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Showing posts with label cake. Show all posts
Showing posts with label cake. Show all posts

2013/02/20

Pumpkin Pie Cake with Vanilla Cream

Like many Americans, I love pumpkin pie. There is something incredibly soothing about the spicy taste, the smooth texture and the dollop of cream.  But there's also something about pumpkin cake or bread - the rich but dense texture with that pie-reminiscent taste.


Here's a twist on both - why not put the two together? Even better, this one is lactose-free!

Recipe:
1 12oz can pumpkin puree
1/2 C brown sugar
1-2 tsp ground cinnamon (depends how spicy you want it)
1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
1/2 C cake flour
1/2 tsp baking powder
2 eggs

Crust
1 1/2 C graham cracker crumbs
1/4 C granulated sugar
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
6 Tbs butter, melted

Vanilla Cream
2 egg yolks
1/4 C granulated sugar
2 Tbs + 1/2 tsp cornstarch
3/4 C soy milk
1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract

Start with the vanilla cream since it will take at least an hour.  In a bowl, whisk the yolks until smooth. Separately in a saucepan, mix the sugar and cornstarch over medium heat, add the soy milk in a slow, steady stream. Cook until it begins to bubble and thicken.  Pour 1/3 of the mix into the eggs, whisk until smooth, then put the mix back into the saucepan and cook, stirring constantly, 3-5 more minutes until thick. Remove from heat and put into a ceramic bowl and chill covered for an hour.

Preheat oven to 400°F.  In a stainless steel bowl, beat the eggs then add the puree, brown sugar, spices, flour and baking powder and mix well. In a separate bowl, mix the crumbs, white sugar, cinnamon and butter until crumbly.

Grease a cupcake pan with butter or cooking spray and line the bottoms with parchment. Spoon enough pumpkin mix into each cup to fill 2/3 of the way. Fill the remainder with graham mix but not quite to the top, then pat down gently with your fingers.

Bake at 400°F for 15 minutes, then reduce temperature to 325°F for another 6 minutes. Remove from heat and cool. To remove, place the top of a cookie sheet down onto the open cups and flip over. Allow to cool completely.

Note: a quick "cheat" for vanilla cream - prepare a box of sugar-free, dairy-free, no-cook vanilla pudding mix according to directions but use only 3/4 of the milk. Whip 2 egg whites in a bowl and once peaked, blend the two together.



2013/02/10

Brys + Edgewood Cake Kits

Now this is a great idea if you're on the "decoratively challenged" side (no judgment, it's not easy to make food cross the boundary between nice and spectacular).


These great cakes from Brys + Edgewood are actually kits and designed for the novice to make fantastic and beautiful cakes.


All the kits include everything you need to make the cake, including the pre-colored fondant, cake mix, disposable paper baking molds and instructions.


And for those of you guys still looking for a neat date idea...try baking! Think about it - you get to stay at home, you get to be the "creative genius" for the day, and you get to be around your woman for several hours!


And by the way - there's a special running on Gilt Taste through February 14th!

Enjoy!

2012/07/24

Layered Chocolate Cake


Chocolate. I don't think I've ever met a woman that did not like chocolate, and Jen is no exception. When we first met, she preferred milk chocolate but over time, this has evolved into a matured taste for dark chocolate.

Recipe Card (PDF) This is not my recipe - in fact it was actually my attempt to work on my paltry baking skills.  Came out pretty good if I may say so.  If you do try this, make it a project - this is a great way for couples to spend some time doing something together and ending with a good dessert.  One thing - follow the recipe to a T - it is critical.

The original recipe is from Sweetapolita.  I've posted the recipe on a card since it is quite long. Obviously my decorating skills aren't quite as good either but I'll keep at it. Jen's birthday is coming up and I have a special idea in mind so we'll see how that turns out...

Photos by MadeForJen
Recipe by Sweetapolita