A month or so before Diwali, households begin getting the home and kitchen in order for the festival. At my in-laws house in Delhi, Diwali preparations usually take my mother-in-law from the sweet markets of Chandni Chowk to the flower sellers in Mehrauli. The house is cleaned and tidied, lights are strung all over its façade and fireworks are stocked. Over the years, boxes of sweets have been replaced by boxes of dry fruits and nuts.
Dry fruits and nuts have a longer shelf life and a larger appeal to a population waking up to the merits of a healthier lifestyle. Now, dry fruits and nuts, healthy and more politically correct as they are, didn’t appeal much to me. They would languish and sit in their boxes, and invariably be used up in Christmas cakes. Sweets are the essence of Diwali, and I see less of them year by year. That’s quite unfortunate, considering the diversity of Mithai across the country.
Coconut barfis, doodh pedhas, kaju katli, kalakand, jalebi are just some of the sweets with which I’ve had an endless love-affair. In India, we have a saying “Mann main laddu phoota”, which refers to feeling a surge of joy. Happiness in India is synonymous with sweets!
I am most certainly the best version of myself when I have a sweet at hand. Having made naariyal-laddus (coconut and milk-based ball-shaped sweet) once before, I had an urge to bake a cake that incorporated the flavors of a classic naariyal-laddu. To take it a step further, I drizzled over a lightly flavored saffron-rose water glaze.
This laddu-in-a-cake is best had warm out of the oven, with a cup of chai at hand. Have it while you prepare your home for Diwali, plan your Diwali menu, and pencil down your shopping list. Or if you’re like me, munch through a warm slice as you dream of those kalakands, rabdis and kheer that you will soon be enjoying in a week’s time. Indulgence begets more indulgence, and Diwali is my excuse!
Coconut, Almond and Rose Water Cake with a Saffron-Rose Water Glaze
Ingredients
- For the cake:
- 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 3/4 cup grated coconut I used frozen, store-bought grated coconut
- 3/4 cup ground almonds
- 50 gm butter at room temperature
- 1/3 cup vegetable oil
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon powder
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 tsp cardamom powder
- 1 tsp rose water
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tsp apple cider vinegar can substitute with regular vinegar
- 3/4 cup milk
- For the saffron-rose-water glaze:
- 2 tsp butter
- 3 tsp granulated sugar
- a pinch of saffron
- 1 tsp rose-water
- 3 tsp milk
Instructions
- Make sure all ingredients are at room temperature, keep your butter and milk out at least an hour before you begin baking
- Prepare a loaf pan by greasing it with butter and dusting it with flour. I used a 8"x4"x3" loaf pan
- Start by adding the vinegar to the milk, stir it and let this sit for at least 5 minutes. This forms buttermilk, which will be used as a substitute for eggs
- While the buttermilk is resting, sift together the all-purpose flour, baking powder and baking soda in a large mixing bowl
- In a separate bowl, add the ground almond and grated coconut, butter and oil. Mix this using a hand-held mixture or a whisk on medium speed until the ingredients are just combined
- Add in the cinnamon powder, vanilla extract, cardamom powder, rose water and the sugars.
- Mix again to incorporate.
- Add in the buttermilk and the flour mixture (made in the first step) gradually, in batches.
- Mix together until well incorporated.
- Turn the batter out into the prepared loaf pan, and bake at 180C (350F) for 20 mins, or untill a skewer that you insert inside comes out clean.
- Cool the cake in a baking rack and drizzle over the glaze.
- To Prepare the Saffron-Rose-water glaze:
- Start by heating the butter and sugar in a saucepan on low heat.
- Keep stirring and add the milk once the sugar melts.
- Add the rose water and saffron and cook for another minute, stirring continuously.
- Drizzle the glaze over the cake while the glaze is still warm. It hardens as it sets.
Hi! I used fresh grated coconut (after squeezing out the milk/water) and the cake turned out extremely soft. Am I doing something wrong? Should I be using store bought shredded coconut?
hi, was there too much liquid content in the coconut? Perhaps you could try using desiccated coconut. That will take care of the excess moisture
Hi Shinta ,
Can I use eggs in this receipe? Would replacing milk+ vinegar with 2 eggs be ok ?
Hi Gauri, yes please go ahead with 2 eggs, this is the ideal amount for a loaf cake. Do let me know if you try it out!
Sounds delicious! I didn't even know they sold frozen coconut. I'm curious to learn more about Diwali!
Glad you stopped by! Frozen grated coconut is available in Indian stores in Switzerland. Diwali is really special, and the sweets are legendary!
Oh my goodness this looks and sounds absolutely delicious! I need to try it. And I think we will be friends based on my favorite line "I am most certainly the best version of myself when I have a sweet at hand." I feel the same way. Accompanied by tea or coffee. Gorgeous cake!
Thank you so much Kate! I find a nice slice of rich cake and a cup of tea come together to create magic and most definitely have therapeutic properties. So glad you liked this recipe. Do give it a try !
Frozen coconut can we use fresh or dried coconut powder and almond should be coarse or powdered
Hi Soni, I would suggest use fresh grated coconut not dried, as the cake should be a little moist, and the texture of coconut should be present. Almond you can use either coarsely ground or powdered, depending on your preference. I prefer coarsely ground, again for the texture.
This does indeed look incredibly decadent Shinta! I wonder if I could make it gluten-free with an all-purpose GF flour blend instead. Enjoy!
Thank you Rachael! Wouldn't that be something! I'm looking for ways to reduce gluten in our diet, and GF flour as a substitute is a great idea