Balsamic Fig Jam and Almond Cake

I have discovered something really delicious. Truth be told, I didn’t even know that it had existed until my trip to Napa.

Have you ever heard of vanilla powder?  I hadn’t until we visited a spice store.  I asked for a simple vanilla bean, but was thrust into a world of a whole new way to bake.  From what I understand, it is simply a pulverized vanilla bean.  The benefits are that there is nothing added to it (like alcohols or flavorings) and that it is concentrated in flavor.  For every 1 tsp of extract, you only need 1/2 tsp of powder.

In other words…. YUM!

So then it became a debate of how was I to use it?

Do you ever open all the cupboards and the fridge door and stare until inspiration hits? That was me… blasting cold air into the kitchen because I couldn’t decide what to make.  Until I saw my jar of this.

Would this be considered a tea cake?  A coffee cake? I know it is not a dessert cake.  Don’t get me wrong… put in front of me after a nice dinner and I would eat this as a dessert.  But, I do think it is better served at a tea party with a gaggle of girlfriends bantering about silly things that make us happy.

And would you please look at the vanilla? Look at the layer of delicious fruit jam, too.  But, seriously… look at those little, precious dots of vanilla.

I promise you will be the hit of any party if you bring this cake.

I predict that your calendar will be filled with invitations to many a pot-luck after the first time you share this cake with your friends.

Balsamic Fig Jam and Almond Cake <– you know what to do!