This week’s TWD recipe was chosen by Lyb of And Then I do the Dishes and is Chocolate Armagnac Cake. Actually, my cake became a chocolate port cake, as all of our spirits (actually we only have gin, vodka and brandy) are packed up and I didn’t want to go and buy Armagnac or brandy for one cake, but I did have some port which a client gave me, so I used that in place of the Armagnac. I figured that I was allowed such poetic licence, given that Dorie used the same licence turning a whisky and raisin cake into a prune and Armagnac cake!
This is a delicious, dark and fudgey chocolate cake. Yes, it does have prunes in it, but I think even a non-prune lover , such as myself, would like this cake, as the prunes just seem to add to texture rather than taste. The prunes are simmered in boiling water and the steeped in Armagnac – or port in my case. You are meant to light the Armagnac once you have poured it over the prunes, but I didn’t think that port would have enough alcohol to light, and actually, I am not sure what lighting the alcohol adds other than another challenge to the recipe – if anyone can enlighten me, please do so!
I halved the recipe to make a 6 inch cake. The glaze was meant to be made from chocolate, butter and icing sugar, but I had some leftover ganache in the freezer, so used that instead and it was perfect!
We only ate a small wedge of this cake and I gave the rest to my friend for her husband who gave us a meal of fresh snapper he had caught last week. Thankfully Jenny is very understanding about receiving only 7/8ths of a cake!! I would definitely make this cake again. It would make a wonderful dessert served with softly whipped cream.
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23 comments:
I think 7/8ths of a cake is fair trade for fish - right? :)
It certainly looks super fudgey and delicious!
7/8s is better than no cake at all! looks great!
Port sounds like it would be delicious. I think the flaming burns the alcohol off quicker than just cooking it off.
Your slice of cake looks great.
Lovely cake! Flaming burns off the alcohol while leaving the taste of the spirit. Glad you enjoyed it.
port sounds like it would be delicious! i'm not sure what lighting does other than burning off the alcohol, which i guess might bake off in the oven anyway? shrug.
Wow, your cake looks sooo nice!! Port must me a good combination with the prunes as well!!
Mmm, this cake looks so deliciously moist and chocolatey. I love your substitution of port...I think that must have added a great flavor! Great improv!
I think poetic licence is justified - and on the plus side, your boss can't fire you for it like Dorie was. It looks great - the lovely thick ganache looks very toothsome indeed.
Looks fanastic! I sub'd cognac - since our stores don't sell Armagnac anymore. It still ended in "ac" so I figured i wouldn't taste any different. But port - THAT sounds like I'll have to try it - glad you enjoyed it!
A friend indeed is a friend who understands and appreciates 7/8th of a cake! Looks great!
This was such a great cake - your friend got the yummy end of the deal!
Oh, I'm so glad I stopped by, I almost forgot to do my TWD writeup... first time for that, LOL.
Anyway, I'm glad you liked it. I used brandy. I didn't really taste the alcohol in it.
It was yummy!!!!! And definately have no problem with receiveing 7/8ths of a cake LOL. I had no idea there were prunes in it, I could tell there was "something" different but couldn't put my finger on what. YUM!!!! I think it will be great with icecream too.
this cake looks so fudgey and good. Your friend is lucky of receiveing 7/8th of the cake I think I would have ended giving her 1/8 th of it :)
Yours looks so fudgy!! YUM! Yes, like everyone else said, flaming burns off the strong taste of the alcohol leaving a more subtle taste.
Nice job! This cake was wonderful, even though I left out the booze and the prunes!
I loved this cake! Yours looks really delicious. Great job. I think Port sounds wonderful.
Mmm, port sounds good to me. Your cake looks great--I'm sure your friends were happy to get any amount of it. =) I'm forever taking parts of cakes and other desserts to Gillian's day care.
I wouldn't mind getting 7/8ths of a cake either! Glad to hear that the prunes weren't a prominent flavor. Maybe I will have to try this cake out soon. I was thinking maybe I could sub with craisins since I am not a huge raisin fan either. Glad you enjoyed the cake.
Clara @ iheartfood4thought
i think port sounds like a mighty fine substitution--- i'm glad you enjoyed the cake!!!
7/8s of a cake is better than none ;-)) well done, ur cake looks great !!
I would definitely trade cake for fish. And it looks lovely.
7/8ths of a cake is better than no cake at all! Beautiful job, and I love the port idea.
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