This will be the only sweet surprise that I will publicly be sharing in step with my “anonymous giving” but I figured, I would whittle down the steps of a cake commonly mistaken as “difficult.” In truth, it’s pretty simple to create. I for one abhor fondant while I adore cream cheese and whipped cream frosting’s. This cake is slathered with the latter and couldn’t be quicker. I am thrilled that so many of you are on board with spreading Christmas cheer through food. It makes my heart so happy. I hope that in an effort to make my friend smile, that this cake helped make her happy too.
- 1¾ c unbleached Flour
- 1½ ts Baking Powder
- 1½ ts Baking Soda
- 1 ts fine Salt
- ½ c Hot Water
- ½ c Hot Coffee
- 2 c Sugar
- ¾ c good quality unsweetened Cocoa
- 2 room temperature Eggs
- 1 c Sour Cream
- ½ c Vegetable/Canola Oil
- 2 ts Vanilla
- 4 c cold Heavy Cream
- 1 c Powdered Sugar (or more)
- 1 ts Vanilla
- 4 oz chopped Semisweet Chocolate
- ½ c Heavy Cream
- 1 ts Vanilla
- ⅛ ts Fine Salt
- 4-6 Strawberries
- 4 oz chopped Semisweet Chocolate
- For your cake, sift together all your dry ingredients: flour, baking powder/soda, salt.
- In your second bowl, whisk together your water, coffee, sugar and cocoa.
- In a third bowl, blend together your eggs, sour cream, oil and vanilla.
- Combine your second and third bowls together until well blended.
- In 3 separate additions, begin incorporating your first (dry) bowl into your wet mixture. Take care not to over beat. This will produce a tough cake.
- Bake in greased pans at 350 for 35-40 minutes.
- For your frosting, using a whisk (or attachment), beat your heavy cream with the powdered sugar and vanilla until you achieve soft peaks. Refrigerate until the cake is ready to assemble.
- For your ganache, begin to heat your chocolate, cream, vanilla and salt. You don’t want it to be too hot. Allow the residual heat to melt your chocolate and mix until thick and smooth. Leave it to cool (and thicken) slightly.
- For your chocolate covered berries, use a double boiler method (or microwave) to heat your chocolate. Dip each one, swirl, and tap off excess. Make sure your strawberries are completely dry or your chocolate may seize up.
The cocoa on the left is what you desire. Quality ingredients make all the world of a difference when you cook/bake.
I crave a deeply intense bar (of at least 75%) on the regular. I hear it’s good for you but really, I eat it because it’s delicious but if you’re trying to rationalize why you should include more {dark} chocolate in your diet (yes, I generally advocate for more yummy vs less) here’s why.
- Rich in flavonoids and is high in antioxidants
- Contains serotonin and stimulates endorphin production
- Shown to reduce LDL cholesterol
- Has a low glycemic index
- Features minerals like Iron, Potassium, Magnesium, Copper
Love & Chocolate,
Your Squishy Monster ^.~
I love this cake! I wonder how tinted white chocolate would look? Maybe crushed candy canes on top? I’m going to try both!
Both beautiful and delicious ideas!!
yummy chocolate dipped food science!
I would spend the rest of my life with that cake… and give it a pink tuxedo
oooh that is SUCH a great idea…as you know, I love pink!
sweet ^^! hope it brightened up your friend’s day! it’d certainly make my day ^^
I think it was a success =)
Great job on an amazing cake, looks beautiful. Yep I abhor fondant too. Well to make it. Like the cream cheese idea.
I don’t get the stuff–it’s like edible play-doh to me.
That looks so delicious!
Thanks, Audrey!
This cake is so decadent and looks delicious. I’d be happy to get a slice!
The problem with giving food gifts is that I end up eating such a big portion, it makes me feel bad, lol.
I’ve always wanted to make a tuxedo cake! yours looks fabulous.
Easy peasy lemon squeezy—hope you give it a try =)
Wow! Great job on the cake, it looks amazing!
Thanks, Libby =)
Angie, this was very sweet, and I totally approve of your choice of cake for a mood booster. This is so pretty and I’m sure it helped her feel better, not only to eat something chocolatey-delish, but to know that she is loved by a good friend.
I’m so blessed by the support system around me that I feel nothing but gratitude and humbleness.
Yummy cake! I wish I had a slice right now
I do believe it’s all gone—we should all get together and have a virtual sweets party! Everyone seems to restrict themselves in between Thanksgiving and Christmas but I feel everyday should be a food holiday!
What a gorgeous cake! I’d be afraid to cut into it…lol! I took some venison to an elderly gentleman and his son that don’t have much just yesterday. They were very happy
That warms my heart, Suzie! I’ve had venison sausage once before and quite enjoyed it. I would love to go hunting with you sometime, THAT would make for such an interesting post =) !!
i use cocoa powder so rarely, it often becomes grainy and similar to what you’ve shown in that picture on the right. so sad. what a great cake, though–bravo!
Thanks, Grace! (btw, you and Mama share the same name) ^.^
Oh my, what a spectacular looking cake! I’m getting the feeling that cakes are your specialty. I can’t imagine that cake NOT cheering up your friend. Great job!
Aw, you are sweet!!
This sounds amazing! I love the decoration.
Thanks! It seemed to make the most sense.
OMG what a gorgeous cake and such a sweet gift!!!
Thanks, Kayle…maybe this will mean Santa will bring me a cake too =)
What a fantastic cake!
Thank you!!
Hi Angie, I want a BIG slice please!!
This is really a to die for tuxedo cake. Love the ganache, look so good. Nice decoration.
Have a lovely day ahead.
You too Amelia! You always brighten my day =)
This cake is perfection my friend you have done an incredible job
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
Thanks CCU!!