Uncle Iroh’s Spirit Cake | Legend of Korra Inspired Recipes
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Uncle Iroh was one of the first fortunate few invited to live in the Spirit World post-death, so it was only appropriate when Korra and Jinora went to the spirit world that they would encounter him. Though it was just the child-like Korra at Iroh’s tea party, the teapot she collected there once held Raava and might have actually helped her to defeat Unalaq.
I know I wasn’t the only one who squealed with delight when Iroh first walked on the screen – and to find a large part of an episode devoted to him mentoring baby Korra…I was just overwhelmed with happiness.
Of course, one thing that always resonated with me in the beautiful scene with Iroh was the Spirit food the spirits were eating – especially the large white cake topped with fruits right in the center.
Had my food blog existed as it does today when Korra first aired, I certainly would have made this recipe on the spot (while continuously rewatching the episode over and over again).
Start by creaming together the butter, eggs, and sugar, then gently fold into the flour mixture.
When the batter is completely smooth with very few chunks, pour the cake into two greased circular cake pans.
Bake the cakes until golden brown on top. While I waited for my cakes to cool, I tried some baked fish inspired by Korra’s first day in Republic City.
Tip the cakes out onto a cooling rack to cool completely, then level the top of one of the cakes.
As the cakes finish cooling completely (can you tell it’s important to cool the cakes all the way?) make the whipped cream icing. Whip together the heavy cream, vanilla and powdered sugar until a thick icing forms. It should be a bit thicker than toothpaste and hold its shape on a spoon.
Spread the icing onto the top of the leveled cake to almost the edges.
Place the second cake, bottom side down, on top of the other cake. Finish icing the top and sides until the cake is completely covered in icing.
Arrange some fresh strawberries, blueberries, and kiwi on the top of the cake. I served mine with jasmine tea and chocolate tea cakes, in true Uncle Iroh style.
Out of all of the places explored by the Gaang and Team Avatar, I definitely think the spirit world is the one place I’d want to travel to the most. I guess as a non-bender like Asami, there is a certain appeal to living in a magical world…though we all know vacations in the Spirit World with an Avatar pretty much equal Korrasami (and I’m okay with that).
Even though Korra must fight a giant Unalaq-Vaatu after dining with Iroh, I’d like to think that the strength she gathered from his warm embrace and delicious food helped her defeat UnaVaatu and save Republic City (and also, you know, the world).
So serve your cake to your favorite spirit guides, friends, and Avatar!
Uncle Iroh’s Spirit Cake | Legend of Korra Inspired Recipes
Equipment
Ingredients
FOR CAKE:
- 2 cups flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 ¼ cup sugar
- 8 tablespoons butter room temperature
- 3 eggs room temperature
- 1 cup milk room temperature
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- ¼ teaspoon salt
FOR ICING:
- 8 oz cream cheese room temperature
- ½ cup sugar
- 3 cups powdered sugar
- 2 cups heavy whipping cream
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- ¼ teaspoon salt
FOR FRUIT TOPPING:
- 6 fresh strawberries sliced
- 2 kiwis peeled & sliced
- 10-20 blueberries
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 F. Grease two 9-inch circular baking pans.
- In a medium sized bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. In a separate bowl, beat together the eggs, sugar, vanilla and butter until creamy.
- Fold the wet and dry ingredients together, then slowly add the milk while stirring until the ingredients are completely incorporated.
- Pour the cake batter into the greased pans. Bake for 25-35 minutes or until golden brown on top and the center springs back when gently pressed on with a wooden spoon.
- Let the cakes cool in their pans for about 10 minutes, then tip the cakes out onto a cooling rack to cool completely. Level the top of one of the cakes.
- When the cakes are cooled, in a small bowl whip together the heavy whipping cream until light and fluffy, while adding the white sugar. Then stir in the cream cheese until a smooth icing forms. Add the vanilla and salt, then slowly add the powdered sugar, 1/4 cup at a time, stirring while adding until a thick frosting forms. Frosting should hold its form on a spoon.
- Spread half of the frosting on top of the leveled cake and spread the icing to the edges. Place the second cake on top of that then finish covering the cakes in icing.
- Arrange fresh strawberries, blueberries, and kiwis on the cake. Serve alongside jasmine tea with your closest spirit friends. Enjoy!
