Enchanting Gluten-Free Almond Cake: Your Guide to a Magical Fairy Afternoon Tea Picnic
There’s something truly special about an afternoon tea picnic, especially when the golden days of summer are just beginning to yield to the crisp embrace of autumn. It’s a cherished moment to gather your dearest friends and family, to share laughter, stories, and delectable treats under the gentle sunshine. Imagine a table laden with delicate sandwiches, warm, flaky scones, and at its heart, a stunning, light, and airy almond cake, adorned with nature’s bounty. Add a playful touch of magic by inviting the resident fairy folk, and you have the recipe for an unforgettable garden party.
This past summer, the perfect opportunity arose to host such an enchanting event: a Forest Fairy Afternoon Tea. My aunt, cousin, her daughter, and my sister came for a visit, bringing with them an extra dose of joy and helping hands. Together, we embarked on a delightful journey of preparing the goodies, meticulously setting the table, and finally, reveling in the magical ambiance of our back garden gathering. It was an afternoon filled with nibbling on treats, sipping fragrant teas, catching up on life, and perhaps, even a few secret visits from our tiny, ethereal guests.
Creating a Whimsical Fairy Retreat
To truly bring our Forest Fairy Afternoon Tea to life, we focused on crafting an atmosphere brimming with charm and enchantment. The first step was to carefully select a variety of little fairy figurines, tucking them into secret corners around the table and amidst the surrounding greenery. Their subtle presence hinted at a magical world just beyond our sight.
The foundation of our tablescape began with elegant linens. A delicate lace tablecloth graced a smaller side table, while a vibrant apple green damask tablecloth covered the main dining area, instantly setting a whimsical and natural tone. To add character and a touch of nostalgic charm, we opted for mismatched china and teacups, each piece telling its own story. These were complemented by my mother’s exquisite hand-crocheted napkin rings and soft linen napkins, adding a personal and heartfelt touch to the decor.
My passion for thrifting often yields hidden treasures, and for this occasion, I was particularly fortunate. I discovered two collapsible antique 3-tiered cake stands, perfect for showcasing our array of treats. Even more serendipitously, I found a charming fairy teapot – the very piece that ignited the inspiration for this entire fairy-themed collection! These finds added an authentic and personal touch that mass-produced items simply can’t replicate.
To complete the soft, pastel-themed look, we decorated the table with fresh sprigs of delicate green lady’s mantle blossoms, fragrant pink roses, and charming ceramic mushrooms. Pink candles cast a warm, inviting glow, while botanical drinking glasses added a touch of natural elegance. Every detail was carefully considered to create an atmosphere where magic felt just within reach, making it a truly unforgettable experience for everyone, especially our unseen fairy guests.
A Forest Fairy Afternoon Tea Menu That Charms
Our Forest Fairy Afternoon Tea wouldn’t be complete without a menu designed to delight both human and fairy palates. It was a carefully curated spread of sweet and savory treats, ensuring there was something to tempt every taste bud. The goal was to offer a balance of classic afternoon tea staples with a few whimsical additions, all made with fresh, high-quality ingredients.
Indeed, the Fairies Came in Droves!
The Full Menu for Our Enchanted Tea Party
* * * FOREST FAIRY AFTERNOON TEA PARTY MENU * * *
Savouries
Cucumber & Herb Tea Sandwiches, Coronation Chicken Salad Finger Sandwiches, Ham & Cheese with Mustard Finger Sandwiches
Mini Peppers stuffed with Shrimp Salad
Scones
Fruit Scones with Raisins, Gluten-Free Scones
Homemade Nutmeg Clotted Cream, Strawberry Jam
Sweets
Fruit & Flower Almond Cake
Mini Blue Pea Flower Donuts, Apple Raspberry Hand Pies, Raspberry Mousse Tartlets, White Chocolate & Coconut Truffles
Passionfruit Mousse Pots
Beverages
Orange Blossom Limeade, Summer Fruits Herbal Tea, Earl Grey Tea
The Gluten-Free Almond Cake: A Celebration Centerpiece
Taking pride of place at our tea party was the exquisite Fruit & Flower Almond Cake. This light and delicate almond sponge, crowned with a tangy yogurt whipped topping and a vibrant display of colorful fruits and edible flowers, truly became the star of our gathering. What makes this cake even more remarkable is its ease of preparation, making it one of my absolute go-to recipes for any occasion. It’s naturally gluten-free, ensuring that everyone can indulge without worry, and its versatility allows for endless customization with whatever fresh, seasonal fruits and beautiful flowers you have on hand.
A Deeper Dive into Our Enchanted Menu
Our menu was thoughtfully designed to offer a delightful journey for the senses, from savory bites to decadent sweets. We meticulously selected vibrant flowers, luscious berries, ripe seasonal fruits, and a variety of tasty nibbles to create a truly memorable spread.
- The Sandwiches: We curated a selection of classic and flavor-packed tea sandwiches, perfect for dainty fingers. Our choices included: coronation chicken salad on wholesome whole wheat fingers, offering a rich and subtly spiced bite; refreshing triangles of cucumber and herbed cream cheese on soft white bread, a timeless tea party favorite; and comforting ham and cheddar cheese with a hint of mustard on rye bread fingers, providing a satisfying savory option.
- A Fresh Bite: To add an element of unexpected freshness, we prepared mini sweet bell pepper halves stuffed with a zesty shrimp salad. The salad, a blend of chopped cooked shrimp, creamy mayonnaise, fragrant herbs, and a touch of horseradish, offered a burst of bright, delicate flavor.
- The Scones: No afternoon tea is complete without scones, and we offered two delightful varieties: light and fluffy gluten-free scones, ensuring accessibility for all guests, and traditional fruited scones studded with plump raisins.
- Perfect Accompaniments: To elevate the scone experience, we served a luxurious homemade clotted cream, gently infused with the warm spice of nutmeg, alongside a vibrant, sweet strawberry jam made from our very own garden strawberries. The combination was simply heavenly.
- The Sweets: The elegant fruit & flower almond cake commanded attention, standing proudly on a footed cake plate at the center of our magical table. It was surrounded by an array of other tempting desserts.
- Mini hand pies, generously stuffed with a fresh raspberry and apple filling, were an instant hit, offering a rustic charm with every bite.
- Amelia’s vibrant mini blue pea flower donuts were an eye-catching and absolutely delicious addition to the dessert layer – another testament to the joy of baking with kids! Their unique color and delicate flavor were much admired.
- Our raspberry cream tartlets provided a perfect mouthful of indulgence: a crisp pâté sucrée crust cradling a dollop of tangy rhubarb curd, then finished with a luxurious swirl of creamy raspberry-yogurt frosting.
- Individual passionfruit mousse pots offered a delightful burst of tropical flavor, tart, creamy, and wonderfully light.
- For those who desired something richer, we also prepared delicate white chocolate and coconut truffles, a truly decadent bite-sized treat.
- The Beverages: To complement our delightful spread, we offered a selection of refreshing drinks. A fresh and fruity orange blossom limeade, made using the lemonade recipe from this post (simply substituting fresh lime juice for lemon and adding ¼ cup/60 ml of fragrant orange blossom water), was a particular favorite. We also served a soothing fruity herbal tea and, of course, classic Earl Grey tea, ensuring there was a beverage to suit every preference.
Baking with Joy: Amelia’s Beautiful Fruit & Flower Almond Cake
You may recall my enthusiastic young baking partner, Amelia, from our previous “Cooking with Kids” adventures, where we explored everything from Gluten-Free Playdough and 3-Ingredient No-Bake Cereal Bars to delightful Mini Blue Pea Flower Donuts. This summer, the lovely 15-year-old Amelia once again joined me in the kitchen, this time tackling the easy yet impressive Fruit & Flower Almond Cake for our afternoon tea. It’s a fantastic baking project for tweens and teens, allowing them to hone their skills and creativity. Plus, it’s a recipe I personally adore and turn to whenever I need a quick yet elegant cake!
Making this almond cake is a simple process, starting with carefully whisking eggs, sugar, and salt until light and fluffy. Then, oil, almond extract, and water are gently incorporated, followed by a sifted blend of almond flour, cornstarch, and baking powder. The dry ingredients are folded in with a delicate hand, ensuring the batter remains airy before being poured into a springform pan. The baking itself is relatively quick, resulting in a tender, golden sponge ready for its artistic transformation.
Once the cake has baked to golden perfection and cooled completely, it’s time for the crowning glory. A generous cloud of freshly whipped cream, subtly enhanced with a swirl of tangy Greek yogurt, forms the perfect base. This creamy canvas then awaits your artistic touch. Amelia approached the decoration with true creativity and flair.
She carefully arranged a vibrant assortment of fresh blueberries, an array of raspberries (including red, yellow, and black varieties), delicate blue borage flowers, fragrant mint leaves, and even some homemade passion fruit and raspberry pearls. The result was a stunning, edible masterpiece that was almost too beautiful to eat, almost!
The beauty of this almond cake lies in its adaptability. For another event this summer, I crafted a completely different look, showcasing the endless possibilities for decoration. This version featured quartered figs, bright red currants, sweet strawberries, juicy blueberries, more of those lovely blue borage flowers, cheerful yellow calendulas, romantic pink roses, and fresh mint leaves, with a delicate lacy dill sprig adding an unexpected touch of greenery. It was a riot of colors and textures, proving that each almond cake can be a unique work of art.
You can truly have so much fun with this cake, varying its aesthetic every time you bake it! Let your creativity flow and match the decoration to the season, the specific event, or simply what beautiful produce and blooms you have readily available. Consider your guests’ favorite fruits or flowers to add a personal touch. For a more formal presentation, try decorating the almond cake using fruits and edible flowers that adhere to a single shade or color palette, creating an elegant and cohesive look. If you prefer a fun and casual vibe, feel free to use any combination of fresh berries, beautifully sliced stone fruits, exotic tropical fruits, or even well-drained canned fruit or candied fruits (which are particularly lovely during the colder winter months). And don’t forget the power of edible flowers (flowering herbs like chive blossoms are also incredibly pretty!) and fresh herbs such as mint, thyme, basil, or dill to add fragrance and visual appeal. The possibilities are truly endless!
More Afternoon Tea Ideas for Endless Inspiration
An Afternoon Tea party or picnic is more than just a meal; it’s a delightful tradition, a wonderful way to treat yourself and your friends to some cherished time together, creating lasting memories. Whether you’re planning a grand celebration or an intimate gathering, the elegance and charm of an afternoon tea never fail to impress. For even more inspiration and practical tips on hosting your own memorable tea parties, explore some of our other delightful tea-themed gatherings and brunches:
- Gluten-Free Victoria Sponge Cake and a Lovely Summer Afternoon Tea Picnic: Discover how to master a classic with a gluten-free twist, perfect for sunny days.
- Coronation Chicken Salad Sandwiches and a Perfect Afternoon Tea Picnic: Learn the secrets to these iconic savory bites, ideal for any elegant spread.
- Butter Pecan Bars and a Glowing Afternoon Tea Picnic in the Orchard: Find out how to create a rustic, autumnal tea experience with delectable nutty treats.
- Raspberry Meringue Kisses and a Dreamy Blue & White Afternoon Tea Picnic: Dive into a world of delicate desserts and a beautifully themed color palette.
- Cheesecake Cupcakes and a Festive Christmas Brunch: Get ideas for a celebratory winter gathering with crowd-pleasing individual desserts.
- Bacon-Wrapped Dates and a Moody Magic Afternoon Tea Party: Explore a more sophisticated, enchanting theme with unique savory and sweet pairings.
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Guten Appetit!
Fruit & Flower Almond Cake
Margaret Bose Johnson
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Equipment
- a 10-inch (25 or 26 cm) springform pan
Ingredients
- 3 large eggs
- ½ cup (100 g) sugar
- ⅛ teaspoon fine sea salt
- 2 tablespoons neutral oil
- ¼ teaspoon pure almond extract
- ¼ cup (60 ml) water
- ⅔ cup (70 g) finely ground almond flour
- ¼ cup corn starch
- 1 teaspoon baking powder (gluten-free, if necessary)
topping:
- 1 cup (240 ml) whipping cream (minimum 33% milk fat)
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- ⅓ cup (80 g) Greek yogurt
- ½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- assorted fresh, seasonal fruits, berries, herbs, and edible flowers
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375℉ (190℃). Generously butter a 10-inch springform pan and then dust the inside with corn starch, tapping out any excess powder to create a non-stick surface.
- In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, combine the eggs, sugar, and salt. Whip on high speed for a full 8-10 minutes until the mixture is dramatically expanded in volume, becoming very light, fluffy, and pale in color. This step is crucial for the cake’s airy texture.
- Reduce the mixer speed to low. Add the neutral oil and almond extract, beating until just incorporated. Next, gradually add the water and beat again until it is well combined into the batter.
- In a separate bowl, sift together the almond flour, cornstarch, and baking powder. Gently sift this dry mixture over the whipped egg batter. Make sure to add any remaining coarse crumbs of almond flour from the sieve into the bowl. Carefully fold the combined flours into the eggs using a spatula, working gently until just combined to maintain the airy texture.
- Pour the delicate batter into the prepared springform pan. Gently shake the pan or lightly tap it on the counter a few times to evenly distribute the batter.
- Bake for 18-22 minutes, or until the top of the cake is golden and springs back lightly when gently touched in the center. Avoid overbaking to keep the cake moist.
- Allow the cake to cool in the pan for 5 minutes. Then, carefully remove the sides of the springform pan. Place a cooling rack on top of the cake and, holding both the rack and the bottom of the pan securely, invert the cake onto the rack. Gently remove the bottom of the springform pan and let the cake cool completely. Don’t be alarmed if the cake slumps slightly and pulls away from the sides as it cools – this contributes to its charming, casual appearance.
- While the cake cools, prepare the topping. In a clean stand mixer bowl with a whisk attachment, whip the whipping cream and sugar until it reaches almost soft peaks. Fold in the Greek yogurt and pure vanilla extract, then whip for just a few more seconds until the mixture reaches soft, luscious peaks. Be careful not to over-whip.
- Once the cake is fully cooled, carefully invert it back so it is right-side-up on your chosen serving plate. Spread or pipe the prepared yogurt whipped cream generously over the top of the cake. Now for the fun part: decorate the top creatively with your assortment of fresh, seasonal fruits, berries, edible flowers, and herbs, arranging them in a visually pleasing manner.
- Serve this beautiful Fruit & Flower Almond Cake immediately, or if preferred, chill it uncovered in the refrigerator for several hours before serving to allow the flavors to meld beautifully.
Notes
This recipe is designed for a 10-inch (25 or 26 cm) springform pan, which provides a lovely large surface area for elaborate decoration. If you opt to use a smaller pan, the cake will be taller and will require approximately 5 minutes more baking time. Additionally, a smaller cake will naturally need less whipped cream and fewer fruits for decoration. Adjust accordingly for your preferred pan size.