Monday, February 14, 2011

Heavenly Cakes - Double Chocolate Valentine

It was free choice for the HCB group of bakers this week. Since it is Valentine's Day and neighbors are celebrating their 50th anniversary, I decided to bake Rose's Double Chocolate Valentine cake. It features a cocoa layer cake which is infused with melted chocolate ganache. Rose decorated with fresh raspberries. As the raspberries didn't look very fresh and were expensive, I went another route. Also, since my new heart shaped silicone pan made the cake a disaster, I had to "cover up and disguise" grumbling all along. Thank goodness for ganache and whipped cream.
I continued with the "injection" of ganache and chilled the cake. So, do I throw it out or try to save it?
I trimmed and spread remaining ganache on the sides.

Whipping cream with a little powdered sugar and using my pastry bag, I went to work. Actually, it doesn't look too bad considering the mess it was. I tasted the trimmed pieces and it is delicious. I am sure my neighbors will love the decadent chocolate taste. Now, off to their party. By the way, I will be purchasing a metal heart shaped pan when I am next in the States. I am not sold on silicone pans and am open to comments and suggestions for use.

I will be traveling next week to the southern Mexican state of Oaxaca. This area has a rich history of cuisine. I am looking forward to tasting the Seven Moles of Oaxaca and even perhaps the "Chapalines" - a local speciality of fried crickets! Take care, lola
WHOOPS!! Hanaa just pointed out that next week is "free choice" week. Sorry Marie - I am distracted but excited about my travels next week. Also, a big thank you to Hanaa for emailing me a tutorial on inserting photos in the middle of my blog. She is a super baker, blogger friend.

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5 comments:

  1. HanaâFebruary 14, 2011 at 4:26 PM

    First, a big Yay for pictures within text. You did it!! I love it :o) The cake looks great. I made this one last year on V-Day (http://hanaaskitchen.blogspot.com/2010/02/hcb-double-chocolate-valentine.html). How nice of you to make it for your neighbors. To be honest, I'm not a big fan of silicone pans either. I did find a good use for them: making cheesecakes. Put your springform pan in them when baking your cheesecake in a waterbath. No need for 2 layers of aluminum foil to keep the water from seeping in!
    Btw, Free Choice week is next week but maybe Marie won't notice ;o)

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  2. lolaFebruary 14, 2011 at 5:01 PM

    Thanks Hanaa for the tutorial on pictures within text. I meant to email you, but as you can tell by my posting early on HCB - oh well, I am distracted getting ready for my adventure. I really appreciate your comments. Take care, lola

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  3. Michelle @ On and Off My PlateFebruary 14, 2011 at 7:04 PM

    That is artistic! I bet tasty too!

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  4. AnonymousFebruary 14, 2011 at 8:32 PM

    What a great rescue! The cake looks gorgeous with the whipped cream (and I'm sure it tasted as good as it looked).
    I did notice, but I'm not as stern a taskmaster as Hsnaa might lead you to believe.
    Marie

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  5. PriyankaFebruary 15, 2011 at 6:38 AM

    Beautiful......the name is totally apt for the dish :)

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