I made this simple and elegant (not to mention easy) Teacake for our daughter Grace recently. We enjoyed this on an evening when she took my breath away. It is now a cake I think of with immense love as the memory that goes with it is very special to me.

Grace made her confirmation recently. We celebrated simply with a cheeseboard and this Teacake, afterwards back at home with our extended family and and another family, not related by blood but very much a big and much loved part of our family circle. The Teacake was Grace’s choice. She said she wanted something easy and that she would like it to taste ‘lemon-y’ and this is what she went with.  We had such a relaxing celebration back home but the part of the evening that I will never forget is Grace walking into our family room to come and see me before we were leaving for church. I could not take my eyes off her. She looked so elegant and so comfortable in her skin. She was simply beautiful and she took my breath away.

Our three girls are growing up, quicker than I can take in. Looking at her at this moment was one of those slow motion ‘wow’ moments when you have secretly known what has happening all along but for some reason, sometimes it just has to be thrown in your face so you appreciate where it is all at…where you are at…where your kids are at and where your life is really at. It is so cliché but they grow in the blink of an eye. I am almost positive that I will grow into that elderly lady who stops a new Mum in the street with her baby to say “please enjoy this moment. They really do grow up so fast”.

Our eldest daughter is showing strong and sure signs of growing into the woman that she will become. She has a peace about her right now and is immensely happy and optimistic. She laughs a lot (and loud – she seems to only have one volume). It is quite wonderful to be around her. As a Mother of three girls, I know we are in for a hell of a ride as we embark on the teenage years pending but at this moment of breathlessness I felt that she would be okay. That it was time to let go of her hand just a little more but to always keep it outstretched and open for when it is needed. They wonder why I choke back tears whenever they watch Mamamia and Meryl Streep sings ‘Slipping through my fingers”    aaarrggghhhhh……….I know I am pathetically soft but they will get it one day.

My Sister is Grace’s godmother. Watching them together this night was magical. There is a lot of love there. My Sister wrote on Grace’s card that Grace means ‘In God’s favour’ as well elegance, loveliness, and beauty.

I am not sure I could be prouder of who she is and who she is becoming.

Grace’s lemon TeaCake

190g butter, softened
150g caster sugar
2 lemons, zested and juiced
3 free range eggs
190g plain flour, sifted
1 teaspoon baking powder
100g caster sugar (additional)
Preheat the oven to 160oC fan forced.

Line the base a loaf tin (I use a 21.5cm x 11.5cm) with baking paper and then butter and flour the sides.

Cream the butter, sugar and lemon zest, using an electric mixer, until light, pale in colour and fluffy. Add the eggs, one at a time and combine well. Add the juice of 1 lemon and gently fold through the sifted flour and baking powder.

Place the batter in the line loaf tin and bake in the preheated oven for approximately 35 minutes or until golden and a cake skewer comes out clean.

During the last few minutes of cooking time, place the additional 100g of sugar with the juice of the remaining lemon in a saucepan and stir until the sugar dissolves. Pour this over the hot cake and then allow the cake to cool completely before slicing and serving.

This cake will keep well in an airtight container for several days (but trust me, it wont make the container).