Happy Cakes: Cakespy Offers Sweet Prozac Alternatives for Dull Winter Days
Tuesday, February 19, 2008 
The chocolate boxes are empty; the red roses are wilting. Without a doubt, post-Valentine's Day can be a bummer time of year, with not much other than the chance green-dyed pastry and Irish Soda bread between now and Easter Candy. Happily for you, Cakespy has put together a list of some confectionery Prozac alternatives: happy desserts, perfect for the dark winter days still ahead.
Frown not upside down yet? While personally we've begun to suspect that you might be soulless, nonetheless we've got one more fail-safe happy idea, provided by Cake Gumshoe Karen (who also works at a very cool company, Mailbox Tees): an over-the-top Rainbow Layer Cake! While some may say (shun the non-believers) that simply adding food coloring doesn't change a cake's taste and character, we suggest that you hold off on making judgements til you taste this rainbow; we think you'll find that yes, magic does add a little something to the mix. Recipe listed here.
Gâteau Basque (Basque Cake)
Servings: 8
Preparation time: 15 minutes
Cooking time: 25 minutes
Ingredients:
- 2 cups flour
- 6 oz (12 Tbs) butter
- 2 eggs
- 3/4 cup sugar
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 cup black cherry jam
- 1/2 Tbs butter and 1 Tbs flour to prepare the mold
- 1 yolk for decorating the cake
Pre-heat the oven to 400 Degrees Fahrenheit.
Using 1/2 Tb, butter a round 7" pan. Coat the pan with flour.
In a bowl, mix flour, sugar and baking powder together and then add eggs and soft butter.
Split the dough into 2 parts, roll one out and place it in the pan, rising up the side of the pan by 1/2”.
Pour the jam on top of the dough.
Roll the second part of the dough on the table (after sprinkling some flour on the table) to form a round crust the same size as the pan.
Put it on top of the jam and stick the edges with the bottom dough. It is important to keep the jam inside the crust.
Mix an egg yolk with a few drops of water. Paint it on top of the crust.
Place in the oven for 25 minutes.
Recipe thanks to France Monthly.
cake, cake history, pastries to ship
Reader Comments (43)
Love that rainbow layer cake! Love it!
MMM...Basque Cake.
Is that the Space Needle in the background?
I want some jordan almonds now. I haven't had those in a long time.
I've never heard of Basque Cake before either but looking at the recipe it sure sounds great!
Cakes sure are give you that well being feeling! :D
Rosie x
Oh I learn something new everytime I visit!! never heard of basque cake. And that rainbow cake made me smile instantly :-)
Ok, the rainbow cake reminded us of a big oversized roll of lifesavers! Looks deliciously fun :)
I have a "you make my day" award for you....
The Gâteau Basque cake looks really good.
That rainbow cake looks so cool!
Yum yum yum, j'adore le gâteau basque!
The recipe seems so simple yet delicious.
Also, kudos on getting the accents right in both 'gâteau' and in 'dragées'; you wouldn't believe the spelling mistakes I see in very renowned, well-respected publications that never seem to bother to check their foreign spelling....
I am sooo excited!!! I am Basque and when I hear people know about us I get overjoyed!
Lydia: Happy to help! What a perfect idea for his birthday. A showstopper, isn't it?
Dhanggit: I'd say it's about time!
Su-Lin: Yes, the texture is really something else entirely. It's unlike any other cake I have ever had.
Anamika: Thanks for visiting all the way from Botswana! You are so talented, I checked out your sugar craft!
Bethany: Yes, but it is so tasty when it's done...
Stickygooey: Yes, I think the Jordan Almonds / dragees are a bit of an acquired taste. However, when you get good ones that are pretty fresh...yum.
Chililady: Thank you!
Bittersweet: That's what we're hoping they do!!
Happy Cook: Glad you liked it! :-)
Obsessive Foodie: We don't have a car so we walk everywhere, that is our secret!
Josephine: Thanks, they are so pretty, aren't they?
Karen: No, thank YOU for sending it! So happy!
Karen: Thank you! We will try to answer soon...
Deborah: It's about time you tried it!
Asha: Yes, delicious, isn't it??
Rural Vegan: Yes! Cake over drugs. Cake as drugs? Hmm...
Veggiegirl: Thanks! Your blondies recently looked awesome.
Veron: Have you been there before? You will love it!
Buttabuns: Thanks! And I just want to say, once again, buttabuns, thank you for visiting. Can you tell I like your name, buttabuns? Just once more. Butta. Buns. he he he
Diana: Yes, don't cakes just have that magical power?
TW: Yes, it does kind of transport you doesn't it? I would love to add your gumdrop cake if it's ok, to this writeup!
Ello: I don't know, there ARE delicious printer papers, but few are as delicious as the Basque cake, methinks.
Cakelaw: You can't go wrong!
Amy: Cake is way better than losing your mind!
EB: You said it! As usual, spot on.
Teachin': Yeah, isn't it totally fun?
Emiline: Yes, it's the space needle! That's the view from le cakespy's kitchen.
Rosie: Yes, cakes are the best for making you happy! Thank you for your kind words.
Vegan Noodle: If you left smiling we're doing our job! :-)
Tablebread: Oh, what a great association! I like that!
Diana: You make our day too! Thanks!
Kevin: Oh, it is.
Mary-Laure: Thank you! We try!!! ;-)
Aran: Yay! So happy to recognize your peeps--and their fantastic cake!
Love your site and your drawings are so fun.
I'm in the mood for a tasty treat now...
Me, Myself and I: Thanks! I seriously love the red velvet cake pic on your site today.
Bing ADORES Jordan Almonds and it was one of my valentine gifts to her.
Now, she can go get me some basque cake.
Oh this sounds lovely! I can't see the jam layer though? And I've been wanting to try some Basque recipes too so this is perfect.
Ooo that rainbow cake looks delicious. And I'm sad I missed your giveaway! I would've loved the chance to win some of your beautiful artwork. :)
Maria: exactly. Sounds fair to me!
Wandering: There's no jam on this one, points to you for noticing! ;-) We like to add to our liking. It's a good one!
Eat Me Delicious: Thank you for the kind words--and the cakes are wonderful! Damn you for posting those biscuits which we've been dreaming about all day though.
Eating a dessert like cakes might make you happy… enjoy with friends.. Do not worry about problem but you should concern about your health as well. Don’t eat too much. It might make you fat.