06 April 2010

TWD: Mocha Walnut Marbled Cake



Ok, so full disclosure: Marble cake is definitely one of my Top 3 Cake Choices Of All Time (Of All Time).  So especially after last week's disappointment, I was again looking forward to this week's TWD challonj, though perhaps my enthusiasm was a mite more measured than last.  This time, I decided to only do a half recipe rather than get carried away and do a whole.  I can only take so much kitchen sad.

Desperate Housecats agree.

So I proceeded onward!

The steps to make this cake seemed unnecessarily cumbersome to me for some reason.  First there was grinding walnuts (which as usual for me was more like "chopping" walnuts.  Maybe I should start using the coffee grinder.)

Then melting chocolate for chocolate batter.  But wait!  I need to make coffee for it!  Shoot!  And heat water to melt over!  You want the pan buttered AND floured?!  I'm gonna be UP ALL NIGHT!  This cake is already FAIL!

(Though I know I could probably do it just as effectively in the microwave, I get a little suspicious when that isn't mentioned in the recipe). 

Now batter must be made.  I don't know what to think about the instructions to "beat 3 min at medium speed but don't really like cream it or nothin'" stuff.  Mine still came out pretty light and fairly fluffy, not pasty at all.  I kept it movin'.

Now half goes to make chocolate batter and half to make vanilla.


And to go in pans.  As much as I love marble cake, getting it to actually...you know, MARBLE is often tricky, so today I sez, "eh, I'ma do it MY WAY" and checkerboarded the batter before swirling.



It worked pretty well, I think.


I baked the little pans on the sheet for about 40 minutes.  They puffed a bit but popped right on out of the pans:


And they were actually MARBLED!  Lo!

I made Dorie's Bittersweet Chocolate Sauce to go over.  I ran out of heavy cream and had to sub half and half.  The texture was a little bit odd--it looks like unset pudding--but it tastes very good and compliments the cake well.


Really, there isn't too much to say about this but YUUUUUM.  It wiped away all my sadness.  This is, I think, hands down the best cake we've made since I joined TWD, and possibly the best cake I've ever made from this book (though the Black and White Cake, when it actually works, is mighty effing rad.)  It is fluffy and buttery and melty and full of flavor.  Perfect marble cake.  Loves it!  WILL make again.  Most def.

Thanks to Erin at When in Doubt...Leave it at 350 for picking this one!  *hugs*

18 comments:

Susan said...

I love your beautifully marbled, chocolate covered mini cakes!! And the sliced strawberry on top is perfect. Great job!

Leslie said...

Yay! I'm so glad this one was a hit for you! We LOVED it too.

Nickki said...

I love your marbling, it turned out perfectly! Glad you liked it :-)

Pamela said...

Nice marbling! I think the chocolate, the whipped cream and the strawberry are perfect on your cake.

Beth said...

Lovely! I wish Passover was done so I could make this cake. It looks delicious.

Kimberly Johnson said...

Your cakes look delicious and the presentation is beautiful!

Cindy said...

Love you cute pans! This looks yummy, and I'm glad it was delish!

Jencrafted said...

Very nice....both the cakes and your post. Witty and refreshing! Thanks for sharing

Jessica of My Baking Heart said...

Love your mini cakes - the toppings look great!! :)

jillbuker said...

Love your minis and your marbling rocks. I sucked at it, but the cake was great anyway!

Marthe said...

Your mini bundts are perfectly marbled: gorgeous!!

Anonymous said...

How cute, little marbly cakes!! i tried the whole checkerboarding thing... and it just didn't happen for me. My lolcat was sad.

Ps. I did the chocolate melting in the microwave. It worked just fine :)

Tia said...

adorable marbling on your cakes. I love minis. Looks delicious!!! I did an almond instead of walnut Bundt.

Anavon Harris said...

They turned out great and very yummy looking... Thanks for sharing!

Jules Someone said...

Those are just adorable. Yum!

Amanda said...

Your post is hilarious! Love your little marbled cakes, they look great!

Anonymous said...

YAY!!! I am glad that everything turned out for you and that you enjoyed the cakes :hug:
Thanks for baking with me this week.

Jacque said...

Oh wow, I am all over that chocolate sauce. I'll bet it was darn tasty with that. Nice work and yes, the marbling is awesome.

 

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