Ioana and her cakes

It’s snowing outside and we are entering bravely the first month of a new year. festive mood seems to be left behind already but we know a way to keep it around. What’s more festive than a cake? Actually, a cake and a story. A story about new the things – new year, new life, new occupations.

Meet Ioana. She is creative director at MediaBASKET, currently on maternity leave. While she is taking care of her son, Ioana tells beautiful visual stories through her Instagram profile and discovers another new love – pastry.

How did you fell for pastry?
Io: I fell in love with pastry by chance, when I went on maternity leave. I needed something to fill my free time with, because from very busy working schedule I found myself in a situation with lots of free time at home. So I decided to make a cake. It turned out great. Then I tried making another cake, with different cooking technique, just to see if I can make it. That’s how I started to look for recipes or looks of cakes I liked, and to make them. For me it’s super relaxing and at the same time it gives freedom to my imagination and creative calls. Somehow naturally came also my desire to share the results.

Why Instagram?
Io: I’ve always been a big fan of social networks, as it is also part of my job. For me, Instagram is my place to be, where I can have a visual diary. Every photo of mine brings a memory or an emotion. Initially, I decided to share them in order to come back to the content myself later, to go back to my feelings during that exact day. Behind each photo there is a story, even if it’s not written in the description.

Tell us about your cake with roses?
Io: My mom’s birthday was approaching, and I wanted to make a special cake that suits her. So I decided to decorate it with roses. Then I thought that only decoration was not enough as I wanted a really special cake. That’s how I decided to add rose flavor. At least, guests wouldn’t expect that. Turned out an awesome cake and was eaten immediately.

What is your opinion on rose flavor and what’s the palce of it in your kitchen?
Io: Rose adds an extremely interesting flavor that is immediately recognizable but at the same time it is surprising and charming. I admit, this cake was my first attempt with the rose flavor and I couldn’t even imagine what else I can do with it. I shared my thoughts when I published the photo of the cake on Instagram and I was surprised how many people have sent me recipe ideas. I got many recipes with roses from Turkish and Arab cuisine, and I am impatient to try them. I have decided to try also rose-flavored cocktails. I don’t have any experience with mixing drinks but it’s never too late to try something new.

Why do you like Rosey’s mark, do you have a favorite product of ours and which one is it?
Io: I like you first because you are following your dreams and you show how a business with a soul is made. And second, because thanks to your products many people, even outside Bulgaria, can get in touch with the symbol of Bulgaria – the oil-bearing rose. I like a lot all your products but my favorite is the white chocolate with roses. However, right now I am so much into the rose water for cooking and its countless applications, that I don’t stop talking of it and looking for new ideas of recipes with rose water.

Besides her story, Ioana shares with us also the recipe for her cake. We know it’s tested, so we can directly put it in the ‘Favorite’ recipes section.

Cake with rose water

For the cake:
4 eggs
200 g sugar
1 sachet/pinch/ vanilla powder
300 g flour
1 sachet/pinch/ baking powder
200 ml water
100 ml sunflower oil
100 ml olive oil
1-2 table spoons rose water for cooking

+ 2-3 tea spoons rose water to syrup the cake bake

For the cream:
250 g mascarpone
300 ml pastry cream
2 table spoons powdered sugar

Preparation method:

1. Stir the eggs with the sugar and vanilla till you get fluffy cream.
2. In a separate bowl, dilute 1-2 table spoons of rose water for cooking in 200 ml of water. The amount of rose water may vary according to your preferances on how strong the rose flavor is.
3. Add the sunflower oil and the olive oil to the water and mix it with the egg mixture, stirring.
4. Finally add the sifted flour and the baking powder. Stir till it’s all homogeneous.
5. Pour the dough in a baking ring and bake in pre-heated oven at 180°.
6. Cut the ready baked cake horizontally in two equal parts.
7. To make the cream stir the mascarpone cheese with the powdered sugar.
8. In a separate bowl, stir the pastry cream and add the mascarpone, stirring.
9. Syrup the first cake layer with rose water. Spread a layer of cream on top and add the second cake layer. Syrup it, too.
10. Spread  and even the rest of the cream on top and on the sides of the cake.

You can decorate the cake with fresh rose flowers or dried rose petals.

What we left for the end of this post are our best wishes for a year full of festive occasions. And don’t miss to share a photo of your cake with roses on Instagram with us, and also with Ioana.