Hot Chocolate Cake

This was such a fun cake to make! I opted for the Hot Chocolate version. Other than my whipped cream being a little soft, it turned out well. I have loved seeing all of the different cakes made by other Cake Slice Bakers, everyone is so creative. I think this is going to be great fun! Check out The Cake Slice Bakers!

Hot Chocolate Chiffon Cake

Makes an 8-inch triple layer cake

1/4 c. of neutral oil (ie. vegetable, canola, or soybean)

6 eggs separated

6 T. strong hot chocolate

2 t. of vanilla extract

1 and 1/3 c. of cake flour*

1 and 1/2 c. of sugar

1 t. of baking powder

1/2 t. of ground cinnamon

1/2 t. of salt

1/2 t. of cream of tartar

Cocoa powder or cinnamon for dusting

(*The recipe calls for cake flour and if you only have all-purpose flour on hand, you can substitute 3/4 cup (105 grams) all purpose flour plus 2 tablespoons (30 grams) cornstarch.)

Hot Chocolate Syrup

8 oz. hot water

2 T. Cocoa powder

2 T. sugar

Vanilla Whipped Cream

3 c. of heavy cream

1/3 c. of sugar

2 t. of vanilla

1. Preheat the oven to 350F degrees. Line the bottom s of three 8-inch round cake pans with parchment paper but do not grease.

2. In a medium bowl, combine the oil, egg yolks, espresso, and vanilla; whisk lightly to blend. In a large mixing bowl, sift together the flour, 1 cup of sugar, the baking powder, cinnamon, and salt. Set aside.

3. In the large bowl of an electric mixer, whip the egg whites with the cream of tartar on medium-low speed until frothy. Raise the mixer to medium high and gradually add the remaining 1/2 cup of sugar. Continue to beat until soft peaks form. Do not whip to stiff peaks or the cake will shrink upon cooling.

4. Add the espresso-egg mixture to the dry ingredients and fold together just until combined. Add one fourth of the egg whites and fold them gently into the batter. Fold in the remaining egg whites just until no streaks remain. Divide the batter among the pans.

5. Bake the cakes for 18 minutes or until a cake tester comes out clean. Allow the cakes to cool completely in the pans. Once cooled run a knife around the edge of the pans to release the cakes. Invert onto a wire rack and remove the parchment papers.

6. To assemble the cake, place one cake layer flat side up on a cake stand or platter. Soak the cake with 1/3 cup of the hot chocolate syrup. Spread 1 and 1/3 cups of whipped cream evenly over the top of the cake. Repeat with the next layer the same steps. Finally top with the third layer. Soak with syrup and frost the top and sides of the cake with the whipped cream.

7. To decorate the cake smooth out the whipped cream as much as possible on top. Lay a paper doily on top and sift cocoa powder or cinnamon over the doily to reveal a lacy detail.

Barefoot Bloggers - Pumpkin Risotto

A bit late...but here it is! The recipe was Butternut Squash Risotto, I did not have buttenut spuash and so I made a few changes. Pumpkin Risotto is what it turned out to be. It took a bit of time to prepare, did I love it?? It was okay, but not sure I would make it again. I enjoyed trying something new.

Pumpkin Risotto

1 small pumpkin, peeled, seeded and cut into 3/4" chunks

2 T. oilve oil

salt and pepper

6 c. chicken stock

6 T. butter

2 ounces bacon, diced

1/2 c. onion, minced

1 1/2 c. arborio rice

1 c. parmesan cheese

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Mix pumpkin chunks with oil, salt and pepper. Pour onto a foil lined baking sheet and bake until tender, for about 25-30 minutes. Set aside. Meanwhile, heat the chicken broth. In a heavy pan, add butter, saute bacon and onion until clear but not dark. Add rice and mix to coat with oil. Add 2 c. of broth, simmer until liquid is absorbed. Repeat, until rice is cooked al dente, about 30 minutes total. Remove from heat and stir in pumpkin chunks and cheese. Mix well and serve.