Sunday, August 2, 2009

Decadence

We spent the weekend celebrating Brian's birthday by wining and dining ourselves until we are now sick of food...(Well, not really...I don't think that would ever happen to us, but if it were to happen to someone, it would be after a weekend like this.) Last night we both agreed that we had the absolute best meal of our life in Dallas. We went to Fearing's Restaurant at the Ritz-Carlton. We started our meal with the crispy barbecued oysters over creamed spinach. These oysters were perfectly fried and accompanied by the creamy spinach and slightly sweet barbecue sauce. For the meal, I had Fearing's incredible maple-black peppercorn soaked buffalo tenderloin that came with jalapeno grits and a butternut squash taquito. (to die for) I knew going into this dinner that is was going to be good, great even, but the flavors of everything we had popped distinctly and yet blended with one another so amazingly, that this dinner forced me to close my eyes and re-open them to make sure I was not dreaming. Yes, it was that good! We refused dessert because we had a homemade German Chocolate Cake waiting for us at home. (I had slaved away all day in the kitchen creating the masterpiece, so Brian was forced to eat it.) I have been making tiered cakes for several years now. It all started with a bake-off in college. I dedicated two full days to making an Italian Cream Cake because back then I had no idea what I was doing. I'll save that story for another blogging day...












Anyway, so yesterday I made a German Chocolate Cake because that is what Brian requested.

In all my history of making layered cakes (which is actually quite extensive because they are one of my favorite desserts to make), this one ranks among the best. Not to brag, but the flavor and texture was spot on, and the icing so divine. It's buttery with crunchy pecans and flaky coconut, I could eat it by itself. (Shhh, I let Dutch lick the spatula and he loved it too! Yes, of course after I was finished icing the cake.)

I was even able to create all my layers equal. If you are a baker (or not), you know how difficult it is to have 3 perfectly even layers. Most of the time one is slightly thicker or thiner than another, but no one can usually tell once you get the icing going. Well, yesterday, I almost got out a ruler because the layers were so identical, I was truly amazed. And bonus...the cakes totally fell out of the pans without me even throwing a fit like I sometimes do. (Also, another blogging day...) The baker in me was shining through yesterday, maybe I should switch careers. Just kidding, I get it, don't get ahead of yourself Kasey. Ok, I know you are waiting for the recipe, so here it is, make this one soon! Pure decadance.

German Chocolate Cake
(from the Magnolia Bakery Cookbook)
Ingredients
4 oz Baker’s German’s Sweet Chocolate, broken into squares
1/2 cup water
2 cups all purpose flour
1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
4 large eggs, separated, at room temperature
1 cup butter, softened
2 cups sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup buttermilk
1 1/2 cans evaporated milk
6 egg yolks
2 cups sugar
1 cup butter, cut into small pieces
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
4 cups sweetened, shredded coconut
2 cups coarsely chopped pecans

Directions
Preheat oven to 350.
Grease and flour 3 9x2 inch round cake pans, then line bottoms with wax paper.
In a small saucepan over low heat, combine the chocolate with the water, stirring to melt the chocolate, and blend well. Set aside and cool for 10 minutes.
Meanwhile, in a medium sized bowl, sift together the flour, the baking soda, and the salt.
Set aside.
In a small bowl, lightly beat the egg yolks, about 1 minute.
In a large bowl, on the medium speed of an electric mixer, cream the butter and the sugar until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes.
Add the egg yolks, beating until well combined.
Add the chocolate mixture and the vanilla extract.
Add the dry ingredients in thirds, alternating with he buttermilk, beating after each addition, until smooth.
In a separate bowl, beat the egg whites on the high speed of an electric mixer until soft peaks form. Gently fold into batter.
Divide batter among the prepared pans.
Bake for 25-30 minutes or until a cake tester comes out clean. Be careful not to over bake, as this cake has a different, lighter texture than most.
Let cake cool in pans for 10 minutes.
Remove from pans and cool completely on wire rack.
In a large saucepan, beat together the evaporated milk and the egg yolks.
Stir in the sugar, the butter , and the vanilla extract.
Stir over medium heat about 15-18 minutes or until thickened and bubbly and golden in color. Remove from heat.
Stir in the coconut and pecans.
Transfer to a large bowl and cool until room temperature and of good spreading consistency (about 2 hours.)
When cake has cooled, spread frosting between layers and over top of cake.

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