Rustic Sage Cake with Homemade Vanilla Ice Cream
A couple weeks ago I wrote about my container herb garden and since then my plants have more than doubled in size. The strawberry plant is humongous, as are the oregano and rosemary plants growing beside it. And my sage plant? Well, just look at the photo below. One sage leaf is nearly as big as the length of my hand! It’s incredible what a little late springtime rain and sunshine will do.
With succulent sage leaves growing right outside my window I couldn’t resist the temptation to make a little magic in the kitchen yesterday. At Zoë’s suggestion, I made a honey-sage ice cream that I hope to share with you in a couple weeks. Then I made a rustic sage cake, flavored with whole milk steeped with seven large sage leaves and decorated with an equal number of baby leaves.
This is an easy cake with just the right amount of sweetness and the slight peppery undertone of sage. I sampled my first slice around 1:00AM (because that’s when it came out of the oven and come on, what baker can resist tasting the fruits of her labor, regardless of the hour?) then enjoyed another slice around 10:00AM today, this time with a freshly brewed cup of coffee and a scoop of David’s luscious vanilla ice cream. What can I say, my ice cream maker has been busy lately. You should see my freezer, all stocked with vanilla ice cream, lavender ice cream and chai ice cream. Which is how it should be in summertime right? 
Hope you had a lovely long weekend!
Rustic Sage Cake
Adapted from this recipe at How Stuff Works
Helpful Tip: Since this recipe calls for egg yolks only, freeze the individual whites in an ice cube tray, then transfer them to a Ziploc bag for easy storage. Next time you want to make a recipe that calls for whites you’ll already have some on hand!
- 14 fresh sage leaves (7 large leaves for steeping and 7 baby leaves for decoration)
- 2/3 cup whole milk
- 4 egg yolks
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 2 cups cake flour
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 8 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F. Grease a 9-inch round, springform cake pan with PAM or another baking spray.
In small saucer combine the milk and 7 large sage leaves, torn into thirds. Warm over medium heat until the milk is very hot. Set aside to steep for 15 minutes.
While the milk is steeping, sift the cake flour and baking powder into a large mixing bowl. Add the salt, mixing well with a whisk.
In a small bowl combine the yolks, sugar, olive oil and vanilla.
Strain the milk through a fine mesh sieve, then add half of the milk, and the yolk mixture, to the bowl with the cake flour, stirring to combine. Add the remaining milk, mixing well.
Pour the batter into the prepared springform pan and decoratively arrange seven small sage leaves on top of the batter. Bake for about 30 minutes, until the cake is lightly golden and starts to pull away from the edges of the pan.
Cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then run a butter knife around the edges and remove the sides of the pan. Serve warm or at room temperature, with vanilla ice cream if you like.
Vanilla Ice Cream
I used David Lebovitz’s recipe to make the ice cream shown above. You can find his recipe here.
28 Responses to “Rustic Sage Cake with Homemade Vanilla Ice Cream”
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I’ll have to give this a try, I have so much sage in the garden and very few recipes for it (that aren’t related to Thanksgiving).
Any suggestions for pic nic food?
Kristi´s last blog post -> The New Garden Villain
From recipes on my blog or in general?
That looks so good. I love that the recipe calls for fresh sage leaves. I will have to try your sage cake.
Thanks
Debbie
Delicious
I had not heard of a sage cake, but now am intrigued. Will have to try this one.
I love homemade ice cream! I don’t currently have an ice cream maker but I’m working on getting one…once I do you can bet my freezer will be as full as yours!
Hayley´s last blog post -> graduation party cake
Your sage is incredible! You have quite a green thumb with those herbs. I’ve never thought of putting sage in a cake, so now I’m going to have to try this!
I would have never thought to put sage leaves in a cake, but what an amazing idea! You must have some green thumb.
maris´s last blog post -> Worknight Dinners: Feta-Stuffed Turkey Burgers
That sounds delightful! Sage has such a savory flavor, but I’ll bet it make a wonderful rustic cake. And homemade ice cream…delicious.
Erica from Cooking for Seven´s last blog post -> Date Bread
An interesting cake! I bet it tastes wonderful!
Cheers,
Rosa
It looks fantastic!
That must be the biggest sage leaf I’ve ever seen! I’ve never tried a sage cake. Will definitely add to the to-bake list. And I do love David Lebovitz ice creams! K x
Oh, the perils of eternal summer in south Florida–my sage plant drowned this weekend after the deluge of the beginning of rainy season…
I still have thyme and tarragon–do i have thyme for cake?? hahahah, sorry, couldn’t resist.
looks tasty though and perhaps I can coax a sage plant to life for honey-sage ice cream!! that sounds amazing–do share please
This looks so yummy!
Jendeis´s last blog post -> Hurry Up and Wait
Those are some beautiful sage leaves.
Never had a sage cake, I am sure I would enjoy it, especially with some ice cream on the side!
Maria´s last blog post -> Chocolate Cookies with Peanut Buter Chips
The sage is so big! You have inspired me to start up the ice cream maker!
Hmmm…I bet this is interesting. Looks like your normal shortcake and ice cream, but I bet that sage lends it a fresh taste!
Claire´s last blog post -> Dr. Claire
This goes in my to do list for tom…..yummmmm.
Seema´s last blog post -> Special Designer Sale!!!!
I really want to make ice cream, but I have to hold off. There is just no way my hubby and I could eat it all between now and Thursday (moving so soon!).
I love the Perfect Scoop, which has become my go to book for ice cream recipes, except for pumpkin which I go and double check the Ben & Jerry’s ice cream cookbook.
Seanna Lea´s last blog post -> packing minion takes a break
I will now have to find some fresh sage, and try this cake. It sounds great, and I love cakes with herbs.
milgwimper´s last blog post -> Wrap Up of New years…
wow, i like the sounds of this
ttfn300´s last blog post -> The root of my desire?
what a wonderful combination — the cake and ice cream.
Paz
Paz´s last blog post -> Sezz Medi´
I am trying hard to imagine the taste of sage in a cake. I may just have to make it!
I am trying hard to imagine the taste of sage in a cake. I may just have to make it!
i have never heard of a sage cake, sounds interesting.
I’m so intrigued with sage leaves in a cake. Very interesting. I will definitely make it soon since I love cakes with unusual ingredients.
I just love the idea of using sage in a dessert–very inspiring!
Wow, that sage leaf was HUGE! So impressive. This cake sounds fabulous. Not too sweet; perfect for afternoon tea. I love that you steeped the sage in the milk before using it. What a fabulously flavorful idea!
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