Description
A delicate and flavorful Hibiscus Bliss Cake, perfect for springtime gatherings or a floral-inspired dessert. This moist cake features the subtle tartness of hibiscus petals combined with bright lemon zest and juice, topped with a sweet hibiscus tea glaze for an elegant finish.
Ingredients
Scale
Cake
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup unsalted butter (softened)
- ¾ cup whole milk
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 tablespoons dried hibiscus petals (ground or finely chopped)
- 1 tablespoon lemon zest
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
Glaze
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons brewed hibiscus tea (cooled)
- ½ teaspoon lemon juice
Instructions
- Preheat and prepare pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9-inch round cake pan to ensure easy removal of the cake after baking.
- Mix dry ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, and salt to ensure even distribution of leavening agents and sweetness.
- Add wet ingredients and combine: Add the softened butter, whole milk, eggs, vanilla extract, lemon zest, and lemon juice to the dry ingredients. Beat the mixture until smooth and fully combined, creating a homogeneous batter.
- Fold in hibiscus petals: Gently fold in the dried hibiscus petals, ensuring they are evenly distributed throughout the batter without overmixing, which can toughen the cake.
- Fill pan and bake: Pour the batter into the prepared cake pan and smooth the top with a spatula. Bake in the preheated oven for 30 to 35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, indicating the cake is done.
- Cool the cake: Allow the cake to cool in the pan for about 10 minutes to set. Then, transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely to room temperature before glazing.
- Prepare the glaze: In a small bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar, cooled brewed hibiscus tea, and lemon juice until smooth and pourable.
- Glaze and serve: Drizzle the hibiscus glaze over the cooled cake, letting it drip down the sides. Allow the glaze to set slightly before slicing and serving.
Notes
- You can substitute hibiscus petals with hibiscus tea leaves if dried petals are unavailable.
- For a more vibrant color and intensified floral flavor, steep the hibiscus tea longer when preparing the glaze.
- This cake pairs beautifully with a cup of tea or fresh berries for a refreshing contrast.
