Chinese American Easter Cake

Ingredients

While the original Mona de Pasqua is a Spanish Easter cake typically made with almond flour and flavored with citrus zest, this Chinese American adaptation incorporates elements of Chinese American cuisine. The cake is infused with almond and citrus flavors, but also features a cream cheese frosting, which is a popular ingredient in Chinese American desserts. The garnish of fresh fruits adds a vibrant touch, reflecting the use of fresh ingredients commonly found in Chinese American cuisine. We alse have the original recipe for Mona de Pasqua, so you can check it out.

• 2 cups (240g) all-purpose flour 2 cups (240g) all-purpose flour
• 1 cup (200g) granulated sugar 1 cup (200g) granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon baking powder 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup (120ml) vegetable oil 1/2 cup (120ml) vegetable oil
• 1/2 cup (120ml) almond milk 1/2 cup (120ml) almond milk
• 1/4 cup (60ml) freshly squeezed orange juice 1/4 cup (60ml) freshly squeezed orange juice
• 2 teaspoons orange zest 2 teaspoons orange zest
• 1 teaspoon almond extract 1 teaspoon almond extract
• 3 large eggs 3 large eggs
• Cream cheese frosting: Cream cheese frosting:
• 8 oz (225g) cream cheese, softened 8 oz (225g) cream cheese, softened
• 1/2 cup (115g) unsalted butter, softened 1/2 cup (115g) unsalted butter, softened
• 4 cups (480g) powdered sugar 4 cups (480g) powdered sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• Fresh fruits and sprinkles for garnish Fresh fruits and sprinkles for garnish

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 450 kcal / 1880 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 22g, 10g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 59g, 42g
• Protein: 5g
• Fiber: 1g
• Salt: 0.4g

Preparation

1. 1.
   Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a round cake pan.
2. 2.
   In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
3. 3.
   In a separate bowl, combine the vegetable oil, almond milk, orange juice, orange zest, almond extract, and eggs. Whisk until well combined.
4. 4.
   Gradually pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and mix until just combined.
5. 5.
   Pour the batter into the prepared cake pan and smooth the top.
6. 6.
   Bake for 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
7. 7.
   Remove the cake from the oven and let it cool completely on a wire rack.
8. 8.
   In the meantime, prepare the cream cheese frosting. In a mixing bowl, beat the cream cheese and butter until creamy. Gradually add the powdered sugar and vanilla extract, beating until smooth and fluffy.
9. 9.
   Once the cake has cooled, spread the cream cheese frosting evenly over the top and sides.
10. 10.
    Garnish with fresh fruits and sprinkles.
11. 11.
    Serve and enjoy!

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Almond extract — If you prefer a milder almond flavor, reduce the amount of almond extract to 1/2 teaspoon.
• Fresh fruits — Choose a variety of colorful fruits such as strawberries, blueberries, kiwi, and mandarin oranges for a visually appealing garnish.

Tips & Tricks

• For a citrusy twist, add a teaspoon of lemon zest to the cake batter.
• To make the cake more festive, decorate it with Easter-themed sprinkles or edible flowers.
• If you don't have almond milk, you can substitute it with regular milk or any other non-dairy milk of your choice.
• Make sure the cream cheese and butter are softened at room temperature before preparing the frosting for a smooth consistency.
• To achieve a professional-looking finish, use an offset spatula to spread the cream cheese frosting evenly.

Serving advice

Serve the Chinese American Easter Cake as a centerpiece dessert during Easter celebrations. Slice it into generous portions and accompany each slice with a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream for an extra indulgence.

Presentation advice

To enhance the presentation, place the cake on a decorative cake stand or platter. Arrange fresh fruits around the base of the cake and sprinkle some powdered sugar on top for an elegant touch.