Sweet Paris Send-Off: Coconut Layer Cake

 

Background art by French artist Laurence Pardoux

When a friend was celebrating a birthday right before leaving on a trip to Paris, I couldn’t resist surprising her with a dessert send-off soirée imbued with joie de vivre.  My soul sister Ann loves coconut (moi aussi!) so I decided to attempt my first coconut layer cake for the occasion.  You can find the recipe for this classic triple layer confection here:

http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/Coconut-Layer-Cake-102696

The coconut-covered cake was decorated with clematis “Etoile violette” flowers and showcased on a fluted crystal pedestal cake stand to give it a little je ne sais quoi.  To create a Parisian ambiance, an  Eiffel tower replica, a gift from Ann, was given center stage placement on the table with some passion flowers woven through it.  The gold-edged botanical dessert plates were placed on a purple velvet throw next to gold damask serviettes for some added French flair.   An antique metal tray holding the wine glasses was accented with a gold fleur-de-lis.   A French bronze candelabra was set on a stack of French books, a nod to the Old-World charm of Paris.  A bouquet of fresh hydrangeas from the garden completed this little dessert table vignette.   Elegant, French, et  très délicieux!  Bon voyage!

“Paris is always a good idea.”  Audrey Hepburn in Sabrina