Description
Sweet Southern charm blossoms in Lady Baltimore Cake, a nostalgic dessert rich with dried fruit, nuts, and fluffy white frosting. Delicate layers whisper stories of elegant tea parties, inviting you to savor each heavenly crumb of this classic American confection.
Ingredients
Scale
Cake Ingredients:
- 3 cups cake flour, sifted
- 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
- ½ cup (1 stick or 113 grams) unsalted butter, room temperature
- ½ cup plus 1 tablespoon buttermilk
- ½ cup water
- 3 egg whites
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 1 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract
- ¼ teaspoon almond extract
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Filling Ingredients:
- ½ cup raisins, chopped
- ½ cup pitted dates, diced
- ½ cup chopped walnuts or pecans
- ½ cup water
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 teaspoon rum extract
Frosting Ingredients:
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 4 egg whites
- ¼ cup water
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon cream of tartar
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Instructions
- Prepare oven by heating to 375°F (190°C) and prepare two 9-inch cake pans with grease and parchment paper.
- Sift together dry ingredients including flour, baking powder, and salt in a medium mixing bowl.
- Using an electric mixer, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy, then incorporate vanilla and almond extracts thoroughly.
- Combine buttermilk and water in a separate container.
- Gradually integrate dry ingredient mixture and liquid mixture into the butter base, alternating additions and mixing until just combined.
- Whip egg whites separately until forming stiff, glossy peaks, then delicately fold into cake batter without deflating the mixture.
- Distribute batter evenly between prepared cake pans, smoothing surfaces with a spatula.
- Bake for approximately 30 minutes, verifying doneness with a clean knife test. Allow cakes to rest in pans for 15 minutes before transferring to cooling rack.
- Create fruit filling by simmering raisins, dates, water, and honey in a saucepan until liquid fully absorbs.
- Remove fruit mixture from heat, then fold in rum extract and chopped nuts. Let cool completely.
- Prepare frosting by combining sugar, salt, cream of tartar, egg whites, and water in a saucepan.
- Heat mixture while continuously beating with electric mixer until achieving stiff, glossy peaks and sugar dissolves completely.
- Remove frosting from heat and incorporate vanilla extract.
- Optional: Level cake layers by trimming uneven tops for more uniform presentation.
- Blend 1/2 cup frosting into fruit filling to create a creamy, textured mixture.
- Assemble cake by placing first layer on serving plate, spreading fruit filling, then carefully positioning second layer. For more intricate presentation, slice layers horizontally to create multiple tiers.
- Frost entire cake generously, creating decorative peaks and swirls using back of spoon.
- Embellish with additional chopped nuts across top and sides for visual appeal.
- Slice cake carefully and serve immediately. Store any remaining cake in refrigerator to maintain freshness.
Notes
- Use room temperature ingredients to ensure smooth, even mixing and optimal cake texture.
- Sift dry ingredients to prevent lumps and create a lighter, more uniform cake crumb.
- Gently fold egg whites to maintain their airy structure, which helps the cake rise and stay tender.
- Toast nuts before adding to the filling for enhanced flavor and a deeper, nuttier profile.
- Allow cake to cool completely before frosting to prevent melting and maintain structural
- Prep Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Category: Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 12
- Calories: 300
- Sugar: 40 g
- Sodium: 150 mg
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 50 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg