Make a soft gluten-free non-sticky Sabudana Khichdi, a pilaf with my mother-in-laws secret tips to make this popular snack and breakfast item.
Chocolate Almond Cake Baking Partners
As a part of the Baking Partners, we were to make a Christmas cake and when I saw the recipes my heart sank.
Don’t get me wrong there was nothing
wrong with the recipes it’s my ability to make them that I questioned. I
questioned myself how did I think I am capable of making anything here?
wrong with the recipes it’s my ability to make them that I questioned. I
questioned myself how did I think I am capable of making anything here?
Somehow the cake senses that I am comfortable baking and it gives me trouble. Either it sinks or it burns or
spills.
spills.
So when I saw the cakes here I was tense
and I questioned my sanity. Well, let me tell you that the family does not know
about all the stress I go through when I am baking. Then it will be a full stop
for my baking with an exclamation mark. For then I get one of my anxiety
attacks and start coughing and get breathless etc. in short everything an
asthmatic patient goes through.
and I questioned my sanity. Well, let me tell you that the family does not know
about all the stress I go through when I am baking. Then it will be a full stop
for my baking with an exclamation mark. For then I get one of my anxiety
attacks and start coughing and get breathless etc. in short everything an
asthmatic patient goes through.
I choose what I thought was easier of
the two.
the two.
Also, I have never tried writing with
icing. In fact I realize now that the syringe kind of icing tube is of no use. So
please ignore the mess that I have made with the writing part. As you can see
the kid had no problems in fact she was pleased as punch. O I did complain that
she did not eat the cake apparently she did and she likes it. In fact I am happy
she has asked me make it again.
icing. In fact I realize now that the syringe kind of icing tube is of no use. So
please ignore the mess that I have made with the writing part. As you can see
the kid had no problems in fact she was pleased as punch. O I did complain that
she did not eat the cake apparently she did and she likes it. In fact I am happy
she has asked me make it again.
Chocolate –Brazil nut cake
and Neapolitan Christmas cake Suggested by Suja of
Kitchen corner try it.
and Neapolitan Christmas cake Suggested by Suja of
Kitchen corner try it.
Faye Levy Chocolate Sensations, HP
Books Inc., USA, 1986, p.22-23
Books Inc., USA, 1986, p.22-23
Chocolate –Brazil Nut Cake
Now since I have never seen Brazil Nuts
I used almonds
I used almonds
Ingredients
·
1-½ cups Almonds (about 7 oz)
1-½ cups Almonds (about 7 oz)
·
6 OZ semisweet chocolate, chopped
6 OZ semisweet chocolate, chopped
·
¾
cup Sugar
¾
cup Sugar
·
¼
cup all purpose flour
¼
cup all purpose flour
·
½
tsp baking powder
½
tsp baking powder
·
¾
cup (6 oz) unsalted butter slightly softened
¾
cup (6 oz) unsalted butter slightly softened
·
6
eggs separated, room temperature
6
eggs separated, room temperature
·
¼
tsp cream of tartar
¼
tsp cream of tartar
Chocolate
Honey Frosting
Honey Frosting
·
½
cup whipping cream
½
cup whipping cream
·
6
oz. semisweet chocolate, very finely chopped
6
oz. semisweet chocolate, very finely chopped
·
6 tbsp (3
oz.) unsalted butter, slightly softened but still cool
6 tbsp (3
oz.) unsalted butter, slightly softened but still cool
·
3 tbsp+
1 tsp-honey
3 tbsp+
1 tsp-honey
Garnish
Whipped
cream
cream
Method:
Cake
1. Preheat oven to
350F (175C). (I have 160ᵒC setting so I use that).
350F (175C). (I have 160ᵒC setting so I use that).
2. Toast nuts in a
shallow baking pan in the oven for 10 minutes.
shallow baking pan in the oven for 10 minutes.
3. Melt chocolate
in heat proof medium bowl in the microwave in spurts of 30 seconds. Set aside
to cool.
in heat proof medium bowl in the microwave in spurts of 30 seconds. Set aside
to cool.
4. Butter 9”x3”
spring form pan, line base with parchment paper and grease and flour the sides
of the pan.
spring form pan, line base with parchment paper and grease and flour the sides
of the pan.
5. Grind the nuts
with 2 tblsp sugar into a fine powder.
with 2 tblsp sugar into a fine powder.
6. Transfer into a bowl
and shift flour and baking powder and mix thoroughly.
and shift flour and baking powder and mix thoroughly.
7. Cream butter and
6 tblsp of sugar and beat until smooth and fluffy.
6 tblsp of sugar and beat until smooth and fluffy.
8. Add one egg yolk at a
time and beat till all 6 are blended and pale.
time and beat till all 6 are blended and pale.
9. Stir in the
melted chocolate.
melted chocolate.
10. In another bowl
beat egg white and cream of tartar in medium speed until it forms soft peaks.
beat egg white and cream of tartar in medium speed until it forms soft peaks.
11. Gradually beat in the
remaining 2 tblsp of sugar and beat till white are stiff and shiny
but not dry.
remaining 2 tblsp of sugar and beat till white are stiff and shiny
but not dry.
12. Gently fold in
⅓ of the white into the chocolate flour mixture, repeat folding in batches
until batter is blended.
⅓ of the white into the chocolate flour mixture, repeat folding in batches
until batter is blended.
13. Transfer batter
into prepared pans and bake for 40 minutes or till the tooth pick inserted in
the center comes out clean.
into prepared pans and bake for 40 minutes or till the tooth pick inserted in
the center comes out clean.
14. Cool in pan on a
rack for 10 minutes. Using a knife go around the cake gently and invert onto a
cake rack and allow cooling completely.
rack for 10 minutes. Using a knife go around the cake gently and invert onto a
cake rack and allow cooling completely.
Frosting
1. Bring cream to a
full boil in a small saucepan remove from heat and immediately add the chopped
chocolate.
full boil in a small saucepan remove from heat and immediately add the chopped
chocolate.
2. Stir quickly till the
chocolate is melted and the mixture is smooth. Cool to room temperature. Whip
this at high speed till it thickens and becomes pale.
chocolate is melted and the mixture is smooth. Cool to room temperature. Whip
this at high speed till it thickens and becomes pale.
3. Cream butter in a
medium bowl until it is soft and smooth, gradually add the chocolate mixture
and honey and beat well.
medium bowl until it is soft and smooth, gradually add the chocolate mixture
and honey and beat well.
4. Using a long
spatula spread frosting evenly on the side and top of the cake.
spatula spread frosting evenly on the side and top of the cake.
5. Top with whipped
cream.
cream.
The leftover or made extra chocolate was used here.
Try making these Oven Roasted Honey Chilli Almonds for Christmas.
Linking to
http://foodomania.com/christmas-cook-off-contest/
Hits , http://arusuvai-kurippu.blogspot.co.uk/2012/11/event-announcement-show-me-your-hits.html
http://cookcookandcook.wordpress.com/2012/11/26/merry-christmas-celebrations-event-announcement/
let's Celebrate - Christmas, Jagruthi's page
Know your Flour, Jagruti's page
All rights reserved on photographs and written content are copy-written @The Mad Scientist’s Kitchen!! unless mentioned. Please Ask First
Priya R says
slurp.... cake looks so good 🙂 I am sure the birthday girl enjoyed
Gauri says
The first pic is just fab.. I love the melting chcolate. Its come out so well, u need not worry. The smiles while cutting the cake says it all:) Wish I could have some today.. really need a sugar rush!
Arthy Suman says
Excellent effort dear...cake looks awesome...
divya says
looks yummy n tempting...
Sangeetha Priya says
Lovely smile from ur daughter!!! well done...
Julie says
looks very delicious n yummy!!
Join EP event-Garlic OR Turmeric @ Spice n Flavors
Swathi Iyer says
Beautiful cake you did very well. Your princess is cute.
Suja Manoj says
Great job dear,looks so good..the first pic which the dripping chocolate frosting is mind blowing,love it
your daughter is so cute.
Nivedhanams Sowmya says
Wow a very happy face near the cake tells it all!!! I am sure she loved the cake!!!
Sowmya
Ongoing Event - Eggless Bakes and Treats
Ongoing Event - SYF&HWS - Ginger
♥LOVE2COOK MALAYSIA♥ says
WOW, I would love more slices of your cake dear...!
Priti S says
Cake looks so perfect n yum ...
PriyaVaasu says
your kiddo looks very happy!!!! cake looks yummy!!! don't bother the icing, in the end, it is the taste that matters!!!
Priya says
Very neat and beautiful cake, how happy she is, wish i get a slice.
My Cooking Journey says
Gooey chocolate dripping from the cake is awesome! The beautiful smile from the kids says it all 🙂
Sandhya
Janani says
niceeeeeeeeeeee
DivyaGCP says
Rich decadent Chocolate treat.. Totally Yum!! Thanks for linking it to the event..
Amrita Vishal says
Loved to see the pretty happy face cutting the cake..belated wishes to your angel...loved the drooling chocolate pic!!
Tina (PinayInTexas) says
Nicely done, Archana! Your chocolate almond cake looks perfect!
Savitha Ganesan says
Beautifully baked cake.How happy ur kid is? happy b day dear.
cookingvarieties says
hi archana, the cute lass is sure enjoying herself- that should woo your culinary skill... well, i think my handwriting will somewhat be like yours..ha ha- kind of cute tho-perfect for her age> nice! . have a nice day
Swasthi Blank says
cake looks beautiful Archana! nice clicks too. hope you enjoyed it
Deepali says
awesome cake. it is a bookmarked recipe for me...
hop over to my space & send in your entries for my ongoing event - http://confusioncook.com/2013/01/01/lets-bake-love-eggless-valentine-bake/