End of year cake for teachers

[Lior]

While I am not thrilled with all of my youngest (and only one left at home) daughter's 8th grade teachers, I still thought it correct to bring a cake into the teachers' room - as some do desreve it - in mid June to wish them all a good summer holiday. I am quite capable with chocolate, any ideas of how to make a cake with perhaps a glaze/ganache etc? What shape/flavor?

Thanks!

Edited May 13, 2011 by Lior (log)

[judiu]

An open book shape, defined by icing. Apple cake with a cinnamon frosting? (Apple for the teacher...)

[SylviaLovegren]

I would make sure not to put nuts in, just in case of allergies. Otherwise, seems like whatever you enjoy making would be just dandy.

[Special K]

What a nice idea! It will be appreaciated more than you know. I like judiu's idea a lot.

[Lior]

Open book... I will look for pics to see how to make it-I like that idea! Do you know of an apple cake recipe? Perhaps white choc ganache with cinnamon as icing? No nuts-very clever-did not think of that! Thanks

[annachan]

Having worked a schools for a number of years....make something with alcohol in it!

[helenjp]

Actually early summer is when tea is harvested - and the slightly astringent but aromatic flavor is great for this time of year, when citrus is disappearing and summer fruit isn't here yet - fresh, astringent, and aromatic. Also keeps well, which is a concern with fruity cakes in summer.

Tea-flavored (good quality Earl Grey?) cake with orange or orange flower water?

Alternatively, a green tea (or matcha) cake might be refreshing and pretty?

[Lior]

now I am getting confused! Such good ideas! Alcohol,tea,citrus...apples...

I could easily do a ganache flavored with orange liqueur like grand Marnier, but then what cake would match? Perhaps a plain sponge flavored with orange? Do most folks like this flavor? Sounds nice. I looked at pictures of open book cakes and found that there are trays to make this-but I dont think I can get one here. I guess it is just cutting it into that shape.

[ChrisTaylor]

As a teacher I'd recommend a bottle of single malt inside a cake box.

[Lior]

well perhaps I should send a liqueur and little cute plastic cups along with the cake!!! Now seriously, it may be nice. What do you all teach?

Edited May 14, 2011 by Lior (log)

[Lior]

just wondering- if I carve the rectangular cake into n open book (...) there will be no cake crust to hold the poured ganache glaze. How do I do this? ANy recommendations?

[Alex]

Does "an apple for the teacher" mean anything in Israel? If there's something like that by you (maybe "an orange for the teacher?"), you could shape and color (and texture?) the cake accordingly.

[Lior]

Hi Alex. Thanks for the input! We are familiar with the teacher-apple connection, however I am not entirely sure the staff will figure out why my cake is or has an apple. Oranges will not go either as they will get that cute substitute(no pun intended). That is why the open book idea came about. I am still open to ideas as carving an open book may not be so easy... and then there is the issue I raised in my last entry.

[cookingofjoy]

It may be too late, but with ganache, what about making it a chalkboard/blackboard? Then it wouldn't require much trimming. And just white icing for the text and a couple of somethings (fondant or white choc covered something) for chalk on the bottom?

[Lior]

not too late-I have till mid June. Hmm that sounds good-dark choco for the chalkboard or white for a whiteboard... I will see if there are any pics available. Thanks!