the sun is tumbling into my kitchen this morning.. the window up just-a-smidge …ushering in a crisp breath of spring air ♥ I think I’ll have a wee slice of spring spree for breakfast please
the sun is tumbling into my kitchen this morning.. the window up just-a-smidge …ushering in a crisp breath of spring air ♥ I think I’ll have a wee slice of spring spree for breakfast please
by Barbara Bamber | justasmidgen
Absolutely GLORIOUS Smidge! I love what you’ve done here and cannot wait to try with Orange Flower Water & Cardamom! You may be a genius, and for absolute certain, you’re still Queen of Cakes! xoxo spree (and your photos, and that SUN, so pretty too!)
I <3 you spree.. But you know that by now:) Good things come from great things and we're a pretty awesome 'team' when that can happen.. Thanks so much for your inspiration. I'm so glad we've connected! xoxo Smidge
Orangeflower Water and Cardamom sounds delicious to me. I still need to eat breakfast and now I want cake lol
Simply beautiful.
Hahaha, better eat something healthy first:)
Although aren’t grapes good for us? xo
I’m gladder! (but maybe just a smidge!) xo
I totally agree hehe
Beautiful! I love simple cake like this!
xo
This is stunning. I saw a similar one the other day, but don’t recall it using orange blossom. Such a great ingredient.
Yummy!
Thanks for sharing!!
I loved this recipe
Oh you just took a cake to a whole different level – orange blossom and cardomoms. I’m on my way to yours for brekkie!
Once again.. an absolutely perfect page smidge, you are an artist! c
What a simply perfect tea cake – sophisticated, wonderful flavours and gorgeous presentation
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
What a wonderfully evocative name for a cake – it makes me feel like I have to make it.
Beautiful and so enchanting the way you lead us gently into the recipe. Bliss!
Double yum! I wondered if they were cherries, but grapes! Awesome!
What a beautiful looking cake and I love the combination of ingredients. Good to hear you had family over to share it with and weren’t they all kind to leave you a slice for your breakfast – what a decadent start to the day! xx
This looks delightful, the grapes must be incredible in a baked cake. Very pretty indeed.
Well done, Barb! Your posts are always so beautifully composed, and today’s is no exception. This time around, you took Spree’s wonderful recipe, added a few ingredients, and made it your own — and a fantastic cake, too. Spree was right: you are the Queen of Cakes!
Dear Smidge, I am glad that Spree gave you some inspiration. Everything about this tea cake is so dainty from the flavors to the plating. If you just say orange flower water you know it is going to be yummy. Take Care and Happy spring to you. BAM
Exactly should be made…. So beautiful and delicious… How smells I can imagine… Thank you dear Barbara, you are amazing. Have a nice week, with my love, nia
A beautiful combination that couldn’t be anything but amazing in taste! I’ve been on the hunt for orange blossom water.
What a beautiful looking tea cake. I’ve made bread with grapes in it, but never a tea cake. The eastern influence with the orange blossom is really creative and sounds really good. Mmmm, can’t wait to try this out!
Absolutely gorgeous cake and pictures – looks delightful, and perfect for spring!
Mm. I love the addition of honey and cardamom.
Absolutely stunning as usual Smidge! Wow! And it all looks so yummy! Gorgeous shots!
Smart use of the spring form! I think I tried to comment on this before, so I apologize if you get two:] This recipe is just that lovely
Wow, this cake looks AH-MAZING. I’ve made a blueberry tea cake recently and I absolutely loved it so I’m sure I’ll love this too! Thanks for sharing such a wonderful recipe!
Smidge, I love your posts so much – everything is always so perfect and beautiful.
Mandy
Glorious, especially with those lovely Moroccan hints of orange blossom and cardamom! That’s a very sensible and restrained slice you’ve had for breaky, Smidge – I doubt I could exercise so much self-control when presented with something so delicious! And I’m with Mandy, your posts are always pure joy to read and see..
x
Another beautiful and dreamy cake to savor on a nice spring day.
Absolutely gorgeous! And the shot with the cream on the side? Perfect. Your food and photos are always incredible.
We used orange blossom in a recipe this weekend too. Isn’t the fragrance just wonderful! This tea cake looks delicious. A lovely cake to serve guests. And I can just smell it.
I love starting my weeks here with your posts Smidge. You put me in the proper frame of mind, and I could hug you for it.
Beautiful words with beautiful photos = Monday happiness.
The cake sounds heavenly. I feel like I need to make this for breakfast. It would sure beat the English muffin and raspberry compote combo I have going on right now
Thank you for a gorgeous Monday morning Smidge. xoxo
Thank you:)
It has a very distinct flavor.. my guests wondered what it was because they couldn’t quite place it. Thanks!
Hold on.. did you say raspberry compote.. I think that sounds like the perfect breakfast:)
Hmmm, I had to take the photo shot from this side so you wouldn’t see the pile of whipped cream that had spread down over the other side.. But the slice itself is restrained, so it must be low-cal, right;) xo Smidge
The post and cake, both works of art! For the uninitiated like me…Where might one get orange blossom water? Looks just divine.
In our city we have a store called The Silk Road Spice Merchants that sells this. Also I’m sure any specialty food store would carry it, likely a “Whole Foods” type of store? I’m not sure where you live, but maybe try googling “spice” store for your city?? Good luck and thanks! xo Smidge
Thank you!!
That’s such a nice compliment, thank you!
Come on over;)
Thanks c:) not looking..
Thank you, it was delicious for sure:)
I really enjoy finding names that are unusual for recipes that I’ve changed up:)
Thanks:) That’s how I like to write, most of the time.. xo
You know, I was looking for cherries, which aren’t anywhere near being in season here, so thought I’d stick with the grapes. I think cherries would be fantastic.. maybe this summer:)
Hahaha, yes, a little slice for the baker:)
I would have been a bit skeptical, but had spree’s lovely cake as proof that they turn out really pretty:)
I think I’ve become much more adventurous through reading other people’s creations.. so I’ve become more daring with the little bit of knowledge I acquire on other’s blogs.. like yours:) Queen of Cakes! Ha, I guess that’s better than the Queen of Tarts, I mean, Hearts! xo Smidge
I bet you’ve used orange flower water a lot in your cooking, Bam. Your flavors are always so exotic and inspiring:)
Thank you nia.. I hope you have a beautiful week yourself:) xo
I picked this up a while back and was just waiting for the recipe that called for it! So glad I did, it has a very unique and distinct scent, not really like orange juice at all.. xo Smidge
I imagine a bread with grapes would be so lovely! Is it on your blog??
It is quite the pretty cake, I think because it’s “undressed” (no icing) and the sugar sprinkles add sparkle..
That took me a while to figure out.. I was thinking glaze but didn’t want a “sugar” taste and I wanted some shine.. ergo, honey:) The cardamom went with the orange water, I think because I’ve read it on so many different blogs:) Thank you!
Thank you, Sonel:)
I think it only came through once:) I don’t often use the springform, so it was fun!
I think you could easily substitute blueberries in this one, it would be fantastic with the lemon:) Thank you!
Thank you, Mandy xo as are yours:)
Thanks so much, Malou. And thank you for the follow, it’s an honor from someone with so much skill in photography:) xo Smidge
I’ve just re-followed, Barbara. It seems that when I upgraded my subscription and changed my email address, I lost connection to all the blogs I am following.
No, I haven’t made it again in some time. I can dig it up the recipe and send it to you if you are interested. It was in a food and wine recipe book from California, if memory serves me correctly.
I sometimes wish I could just print out your entire blog–it is simply beautiful from beginning to end! This particular week is a little busier for me than usual, yet somehow I MUST try this cake. I will have such a house-full over next weekend…I think I’d like to make this a centerpiece and discourage eating it. It’s pretty in its simplicity! Just beautiful and so aromatic, I’m sure. I hope you have a lovely week…you do contribute to mine! Debra
What a great spring treat – and I’ve never seen grapes in any cake before. It intrigues me.
I’d be proud to take this round to the in-laws. And I have a 92 year old grandma-in-law who has that many years’ of experience in cake making!
I have learned, from today, that i can’t come to your space without eating something first lol. You should see me right now, I am completely hungry and want dessert now
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My friends have said I need to make a book of these.. I’d love to, it would be fun to look back at each year:) I hope you get the chance to make it.. And yes, you should have a lovely week as well, Debra! Xoxo Smidge
I thought it would be unusual, but it “made sense” when eating it.. If that made any sense, lol!
Well, now that’s just a real compliment if I’ve ever heard one! Give your grandma-in-law a big hug for me.. That’s awesome to be 92, is she still baking?
Lol.. Now that means you’re just not eating enough!!
Beautiful! And such fun to see my mama Spree here, too. I really need to give this dessert a try!
Hahaha, just keepin’ it in the family:)
Beautiful tea cake. I love your cake stand!
I really have never used orange flower water before before. This is why I love having dear international foodie friends, like you, from all over the world. I am always learning new things from their kitchens. Thanks for the inspiration Smidge. Have a great holiday week! BAM
Well, that’s neat.. probably one of the few ingredients left, I think;)
Thanks.. it was a great find at Home Sense (Winners) here in Canada…
What a delicious tea cake for breakfast! And such a great idea to use whole grapes.
I’m not sure I’ve ever seen grapes baked in a cake like that – how interesting! I’d love to try this…
I’m in love with your cake, hehe… looks so delicious smidge.
Cardamom and orange water are such an incridible ingredients, love to use it…they give any recipe a new level of flavour.
I thought it would be strange, but it was strangely delicious eating them:)
It was really a neat flavor.. The combination is in many other recipes so I thought I’d give it a try.. And glad that I did!
Oh Smidge, this is so pretty; I’d love to stop by to rest and enjoy a slice of this cake! You presented this so perfectly that I felt like I was right there with you. The combination of flavors are tempting me to try this very soon!
I could use a little sit down with tea about now.. And I’d join you if I could:) xo
That sounds worth waking up for.
I would never have thought to put grapes on a cake but that looks wonderful !
It really did turn out to be one of my favorite cakes!