Apricot Cake

Chef Ron Oliver and Chef Bernard Guillas
Chef de Cuisine Ron Oliver and Chef Bernard Guillas
Executive Chef Bernard Guillas, along with Chef de Cuisine Ron Oliver, both of The Marine Room restaurant in La Jolla, returned to Sharp Grossmont as part of the Women’s Healthy Hour Seminars. They share a dessert recipe that will bring holiday pizzazz to your dinner party. Redefine the traditional fruit cake with this sure-fire hit.

Mildura Caramelized Apricot Cake With Clover Honey Fromage Blanc

Caramel Ingredients

  • 2/3 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/3 cup unsalted butter
  • 1 tablespoon water

Directions
Add all ingredients to 10-inch oven-proof skillet over medium-high heat. Cook until golden brown. Remove from heat. Cool 5 minutes or until caramel is hardened.

Apricot Ingredients

  • 12 apricots, halved, pitted
  • 1 orange, zested
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground allspice
  • 24 whole almonds
  • 1/4 cup apricot brandy

Directions
Combine all ingredients in large mixing bowl. Place one almond in center of each apricot half. Arrange apricots onto caramel in skillet, almond side down. Reserve remaining brandy mixture for batter.

Batter Ingredients

  • 4 large eggs, separated
  • 5 tablespoons granulated sugar
  • 1/3 cup cake flour, sifted

Directions
Preheat oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. In large mixing bowl, whisk egg yolks, 2 tablespoons sugar and reserved brandy mixture until thick and ribbony. Stir in flour. In separate bowl, beat egg whites to soft peaks. Add remaining sugar. Beat until stiff peaks. Fold into yolks using rubber spatula. Pour batter evenly over apricots. Bake 30 minutes or until skewer inserted in center of cake comes out clean. Remove from oven. Let stand 15 minutes. Place skillet over high heat 15 seconds or until caramel loosens and cake moves freely in the pan. Place large serving platter on top of skillet. Carefully and quickly invert cake onto serving platter. Cut into wedges.

Fromage Blanc Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup fromage blanc or ricotta cheese
  • 1/8 teaspoon freshly ground white pepper
  • 1/8 teaspoon flaky sea salt
  • 2 tablespoons clover honey

Directions
Whisk fromage blanc, pepper and salt until well combined. Transfer to serving bowl. Drizzle honey atop.

Serves 8, family style.

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