I did not think of her much back then, since the main focus of the tour was the Palace and her Majesty.
Today, I came upon a story about Marie Antoinette, and was captivated.
I think she was unjustly punished and was judged wrongly.
She may not have been the best queen, but I believe she was a great mother.
She was condemned by gossipers without knowing her.
We often find the same scenario in our ordinary life, the difference between her and of so many of us we do something about it, unlike her, she just ignored it and cost her her life.
The phrase "Let them eat cake" was supposedly said by Marie Antoinette.
But with further research, there is no evidence that she uttered the words.
Anyhow, she inspired me to make a cake that would always remind me of her.
The icing is vanilla bean buttercream.
Since she was a queen with the love of nature I thought the simple butter cream with the elegant of vanilla bean suits her.
The cake is a white vanilla cake that is so tender and crumbly.
Just like her, she was tender and clueless of what is happening around her.
I filled the layers with a four berry jelly to represent of her heartbroken heart for her husband and children.
The icing is white with the specs of vanilla beans, for my belief that she was unjustly punished.
Ingredients for the cake:
2 3/4 cups cake flour sifted
1 2/3 fine sugar (if you don't have fine sugar just blitz regular granulated sugar in the food processor until it becomes fine and powdery)
1 tbsp. baking powder
3/4 tsp. salt
3/4 cup unsalted butter (12 tbsp.) room temperature
4 egg whites in room temperature
1 whole egg also in room temperature
1/2 cup sour cream
1/2 cup whole milk
3 tsp. vanilla (substitute 1 tsp. almond if you like; I just happen to think that almond flavoring is often too strong and overtake the flavor)
* Preheat the oven for 350F.
* Butter and flour two 8x2 cake pans and set aside.
* Sift the flour, baking soda, sugar, and salt.
* In low speed mix together the dry ingredients.
* Add the butter and mix until it forms a paste or fine damp sand.
* Add the eggs one by one and mix until incorporated
* Add the milk, sour cream and vanilla and mix until the batter is well
incorporated. Scrape the side and mix until well blended.
* Divide the batter between the 2 pans.
* Bake for 25 to 35 minutes until the toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean.
* Let the cake cool.
Using a butter knife trace the side of the cake, carefully place the cake in the cooling rack and let it cool completely before icing.
Ingredients for the Icing:
1/2 cup heavy cream
1 vanilla bean cut in half; scrape the mini black jewels out using a knife or spoon
4-6 cups confectioner sugar
1 cup unsalted butter in room temperature
1 tsp. really good vanilla
Four Berry Jelly (preferably HEB brand) optional
* In a small sauce pan combine the vanilla bean, vanilla seeds and heavy cream.
Let it warm up do not let it boil.
Turn it off and let the vanilla bean emulsify with the cream.
* Sift the confectioner sugar and set aside.
* Remove the vanilla bean and strain the cream.
* Using a stand mixer with a whisk in, combine the sugar and butter, beat until combine.
* Gradually add the cream, beat until really smooth and your desired consistency.
*Spread the top with the jelly evenly.
*Ice according to your desire.
My hubby and I at Hofburg Palace
