BUCKINGHAM PALACE GARDEN PARTY in 1970 . . . and Sesame Seed Cake

Every year or so, all Canadian Foreign Service Officers receive an invitation to one of the Queen’s Garden Parties. 

I still remember the thrill of being in a procession of black London cabs driving through the black and gold palace gates. 

Inside the palace we were ushered along long red corridors into a vast inner courtyard with four cordoned circles.  Within each circle was one of the Royal Family and several aides.

The Queen, all in white (including shoes and purse) set off by a sparkling diamond brooch, was in one circle.  Princess Anne, in a green mini-skirted dress, looked very young and pretty in another circle. 

I would have gravitated toward one of those rings or Prince Charles's.

 

My friends pulled me along to Prince Philip’s circle.   His aide was busy scrutinizing the guests to select individuals to present to His Highness, and he came over to ask who we were.  My friend’s husband responded eagerly but we failed to impress and the aide moved on.

Off to the side, along a wall, was a tent from which one could obtain refreshments, but I don’t recall taking anything except a cup of tea.

Was it fun?  Maybe a little for us, but just imagine the royal family’s relief when it was over. 

                                                                        ****

Here is a cake that would please any Garden Party guest:  

SESAME SEED CAKE

            From THE SPICE COOKBOOK by Avanelle Day and Lillie Stuckey

2 cups sifted all purpose flour

½ tsp salt

2 tsp baking powder

½ cup sesame seeds (sautéed in 1 ½ tablespoons butter):  divided

1 cup sugar

1 tsp vanilla

½ cup soft butter

2 large eggs

1 cup milk

*Melt 1 ½ tbsp. butter in a skillet.  Add ½ cup sesame seeds.  Stir over moderate heat until golden.

*Grease well and flour a 9 inch square cake pan.

*Start oven preheating to 350.

*Sift flour, salt, and baking powder together.

* Add ¼ cup of the sautéed sesame seeds and set aside.

*Blend sugar and vanillas with ½ cup butter.

* Beat in eggs, one at a time.

* Add flour mixture alternately with milk.

* Beat batter ½ minute.

* Turn into cake pans.

* Bake 35 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean.

* Cool in pan 5 minutes.

* Turn onto wire rack to finish cooling.

* Spread top and sides with Sesame Seed Frosting and sprinkle with an additional tablespoon of sautéed sesame seed.

SESAME SEED FROSTING

2 tbsp butter

1 1/3 cups icing sugar

about 2 tsp milk

½ tsp vanilla

3 tbsp sautéed sesame seeds

*Heat butter until golden.

*Remove from heat and stir in sugar and enough milk to make frosting the right consistency.

*Add vanilla and sesame seed.

The birthday girl loves this cake !  When I make it again, sometime, I will include a picture.  (It's not the one in the pictures above.)