This chocolate cake recipe is a favorite in our family. In fact, I previously posted it on this blog before when I made it for my dad's birthday. I'm not letting that stop me from posting the recipe again because this cake is so easy to make and always turns out super moist. Its not ultra-chocolately or overly rich and is perfect with mocha-rum icing and dark chocolate ganache.
My brother recently proposed to his girlfriend and I offered to make a cake for their engagment party that my parents were putting on for them. I knew I wanted to use this cake recipe but I couldn't decide exactly how I wanted to decorate the cake.
I didn't want to do anything fussy or cover it in fondant because we would only see the cake for a minute or two at the restaurant before it was sliced. I decided that I would pour ganache over the top and then write something on top of it once it set.
I was going to write something about love, or their names with some hearts but I changed my mind at the last minute and decided to use white chocolate to write how I felt about the news of their engagement.....
...I think this adequately describes my feelings on the matter.
*Excited*
Instead of piping the letters directly onto the cake and risking messing the whole thing up I took a much easier route. I drew out the letters on a piece of paper, lay plastic wrap over the paper, and then piped over the letters with melted white chocolate. Instead of a proper piping bag and tip I used a freezer back and snipped a really small hole in the corner to pipe out of. Once the letters had set I moved them on top of the cake. Risk free cake decorating!
So congratulations Chris and Niccy! So excited for the two of you!
Moist Chocolate Cake
(Double this recipe for two layers)
1/4 c melted butter
1/4 c cocoa
1/2 c hot water
1/2 cup sour milk (1 tsp white vinegar added to milk will sour it)
1 egg beaten in with the milk
1 cup flour
1 tsp baking soda
pinch of salt
1 tsp vanilla
1 cup white sugar
1. Preheat the oven to 350
2. Put all the ingredients into a mixer bowl in the order given above, beat until mostly smooth
3. Bake in 8 inch pan for 25-30 minutes
Chocolate Ganache
6 ounces of dark chocolate
1/2 cup heavy whipping cream
1. Finely chop the chocolate and place in a bowl
2. Heat cream in a pot until gently simmering
3. Whisk the cream into the bowl with the chocolate until the chocolate has melted and the cream is incorporated.
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ha! so cute. almost makes me want to get married. almost. ;-)
Posted by: Melissa@EyesBigger | 12/19/2011 at 08:13 PM
Congrats to them! Love the lettering hahah.
Posted by: Les | 12/20/2011 at 08:42 AM
This looks absolutely gorgeous! Great choice with the ganache. What is the other frosting underneath?
Posted by: Megan | 12/20/2011 at 09:59 AM
Megan: Its a mocha rum icing! I wanted to post the recipe but I was adding a little bit of this, then a little bit of that and in the end I can't be sure of the measurements for it. I'm going to try and make it again asap because it came out great and spreads really smoothly
Posted by: Stephanie | 12/20/2011 at 10:01 AM
Very nice site dear awosome
Posted by: Mobile Prices In Pakistan | 12/20/2011 at 10:36 PM
Whoa. As usual, I am super-duper impressed! I love the sound of this combination of flavors...it's definitely going on my "to do" baking list. :) Maybe if my brother and his GF ever get engaged I'll just copy-cat you.
Nice sneaky trick with the lettering too - I thought the letters looked like they'd been done with a special technique. :)
...Also, "OMG YAY" is totally what I would've said too. Excellent concise way to describe your sentiment. :D
Posted by: Mary at n00bcakes | 12/22/2011 at 01:17 PM
OMG YAY is right... Stephanie that cake looks scrumptious.
Happy New Year to you!
xo
E
Posted by: yummy supper | 12/28/2011 at 11:00 AM
That is sooo cute that it says "OMG YAY!" And I am loving everything about this cake. Yum! Congrats to your brother!
Posted by: Russell van Kraayenburg | 12/28/2011 at 06:45 PM
Is it wrong to say congrats on making a lovely looking cake before saying congrats on a recent family engagement? ;) I'm a sucker for family recipes. Cheers to a dessert-filled 2012!
Posted by: A Plum By Any Other Name | 12/30/2011 at 10:55 AM
Vraiment très tentant, une bonne année 2012 !
Posted by: Guylaine | 01/01/2012 at 08:23 AM
Congrats to the lucky couple, lucky enough to get this cake! Adorable lettering!
Posted by: Lisa | 01/01/2012 at 01:41 PM
Oh my goodness! I just found your blog and I am so excited! Its beautiful and your food looks scrumptious! And I love that you include so much style!
I'd love for you to check out my fashion & lifestyle blog! I think we have similar styles. :)
http://www.fashionistabarista.com
Posted by: Elisa | 01/03/2012 at 07:49 PM
awesome cake i love it a lot i think it has a great taste to eat
Posted by: Restaurant Bruges | 01/04/2012 at 12:12 AM
Ha! That's such a cute cake. Mocha rum frosting sounds like something that's right up my alley.
Posted by: Maggie Muggins | 01/07/2012 at 03:23 PM
Very cool idea. I think I will have to try this one. I just love the "It's the Little Things" line. Thanks!
Posted by: Christian Louboutin Online | 02/17/2012 at 06:03 PM
1/4 c melted butter means I measure 1/4c of butter and melt it?
Posted by: Glenda | 04/08/2012 at 09:21 PM
Great post!! very informative.
Thank you very much for such a lovely and informative post.
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