Brown Butter and Vanilla Bean~ Weekend Cake| TWD
I would like to share a slice of Brown Butter and Vanilla Bean Weekend Cake with you but there’s none to be had, it was that good. I am not sure how this can be called a weekend cake, I might aptly rename it the 12 hour, if we are lucky, cake. Because that’s how long it lasted in our home before it disappeared.
- Buttered loaf pan awaiting a dusting of flour
The texture of this Brown Butter and Vanilla Bean Weekend Cake reminded me of my grandmother’s pound cakes I devoured as a child. The stand out difference between the two is Dorie’s addition of vanilla beans, pure vanilla extract and dark rum. These ingredients are an intoxicating combination that had my family sneaking in for just one more paper-thin slice.
One hour into the life of the Brown Butter & Vanilla Bean Weekend Cake
We found this cake to be the perfect après ski Sunday afternoon goûter/ snack and fitting, because it reminded me of family to be served on my Grandmother Ruth’s china with tea if you are me and bourbon if you are my husband.
Sweet Memories Through The Senses
Just today, Tuesday, my daughter asked if I would make this lovely cake again, she suggested, tomorrow. I tried to tell her about how Dorie named it a weekend cake after the French gâteaux de voyage (travel cake) and that it was far from the weekend so she would have to wait the four (well, three now) long days until the weekend and I would mix up another. I won’t mind when I do because the aroma of vanilla fills the house making it feel even more like home.
The butter (beurre noisette) is caramelized to bring out it’s nutty flavors, and I used my homemade pure vanilla extract letting it work its magic as a flavor potentiator. Complete the experience with coffee, tea or rum as recommended by Dorie as an accompaniment. I might make two next time so we can share it with friends on the ski hill and have a picnic.
Tuesdays with Dorie Greenspan and Baking Chez Moi is an open group dedicated to baking through Dorie’s latest books. If you would like to learn more about how this recipe turned out for the group you can find them here at Tuesdays with Dorie.
Happy Baking!
Rachelle @ Caramelize Life
“Making Life a Little Sweeter through Food, Travel and Community“
Home Away From Home
Caramelize Life 
Perhaps instead of a weekend cake, it should be called a ten minute cake 🙂
Looks delicious!
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Agreed Cher, this cake went so fast! Yours turned out beautifully and I do love your creativity :0). Well done!
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Very pretty cake! It really was a very good cake…I loved it best toasted with my afternoon tea!
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Hi Kathy, thank you! Yes, me too, it goes well with tea. Your cake is lovely and I like your idea of adding powdered sugar to the top, it makes it special that way.
cheers!
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Definitely make two. Although, if you’re sharing with a whole group, you might even need three! It looks great on the china 🙂
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Hello Kristin, done and done! I like your thinking three ;0). Thank you, I wanted to mix it up and it was nice to enjoy the china and remember.
All the best to you.
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It did smell delicious while baking didnt it! Yours is perfect. Sweet story about your daughter.
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Hi Peggy, I can’t wait to make it again and enjoy it through my senses ;0) and yes my daughter is awaiting somewhat patiently.
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Your cake look wonderful and I love your photos. My, what thin slices you eat, lol. I love that you used your Grandmother’s china. Very lovely.
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Hi Leah,
Thank you, I’m glad you are enjoying the photos. Yes, I realized that we keep the china for special occasions but then don’t really use them. A good friend of mine mentioned that she started using her good china for Sunday dinners so they could enjoy the history and not just have it collecting dust. I think that’s a great way to go these days now that life is so much more casual.
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Your cake looks lovely! And I like eating this cake in thin slices, so perfect with a cup of warm tea!
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Thank you Joyce, and yes thin slices are the best! 😊
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Love it…the 12 hour cake!!! That is a fitting name 🙂
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Thank you! As I type I’ve got two 12 hour cakes in the oven, a hostess gift for tonight and the other will travel to the ski hill this weekend! I just adore this cake.
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Beautiful! I’m glad you liked this as much as I did.
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Hi Karen, thank you! Yes, it was super easy to make, which I just retested when I whipped up a double batch today. Testing out the travel part this go around.
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Beautiful cake – so glad it was a hit for you! (And I’m happy you changed your security settings so I can comment now!)
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Hi Zosia, thank you. ( I had no idea until Kayte sent me a message. So happy to have your comments here). I’m enjoying baking with you! :0)
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Twelve hour cake that is cute. I am glad this was such a big hit in your house. It did smell great while baking.
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Hello Diane, thank you :0) I too, love the aroma of vanilla, just the thought of it make me want to bake something with it!
Cheers to you.
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Looks fantastic. I agree that cake barely had time to cool before it was gobbled up.
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Hi Henri P, thank you. And yes it is now a favorite in our home!
happy baking to you.
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12 hour cake – that’s pretty accurate! Love that you’re making it a truly weekend tradition at your house.
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Teresa, it went over well on the ski hill and having made two we had some a little longer than 12 hours but then again one for each day :0)
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Your cake looks great! And I agree, it’s definitely a 12 hour cake!
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Hi Margaret, thank you! Exactly… unless you hide it ;0) .
Cheers to you.
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Ours did not last the weekend either. Your cake is very pretty.
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Hi Cathleen, thank you!
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