Pictures of Cake: November 2010

11.30.2010

11.24.2010

11.19.2010

L.C.C.

This is the little black dress of chocolate cakes.

A go-to, dependable recipe that I know will always emerge looking great and tasting splendid. Suitable for any occasion, it can be dressed up or down and would be just as perfect for a Sunday dinner as for a wedding.

Plus, it’s terrifically easy to make.

The recipe is one of Ina Garten’s that I came across on the Food & Wine website a few years ago. Having made it countless times since, my printout long ago marked with smudges of batter and cocoa powder, I've learned a few things from past failings and triumphs:

• This is a wet batter that produces a rich but delicate cake. Definitely use a parchment liner and liberally grease the pans with butter or Baker's Joy.

• Make sure to let the cake cool in the pan for the noted 30 minutes before removing to rack to cool completely.

• If the raw egg in the frosting recipe makes you nervous, it works just fine without it (though the density of the frosting is looser, softer).

• The coffee in both the cake and the frosting add a lovely depth, but if you don't have any on hand (or don't care to make any), both turn out fantastic without it. Just make sure to replace the 1 cup of hot coffee in the cake recipe with 1 cup of hot water.

Have any of you made this cake before? Any other tips, comments, or suggestions to offer?

11.15.2010

Collecting Cake

I have a pretty big collection of cake-related miscellany. This is the first post (of many) highlighting some of my favorites.

Click on the images to enlarge.

The cover: