I know you will be as shocked as I to discover that my invitation to the most anticipated royal event in recent history, never arrived. I was forced to watch the festivities with the rest of the public via the television *gasp.* Absurd is most definitely the word my dears.
Wasn’t the wedding spectacular? Kate’s dress was just beautiful. Way to go girl, good choice!!! It was a little staid for an Alexander McQueen, but then again, I guess it would have to be for a royal wedding. McQueen designs tend to be much more powerful and cutting edge, but I think the dress was perfect for Kate, because it really reflected her style of understated elegance. I particularly loved the bodice and the sheer sleeves. It was so reminiscent of Grace Kelly, don’t you think? But if you want to know what I thought was the best part of her ensemble was, I’d definitely have to say it had Kate’s big beautiful smile.
I am not a particularly emotional person. I didn’t feel any overwhelming emotion during the wedding ceremony, or when Prince William kissed Kate on the balcony. There was, however, a part which did give me a bit of a lump in my throat: the part when Kate got into the car with her dad on the way to Westminster Abbey. The cameras didn’t have the full view of the bride at that moment. She was wearing her veil, but her hopeful smile was bright and visible through the fabric. It reminded me of how I felt when I was getting married: happy, filled with love, but also nervous and uncertain. I knew that life as I knew it would never be the same. It was a very poignant moment for me, and for that fleeting instance, I felt a connection with a girl whom I have nothing in common with, and will never meet. The pageantry, the opulence, and the fairy tale stories of prince and princesses, as I get older those things have less and less meaning to me, but the simple hopefulness of a young girl jumping into her future, can make me pretty sentimental. I was moved, and for a second, I actually put my cake down *shock horror*.
In my last post I was discussing my disappointment concerning the chosen flavours of wedding cakes. Today, I present to you what I think would have made a stupendous alternative flavour: grapefruit and rose. I discovered this magical combination while visiting A Bowl Full of Mush. I have slightly adapted the recipe, and instead of one big loaf cake, I have made little baby cakes. The sweet floral element of the rose combines beautifully with the tangy, slightly bitter grapefruit. I’d describe it as sweet and sassy, but delicate and romantic. If only they had asked for my input when choosing their cakes, no?
Here’s to wishing William and Kate lots of happiness in their life together!
Alright my daaaaahlings, the wedding is over. I am experiencing a wave of emotional diarrhoea now, and it is quite unpleasant. I’ve had enough. Put away the party favours. It was fabulous and all, but now it is time to get back to real life. Time to focus on what matters most: MOI.
p.s. Oh, and by the way, I know John Galliano is most definitely in the dog house right now, but I’d totally wear Dior for my wedding dress. It would be a confection of mind blowing fabulosity. Lucky for Kate, she can breathe a sigh of relief that I will not outshine her, because I am already married 
.
Pink Grapefruit and Rose Cake
(makes 1 loaf or 12 cupcakes)
- 1/4 cup butter (56g)
- 1/4 cup canola oil
- 2 tablespoons pink grapefruit zest (approx one large grapefruit)
- 4 tablespoons rose water
- 3/4 cup sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 eggs
- 1+1/2 cups all purpose flour
- 2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 3/4 cup buttermilk
For the syrup:
- 4 tablespoons freshly squeezed pink grapefruit juice
- 1+1/2 teaspoons rose water
- 1/2 cup confectioners sugar
Preheat oven to 350F. Line cupcake tin with 12 cupcake liners.
In a large bowl, using a whisk or stand mixer, cream together the butter, oil, sugar, grapefruit zest, rose water, and vanilla extract until smooth. Once combined, whisk in the eggs. Next, sift in the flour and baking powder and salt, mix well. Then add the buttermilk and whisk until smooth.
Distribute the cake batter to the cupcake liners and bake at 350F 25-30 minutes until golden, spongy and set, or until a tester comes out clean.
While the cake is in the oven, make the syrup in a bowl by mixing the grapefruit juice, rose water and confectioners sugar together until smooth. Set aside.
Allow cupcakes to cool for 10 minutes. Then puncture cupcakes with a tooth pick and then pour over the grapefruit-rose sugar syrup. The cakes will absorb the liquid. Decorate with rose petals if you wish.
I’m hosting a contest! I’d love for you to enter!
I LOVED watching the royal wedding – I think I must have watched it 10 times while they replayed it over and over again on all the networks! Kate’s dress was gorgeous, definitely Grace Kelly-inspired, but I was a bit disappointed because I was hoping that she would do something more fashion-forward, especially since her choice is going to spawn a million copycat versions.
I’ve never had a pink grapefruit flavored cake but it’s one of my favorite flavors so I will definitely try this recipe.
I was surprised at the simplicity of the dress since it was a McQueen, but I did love the similarity to Grace Kelly’s. And, hooray for Kate for getting William’s full name out correctly. Grapefruit and rose sounds like a fantastic combination. This, I need to try!
I found Kate’s dress too elegant.She carried her self well but I just thought that she oversmiled throughtout? I wish at the end of it her cheeks didnt hurt much
These cupcakes look gorgeous.Anything rose- I m in.
Then you can tell me about one of your brilliant adventures with Mr. P in the summer!
Your cake version is so much better without a doubt! I did not actually get to watch, but I have seen a few clips here and there…
yes the dress was stunning
I had so much fun watching the wedding! And I agree 100% with your comments on the dress – just beautiful! As for the cake, well, as long as I can have your lovely pink grapefruit version, I don’t care what William ate!
Dear HH – I LOVED watching the wedding and infact made all my boys watch it with me including my hubby. I claim it is their punsihment for being sons and not daughters
Right you are – we’ll never meet Kate, we live in parallel universes and still nothing stops me from wishing them well!
Your post is wonderful and the fact that you mix grapefruit and roses makes me want to kiss you. This is no wedding but I have some news to share so please visit and help me get the word out, will ya?
hugs & kisses,
Devaki @ weavethousandflavors
She looked stunning indeed and you are so right…her smile was the best part, truly an elegant woman.
I couldn’t help but notice how well behaved everyone was, perhaps we’re just a bunch of animals here in the states but my jaw dropped watching everyone walking towards the palace in a slow and orderly fashion…very impressive. I do believe people here would be pushing each other the way to get to the front.. How sad to be impressed with proper manners…sigh! LOL
Your cake looks and sounds divine!
xoxo
Karyn
I LOVED the royal wedding. I also love your blog (just found it!)
xo,
Mini Baker
The combination of grapefruit with roses sounds very unique and the cupcakes surely are delicious.
Loved the dress too and she looks gorgeous in it! Well, I guess a fruit cake is the most traditional and safest choice for the royal wedding. Your combination sounds amazing!
I love this post
I was up at 2 AM watching the wedding before I hopped on a bus to Seattle with 48 women all wearing tiaras. I loved her dress and wouldn’t we like to be a fly on the wall at the after parties:D
I agree – her dress was beautiful if not a bit understated but perfect for the venue! I’d kill for that tiara though – that’s for sure:) The flavor combination of grapefruit and rose sounds positively divine! I’ve never had that before and look forward to trying it. Thanks for sharing yet another fabulous recipe:)
It was fun to watch this event, especially that I just got married myself
I loved the simplicity and elegance of the dress, and how calm and compose Kate was.
So how did it taste? I love the elegant simplicity and the combination of flavours have to be experienced, so this is definitely on “the list” – but, how DID it taste?
Valerie