Baked Fish Appetizer Cake (Printable)
Elegant savory cake with white fish, shrimp, and fresh herbs in a creamy base
# What You’ll Need:
→ Fish and Seafood
01 - 14 oz skinless white fish fillets (cod or haddock)
02 - 3.5 oz cooked shrimp, chopped
→ Dairy and Eggs
03 - 3 large eggs
04 - 0.5 cup heavy cream
05 - 0.33 cup crème fraîche or sour cream
06 - 1 oz grated Parmesan cheese
→ Vegetables and Aromatics
07 - 1 small shallot, finely chopped
08 - 2 tbsp fresh dill, chopped
09 - 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
10 - 1 lemon, zest and juice
11 - 1 tbsp capers, drained and chopped (optional)
→ Pantry Staples
12 - 1.5 oz breadcrumbs
13 - 1 tbsp olive oil
14 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
# How-To Steps:
01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Line an 8-inch loaf pan with parchment paper and lightly coat with oil.
02 - Place fish fillets in a saucepan, cover with water, and simmer over low heat for 6–8 minutes until just cooked through. Drain thoroughly and flake into pieces using a fork.
03 - Whisk together eggs, heavy cream, crème fraîche, Parmesan, lemon zest, and lemon juice in a large bowl until smooth and well combined.
04 - Stir in chopped shallot, fresh dill, parsley, capers if using, and breadcrumbs until evenly distributed.
05 - Gently fold in flaked fish and chopped shrimp. Season generously with salt and black pepper.
06 - Transfer mixture to the prepared loaf pan. Smooth the surface evenly and drizzle with olive oil.
07 - Bake for 30–35 minutes until the center is set and the top develops a golden color.
08 - Allow to cool for at least 15 minutes before removing from the pan. Slice and serve warm or at room temperature, garnished with additional herbs and lemon wedges if desired.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- It transforms everyday fish into something elegant enough for company but simple enough for Tuesday dinner
- The texture is incredibly light and creamy, nothing like heavy crab cakes or dense fish patties
02 -
- Overmixing once the fish is added will make the texture tough and dense, so fold gently and stop as soon as everything is combined
- The cooling time is not optional because slicing it while warm will cause the cake to fall apart
03 -
- Pat the poached fish dry with paper towels before adding it to prevent the mixture from becoming watery
- Room temperature eggs incorporate more easily into the dairy mixture for a smoother texture