Ispahan is a flavor combination of raspberry, rose, and lychees. The term was coined by the legendary French pastry chef Pierre Hermé in homage to the fragrant roses of the city of Isfahan in Iran. I first tried ispahan while living in Paris in the form of a macaron from Hermé’s shop, and I was instantly obsessed. What a beautifully light, subtle, and aromatic melding of ingredients, each one dancing with the next.
I made a version of this cake on a baking competiti