“As for rosemary, I let it run all over my garden walls, not only because my bees love it but because it is the herb sacred to remembrance and to friendship, whence a sprig of it hath a dumb language.”
Sir Thomas More
Maria over on The Goddess Kitchen suggested members of The Pantry bake a Rosemary Remembrance Cake from Feast: Food That Celebrates Life
I was very unsure about the inclusion of rosemary in a cake, worried it may taste almost soapy, but decided to take the plunge and try it – I know Pi would have done 
I’m so pleasantly surprised, there is a subtle rosemary hint, but in amongst an almost Madeira like buttery sponge it is fragrant and exciting. I got some mmm’s and oooh’s but nobody guessed the rosemary was there; everyone did however love the cake.
The inclusion of the stewed apples makes for an incredibly moist, almost dessert like cake, it would be gorgeous served with hot custard, in fact I may do just that this evening; it is certainly cold enough, shiver.
I baked the cake in mini cardboard loaf tins and one round one, of which the loaf tins I’d bought from Lakeland and the round tin was a gift from the lovely Francesca.
As I had enough mixture for three cake tins I decided to vary the toppings a wee bit, Nigella suggests a sprig of rosemary down the centre of the cake, so that it’s delightful oils can escape and flavour the cake, with a scant scattering of sugar to give the cake a slight crunch. I went ahead and followed the trend using this for one of the cakes but topped the other loaf tin with a tablespoon of za’atar and a little extra sumac and for the round cake I scattered with dried rose petals before baking.
The scent coming from the oven was just amazing, I wish you could have smelly vision! 
{ 10 comments… read them below or add one }
Ooh, I didn’t realise the remembrance cake contains apples, I’m tempted to try it now.
All of yours look gorgeous George!
I have never tried this cake George, but I am tempted…love the idea of adding za’atar. yum.
The subtle sparkle of sugar looks lovely on your cakes KG. I don’t think I will look at the Rosemary Cake again without thiking of Pistachio.
I must try this cake now everyone has had such success with it. Pi would be thrilled at everyone’s efforts.
Your cakes look delicious.
I love rosemary and have looked at this so many times and then not made it, never got as far as reading to the apple part of the recipe.
Such a touching tribute to your friend!
The certainly look fantastic! Would’ve loved to see it cut in slices!
My condolences, to your friend.
Lovely Bread George, I have to tell you when I heard Pistachio, only think in her, I hope to made a dessert with pistachios thinking in her. lovely woman, Gloria
Sorry to hear about your friend.
Lovely looking bread! You did great!
A lovely tribute to Pi, she’d have been chuffed I’m sure
A lovely tribute to Pi, George. Looks gorgeous !
Rosie x