Coconut Tea Cake

A well-mannered tea cake.  This cake is delicious and easy to make.  Dorie Greenspan calls it's purity and flavor well mannered.  I just love that.  Who knew a tea cake could be so well-mannered?  Well, I'm certainly inviting it over for tea.    

I have to share a funny story about this well-mannered cake.  It calls for rum.  I don't actually drink rum or any flavor of alcohol.  I used to, but I've changed my wicked ways.  :)  Oh, so much for the better believe me, but that's a different story entirely.  So here I am, with no rum, and my well-mannered cake to make.  After helping with a marriage ministry last Saturday, we zipped over to our local "drive in" burger joint (yes, you know the one) to feed some little hungry mouths.  (I know you are appalled!  Fast food?!, Wait!  It gets better...) As my husband began ordering food, I hopped out of the car and walked next door to the local liqueur store.  I asked for a small bottle of the Meyers Rum behind the counter, and inquired if there was an even smaller bottle?  The man behind the counter tried to convince me I would get a better deal with a bigger bottle.  No need!   So, here I come with my little bottle in a brown paper bag, getting into my mini van with my sweet little family.  Oh, my husband was having a good time watching me!  He teased me all the way back to the house.  

This cake was so delicious!  It had a nice soft tender crumb and a slightly chewy crust that was divine!  The coconut flavor was not overpowering but just right.  I had no problem getting it out of my pan.  As usual, I used palm oil and I dusted it with all purpose flour.  It worked like a charm.  Anyone like to join me for a cuppa?

Carmen picked out our delicious Coconut Tea Cake, you can find the recipe on her blog Carmen Cooks or on pages 194 and 195 of  

Baking: From My Home to Yours by Dorie Greenspan.  If you want to see other versions of this well-mannered tea cake, visit the other bloggers on the TWD Blogroll!

Blessings, Rachel