Absinthe Cake Recipe
When I told Luc-Santiago from Vert d’Absinthe here in Paris that I didn’t like anise very much (or, stupid me, how long have I lived in Paris? I should have said, “I don’t appreciate anise very much.”), I wished I had my camera cocked-and-ready, as the look on his face was priceless. While I appreciate the culture and mystique of Absinthe and its cousin pastis, I’m not a fan of anise-based drinks.
But luckily I am a fan of anise-baked anything, and do like that flavor when baked in cakes and cookies, such as biscotti and the like. I had a suspicion that a buttery cake with a healthy shot of Absinthe in the batter, then more Absinthe added as a crunchy glaze would be a success…and it was! Happily, the flavor of anise goes amazingly well with chocolate too, so feel free to pair this with a favorite Chocolate Ice Cream or a dark, slick chocolate sauce.
But it’s also lovely with a compote made of fresh or dried apricots, or a Nectarine and Cherry Compote. During the winter, I plan to make a colorful fruit salad of navel and blood oranges with a few rounds of tangy kumquats to serve alongside, since I’m suspicious of that green bottle on my shelf, with an alcohol content of 72%, may fall and explode. (Now that would have made a good opening for an episode of Six Feet Under.) But mostly I enjoy serving this Absinthe Cake all on its own and if you make it, I’m sure it won’t fail to get your guests full attention no matter how you serve it.
If you don’t have a convenient source for finely-ground pistachio meal, you can use almond meal (sometimes called almond flour). I’ve tested this cake with stone-ground cornmeal too, which provided a nice crunch, but Parisian friends found it a tad unusual since they’re not really used to desserts, or anything else, with cornmeal.
And I didn’t have any candied angelica on hand (like, who does?), but next time I make this cake, I’m definitely going to add a handful of finely-chopped angelica to the batter. I think tiny flecks of green flitting around in this cake would be rather festive and certainly in the spirit of le fée verte, aka; The Green Fairy, oui?
If you live in a country where you don’t have the freedom to get Absinthe, move. Aside from that, write a letter to your highest-ranking elected official whose job it is to protect the good of society from such ills, you can substitute an anise-scented apertif, such as Pernod, pastis, or ouzo, although they don’t have that sublime, sneaky herbaceous flavor and aroma found in true Absinthe. The other downside is that you won’t see any green fairies floating around your kitchen…which may, or may not, be a good thing…depending on which highest-ranking elected official you last voted for, I suppose.
Oops, and before I step down down from my high-horse, I do recommend that you use Rumford baking powder, or a similar brand, that doesn’t contain any aluminum. Most natural-food stores and Trader Joe’s carry aluminum-free baking powder and you’ll notice a major difference in your baking once you go aluminum-free. You’ll never miss that tinny aftertaste you get when using other brands.
| Absinthe Cake | Print Recipe |
| One 9-inch (23cm) rectangular cake |
(Note: The photo at the top was this cake, but baked in an individual-sized cake mold.)
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Looks great! I’ll see if I can wrench some Absinthe from Michael.
It is actually very easy to order absinthe via the Internet – check out the links in the earlier story or check our site. Mind you, I’m not saying it is cheap though:-( You can also buy inferior absinthe-like liquor over the border in both Canada and Mexico, but I wouldn’t recommend it.
What did you use to make that little cupcake-like cake at the top? Is that what cupcake liners look like in Europe?
As someone who spent 26 minutes in line for cupcakes yesterday at 4pm in 97 degree heat in Beverly Hills, well, I’d line up for your cakes any day!
(I can’t wait to try this recipe)
Wonderful, I’m in the middle of an anise bout so now I just have to try to find some absinthe down here! I bet it will be difficult knowing the Italian feeling for anything French but I might find the Italian equivalent (if there is any)…
I usually don’t get overly excited about cakes, but I found my thrill when you gave me some of that absinthe cake. It was seriously fantastic. You are a mad genius!
Honey? How expensive are you? If I could afford you (name your salary) you’d be my chef extraordinaire and in Summer we’d live on my Greek island and in Winter – well – you choose! Your cakes and recipes – all are just too, too, wonderful – I ‘d probably grow fat….and then you’d leave me – oh well, such has been and is ma vie (sob)
I’m lying in wait to get the absinthe my sweetheart ordered online. He hates ouzo and pastis and other anise/licorice-flavored drinks, so I think he’s going to be disgusted with his new stash. Once he is, THEN I’ll make my move, kindly accepting the remaining three of the four little bottles he’s bought. And I’ll bake. Ooh, how I’ll bake (and I just bought a pound of pistachio flour for no reason other than it was fresh and it was there…)!
Thanks, David, for the culinary inspiration brought on by la fee verte.
The glaze looks wonderful — I love crunchy sugar.
What a coincidence. The egullet heartland people are getting together in ann arbor, MI next week and someone is bringing a bottle of Absinthe. There isnt enough to go around for everyone and so someone suggested making a cake with it. I’ll pass though, I hate anything anise flavored or scented.
Working, working – Big wheel turning…
Love the idea of cooking with absinthe…brilliant
thanks for the tip about aluminium free baking powder too
I think you should take Alphonse up on the offer – a Greek island sounds like HEAVEN (especially compared to your hot rooftop apartment)!
And that sugary-glaze? Far from putting me off, that has me salivating! I think the anise flavour combined with crystallised sugar is genius. Mmmmmm….
I’m not a big fan of anything anise either… but after two weeks in the Cap Corse, I’ve grown quite fond of “La Tomate”, which is pastis, a shot (or two in my case) of grenadine, half a glass of ice cold water and lotsa ice cubes. Will go well with the absinthe cake, no?
Thank you David for the cake ! I tasted it and liked it.
However, you asked my opinion about it, so I give the opinion of an absinthe drinker who cook sometime with absinthe !
First, I didn’t sense anise nor absinthe very much and that’s because of the absinthe used : François Guy 45°. A 72° anise-y absinthe (like Absinthe Amer) could give better flavors and will resist much better to the hotness of the cooking.
It could be nice to lower the sugar content a little bit.
I ate the entire cake quickly but it was a bit over sugared.
Voila, but that is just my opinion !
Thanks again David !
Salut Luc-Santiago:
Thanks for the feedback. The Absinthe Cake I brought you was the first try (and since it was little, I didn’t want to take a bite out of it!) But when I tried the larger one I made with the same batter, I didn’t think there was enough Absinthe in there, so I increased it along with the anise seeds.
(Bakers: That’s the recipe that appears here.)
Once the temperature drops to a level where I can turn on my oven without dying, I’ll make another cake and bring it by…and we can have a glass of Absinthe too!
(Meg, some people are turned off by all that sugar, not like us hard-cores!)
Is the liquor available in the US a reasonable substitute, the Pastis or Sambucca????
“you can substitute an anise-scented apertif, such as Pernod, pastis, or ouzo…”
what?! don’t be put off by the glaze?! lol! i want to dive in.