalinka
Happy anniversary TRB! I am thrilled you decided to start this blogging thing two years ago, Cynthia. Your posts fill me with so much joy as you must be one of the most optimistic people I’ve met! Thank you for sharing your creativity and bits of your life with us and congrats on the nomination! Yay!
Abby
Congratulations, Cynthia!
Your photos are so, so inspiring and I always look forward to reading your posts. Happy Birthday, TRB!!
This cake is gorgeous, and your styling is incredible. Love the flavors here! xoxo, can’t wait to see what you have in store for year three.
Sara @ Cake Over Steak
Happy 2nd Birthday! I can’t believe this blog is only 2 years old and you can already make cake look that sexy. I love your little itty-bitty cakes. And I hear what you’re saying about how even in the “bad” times we still have it so good – Robert and I have similar conversations all the time. Looking forward to many more blog posts in the future. 🙂 xoxo
Heather Gummo
These are so cute! Your photos are beautiful as usual – I love the roses. Congratulations on the Saveur nomination. Definitely well deserved!
Nancy @ gottagetbaked
Cynthia, it’s incredible how much you’ve accomplished in the two years since TRB debuted. Happy blogiversary, my friend. You should be very proud of yourself. When I was scrolling through the Saveur nominations for this year, I was thrilled to see you there again – it’s very much deserved! This cake is adorbs and the perfect individual size 😉 xoxo
Medha @ Whisk & Shout
I am amazed that you have only had this blog for two years! You are doing absolutely amazingly and I love your recipes 🙂 The photography is stunning as per usual and I wish you the best of luck in the awards!
Erika
The happiest of Happy 2 years of such creative goodness! I fall more in love with you every post babes! Best of luck with the awards. You’ve already got my vote! xoxo
Sherriee
This is gorgeous {as usual} Cynthia! And even with all the worries of the world, life is still SO good. Congratulations on the Saveur nomination, this is so well deserved. I am looking forward to NYC in June, xo!!
Agnes {Cashew Kitchen}
Only two years??? Gosh I feel like you’ve been around forever! Haha not that I’m tired of it!! What i mean is you seem to experienced and all recipes and photos are just fab <3 I'm so happy to hear about Saveur Blog Awards! Yay!! You totally deserve it you talented lady. And of course it couldn't have happened without B2 supporting and eating it all, right? 😉
All the best,
Agnes
Sami
I love your cakes for two. It’s such a great idea (and I’m in the very same boat).
Renee Kemps
Oh. Absolutely GORGEOUS!! As always.. I’m so happy for you that your little brother came over. That must have been amazing, to suddenly see him standing in front of you. And I guess I share your sappiness; family is just love, can’t live without them! And your nomination!! And this cake!! Congratulations Cynthia, so well deserved! And I can’t wait to meet you in real life!!! I’m so overexcited about that!
Kimberly/TheLittlePlantation
This blog is full of joy and it’s why I love visiting.
The cake looks so stunning. Your pictures are to die for and you’re such an inspiration.
Congratulations on your nomination. Well deserved 🙂
Stephanie @ Girl Versus Dough
A bebe cake! I love it. And congrats on all the happy things! Such a great reminder for me to be grateful for what I have. 🙂
Lindsey
ahhhhh! this cake is absolutely perfect, you make the most beautiful minis! and, couldn’t be more excited for your nom, lady 🙂
loved reading that bit about b2 surprising you with a visit from your little bro —> heart melts! that #2, he’s a good one 😉 yay for friends, family, and all the stuff that smiles and love are made of! so so happy for you my friend! xo
Warm Vanilla Sugar
What a beauty! This sounds so scrumptious!
Pang @ circahappy
Thank you so much for being such an inspiration for all of us in a blogging community, Cynthia. You have been such a gem, and I have been so happy since the day I discovered TRB.
Happy Birthday to a loveliest blog, and more years to come 🙂
xoxo
Laura (Tutti Dolci)
What a darling cake, that frosting sounds sublime!
jenna @ justjfaye.com
CONGRATS on another year of this amazing blog! I love following along, gawking at your gorgeous photography and reading your stories and creative recipes.
Jessica Cox
So beautiful as always Cynthia! I just love this photographs to bits!! Jess.
Meghan
Congrats Cynthia, on both your nomination and your blog birthday! TRB has grown to be one of my favorite blogs in the past two years from every aspect- photography, recipe, and writing wise. It’s amazing to see how far you’ve come, and I’m so looking forward to whatever you have planned for the future.
Also, this cake is absolutely gorgeous! That mascarpone sounds dreamy. (And if you don’t mind me asking, where are those grey plates from? The two in the very last picture, with the slices of cake on them? So beautiful.)
stephanie
happy happy blog birthday lady!! so, so amazed by all that you do! yay to your blog being just a wee babe AND being a finalist in this year’s sav awards. i see many bright things in trb’s future!!! xoxox
ps – mascarpone frosting is my absolute fave!
Millie | Add A Little
I love the roses – so beautiful!! And congratulations on the blog birthday Cynthia yay!!!
Marta @ What should I eat for breakfast today
Happy happy birthday 😀 2 years, this is a long time but I hope to see many many more 🙂
Our Food Stories
Awww, happy blog-birthday <3 <3 and what a perfect birthday cake, totally in love <3
Hugs from Berlin,
Laura & Nora
Joanna
I pop in here for food…but mainly because of photographs..ahhh! I’m full now 🙂
Lauren @ Lauren Caris Cooks
I know I already shared these like… everywhere because they are SO DAMN CUTE, but I just had to comment as well! I love mini cakes! Isn’t everything in mini just better than the full sized version?! Happy Birthday! xx
cindy
Congrats! On the blog birthday and nomination! This cake is so sweet, love the idea of a rose flavored frosting.
wallflourgirl
YAY for good times and lots of fun surprises, girl! And cake. Obviously cake. That moment when you opened the door to your little brother must have been such a fabulous shock–props to Bowl #2 for setting that one up! Here’s to wishing that the next few weeks will be filled with tons of fun and family for ya both!
Kathryn @ FoodieGirlChicago
Congrats on the blog anniversary and the Saveur nomination! I just recently started following your blog and absolutely love your photos.
Ellie@fitforthesoul
I seriously congratulate you and am so glad to know you–even if it’s through the screen! You’re such a darling and a talented writer+photographer. This was perfectly written and ahhhhhh so happy for you that you spent time with family! I realize that the older we get, the more we yearn for that sweet fellowship with our loved ones. 😀 And need I say more about this cake?! First of all. Cake. Then hellooo caaaake. And then mascarpone. One of my favorite things ever!
alanafixfeastflair
Happy two years!!!! YAY YAY YAY for family, mini cakes (!!!) and, HOORAY AND CONGRATS again and again on the Sav Nom!! You deserve it a million times over. So so love that you used a Call Me Cupcakes recipe for inspo on your frosting because I LOVE her chocolate mascarpone frosting and have adapted it for a couple of different cakes now. SOOO GOOD. Side note: can’t believe your beautiful cakes are eggless!! Seriously the perfect way to celebrate anything and everything!!
Emily
This looks like a must-make in the near future. Stunning! And seems like the perfect way to celebrate some seriously good news!
Brooke Bass
In some ways I can’t believe your blog is just 2 yo…it’s so beautiful and professional, it looks like you’ve been doing it your whole life. But at the same time I know that feeling of: “where’d all the time go??” 2 years is a lot of days! And this cake and these photos are unreal, Cynthia!
And the Saveur nom is so, so well deserved. Your photos are stunning, your writing is always personable and well crafted, and your food, well, it speaks for itself on my dinner table from time to time 😉 Congrats again, I’m so, so happy for you!
PS: We have an eerily similar diptych up on our posts this week…the one where it’s mostly white on the left–mine has empty tableware and yours has some roses and icing in it. I just pulled them up side by side and it totally made me laugh! I think we’re on the same wavelength this week! 😉
Meg | bread + barrow
Aw, this made me miss my brother so much! Its so hard when family is far away, huh? My little bro is in Montana going to school and being a cowboy. I know he’s having a blast and doing what he should be doing at 22, but its tough not seeing him at holidays. Im so glad you had yours this Easter <3 I also can't believe TRB is only two! Crazy! And I am so happy you are a Saveur nom – so well deserved. Im heading there next to vote for you, friend! xx
endorap
Congrats on becoming a Saveur finalist, Cynthia! I absolutely love your blog and it’s inspired me to try new recipes out of my comfort zone! So thank you and please keep writing! 🙂
Caryn @ hungrymusings
Hello!! I just discovered your blog and I’m in love! I’m going to be doing some major catching up because I know I’m going to be spending hours reading through your posts. Congratulations on your nomination!! I can totally see you deserve it 🙂
Ingrid
A happy belated birthday for Two Red Bowls! This space is so wonderful, you can be proud of yourself! These cakes look delicious, and they are so cute too haha! I recognize what you say about happiness. Sometimes it’s overlooked by everyday life, but it’s good to be aware of what you actually have. And I want to thank you for your sweet comment on my blog, I don’t know if you get an automatic mail or something like that when I reply again, but I just wanted to say that it makes me so happy that people like you, who I look up to, see what I am doing in the kitchen and are enthusiastic about it. Wow, that might be one of the longest sentences I have written in a while haha. 🙂 xo
emily
So glad TRB was born those two (short! or maybe fast!) years ago, Cynthia. It has been such a joy following your journey, sharing in your well-deserved accolades, salivating over your ever-evolving creations (each more crave-worthy than the next, I swear…) and drinking up your sweet prose and genuine commentary. So excited for what’s to come for you and B2 this year (wedding, eeeeeee!) — and so, SO privileged to be able to call you one of my first blogging buds. Biggest hugs and cheers to many more happy returns! xo. em
Sarah @ SnixyKitchen
Congrats on your nomination!! I’ve got my fingers crossed for you, my friend! I cannot believe your photos, recipes, and words are so beautiful and well-developed after only two short years. Your blog is such an inspiration to me! I also love that this cakes serves two (or in my case, one…I’m a pig) because I have a hard time putting the fork down. Rose mascarpone? Dude. Can I triple the recipe for me and my five friends? (Okay, okay, I don’t plan on sharing it…it’s just for me)
Nik@ABrownTable
Congrats, Cynthia! A nomination well deserved. I do hope we get to see you later this year, it would be fun to finally meet!
Gintare
Has it been 2 years already?! Congrats with a milestone and wishing you many many many more years of delicious plates! Xx
Tarica Navarro
You must be one of those rare humans who were blessed with being talented with everything. Cooking, photography, styling, writing… and law? I mean come on, that’s crazy! No, really. I love you. You’re amazing!
[email protected]
Cynthia, it’s wonderful to hear you’ve been enjoying the past few weeks despite late breaking illnesses. And I’m so glad to see your stunning blog get the recognition it deserves. This cake is just the prettiest – good to see you’re celebrating in style. (Cannot WAIT to meet you this summer. It’s going to be such a treat!)
raspberry
rose petal infused cream lol seems a bit pretentious..nah, can’t be bothered to make this, there are a ton of other much simpler and delicious cake recipes without all the fuss
Beauty Follower
Yummy photos!
http://beautyfollower.blogspot.gr
Sandra @ Heavenly Deviled Eggs
Your photos are beautiful and I love the idea of a small cake just enough for two. Lovely and adorable!