Chocolate Daze
I know what you’re thinking. It’s not looking good, is it? I must be in denial. I’m not a chocoholic, I tell ya. Yet, somehow when I made a list of things I wanted to bake as holiday gifts this weekend, it would appear that at least 80% of the list involved chocolate in some form or other.
Chocolate, glorious chocolate.
Perhaps it had something to do with the big bag of Lindt chocolate buttons I’d bought the other day. Or some recently acquired cookbooks. In any case, each item has a reason (or excuse, if you will) for being.
I made Fran Bigelow’s The Reine after yearning for a simple cake with a striking chocolate glaze. In keeping with the Christmas theme, some cinnamon, nutmeg and vanilla were added to the batter; spices I usually associate with Christmas. The resulting cake was moist and delicious, but certainly didn’t hold a candle to the following brownies.
These chocolate brownies from Paul A Young’s book are the ultimate fudgey brownie. I topped mine with dried cranberries for that festive feel, and folded cocoa nibs through the batter, instead of the recommended dessicated coconut. Once baked and chilled, they sliced beautifully, and if they manage to make it out of the kitchen, I will be wrapping bars of these in cellophane to give away.
For friends with more ‘grown-up’ tastes, I couldn’t go past Claire Clark’s slightly mysterious and fruity chocolate red wine cake. It’s almost mulled wine in cake form, which is a good thing. So good, that this is the fourth or fifth time I’ve made this cake. I’ve provided the recipe below, but would encourage you to consider buying the book, as it also contains stellar recipes for all manners of cookies, cakes and plated desserts.
Of course, this is by no means my final post for the year, but I wanted to take the opportunity to thank everyone for reading this year. The support has been greatly appreciated, and I’m sorry I haven’t anything to give to you in return except for a handful of pictures. If you are ever in the neighbourhood, please drop by for a cup of tea and a piece of cake. Possibly a chocolate one. 🙂
Chocolate Red Wine Cake :
(from Indulge : 100 Perfect Desserts by Claire Clark)
125g softened unsalted butter
125g caster sugar
2 medium eggs, lightly beaten
150ml red wine, at room temperature
125g plain flour
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
1 teaspoon cocoa powder
1 teaspoon baking powder
65g dark chocolate (55-70% cocoa solids), grated
for soaking :
50ml water
30g caster sugar
125ml red wine
Preheat the oven to 170’C. Grease and flour a 25cm/10inch bundt tin.
Cream together the butter and sugar until pale and fluffy, then add the beaten eggs a little at a time, beating well between each addition. Add the wine and mix well.
Sift the flour, cinnamon, cloves, cocoa powder and baking powder together. Fold the dry ingredients a tablespoon at a time into the creamed cake mixture.
Lastly fold in the grated chocolate. Transfer the mixture to the prepared pan and level the top. Bake in the centre of the oven for 35 minutes, until the cake is well risen and a skewer inserted in the centre comes out clean.
Let the cake cool in the tin for 20 minutes and then place a thin cake card over the top and invert the tin. Lift off the tin so the cake sits on the card. It will still be warm, so do not try to move it at this stage. Cool the cake completely.
To soak the cake, bring the water and sugar to the boil in a small pan and stir in the red wine. Fill the cleaned bundt tin with the red wine syrup and place the cooled cake back in the tin. It will quickly absorb the hot liquid. Once the liquid has been absorbed, reverse the cake on to the cake card as before. Remove the tin, being careful not to damage the cake. Leave the cake to cool before glazing.
[Note : I don’t have a bundt tin, so I made this in a basic round springform tin, and gently brushed the syrup over the cake, rather than lifting it out of the tin and pouring the syrup in first. You need to be careful if soaking the cake in a springform tin, obviously because it will probably leak a little. I usually do this in a tray next to the sink. Claire Clark finishes her cake with a redcurrant jelly glaze and discs of glossy tempered chocolate. In the mood for something a little more simple, I sprinkled the top of the cake with shaved chocolate instead]
Tags: brownie, cake, chocolate, ganache, salted caramel
Rosa said,
December 21, 2009 @ 4:24 pm
What wonderful creations! Chocolate is so delicious and irresistible… That cake must taste divine!
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Cheers,
Rosa
Reemski said,
December 21, 2009 @ 4:31 pm
Oh, so needing some chocolate love right now….
Angie@Angie's Recipes said,
December 21, 2009 @ 5:07 pm
How grand! They look so beautiful! Esp. the first one, moist, and smooth.
Laura said,
December 21, 2009 @ 6:26 pm
They all look delicious, and it is time I try a recipe from Fran’s book since I have it but never used it.
Amazing that you are not a chocolate fan but manages three beautiful creations, something must have inspired you.
Cheers!
Ellie said,
December 21, 2009 @ 7:28 pm
I am thinking of all these chocolate goodies and the good homes they are going!! Happy holiday 🙂
FFichiban said,
December 21, 2009 @ 8:03 pm
Oh mmyyy!!! I want them alllll! They looks so beautifully moist and sinfully chocolatey mmmm
shaz said,
December 21, 2009 @ 8:34 pm
What do you mean it doesn’t look good? I took one look and started drooling! You’ve got some very lucky gift recipients. Have a great Christmas 🙂
Trissa said,
December 21, 2009 @ 8:58 pm
Psst… psst… exactly what my husband said to me while I was entranced looking at the first picture – so aptly titled – Chocolate daze is what I was in when reading this post. I just love it! By the way, where do you live so I can actually drop by one day for one of these! LOL!… so seriously – where?!?! hehe…
Lorraine @NotQuiteNigella said,
December 21, 2009 @ 10:01 pm
Haha that’s dangerous asking people to drop by now! I’m thinking that people will be lined up at your door! 😀
VeggieGirl said,
December 21, 2009 @ 11:36 pm
Well I AM a chocoholic, so I’ll gladly have a slice (or two)! 😀
Howard said,
December 21, 2009 @ 11:49 pm
Hello ? I am still waiting outside your door stop going on Twitter!
On a side note, don’t think I’ve ever had red wine in coke so that is quite interesting.
the caked crusader said,
December 22, 2009 @ 12:06 am
Wow – those are some great bakes! I sometimes think it’s only the chocolate OD that gets me through Christmas!!!
Shalaine said,
December 22, 2009 @ 2:00 am
I’m not usually one who craves chocolate either but I wanna reach through my computer and eat one of those yummy looking brownies!!
Erika from The Pastry Chef At Home said,
December 22, 2009 @ 2:59 am
I just enjoyed an espresso with a square of dark chocolate on the side and somehow I still want to lick my computer screen. I am especially ingtrigued by the Chocolate Red Wine Cake. Thank you for posting the recipe for the most interesting one!
Happy Holidays 🙂
deana@lostpastremembered said,
December 22, 2009 @ 3:11 am
Wine an chocolate are awesome together… especially port… I think I’m going to have to try this! Thanks for the great recipe!
Pei-Lin said,
December 22, 2009 @ 6:27 am
OK, just had a choc overdose … Will you save me out of this mess by sparing some of your sweet creations to me?
Very well-done! Love your writing style and talents in the kitchen!! Keep it up!
lisa (dandysugar) said,
December 22, 2009 @ 7:41 am
Beautiful creations. I can’t resist anything chocolate. The chocolate brownies might be my favorite, however, I am also loving the chocolate red wine cake too. Wow, to everything–happy holidays!
Christy said,
December 22, 2009 @ 11:08 am
We should really get that book bridge installation going so we can both purchase more cookbooks. I’m not usually a fan of chocolate either, but a recent surprisingly good hot chocolate from The Pancake Parlor re-ignited my love affair with the rich, dark, and not cloyingly sweet.
I think I’m prepared to kill for those chocolate brownies.
Lauren said,
December 22, 2009 @ 11:56 am
Lots of chocolate is never bad! Everything you’ve got looks mind-blowing, Y! I love it so very very much =D.
Christie @ Fig&Cherry said,
December 22, 2009 @ 12:01 pm
Love the festive cranberries on the brownie, very yummy.
felicia said,
December 22, 2009 @ 12:16 pm
chocolate is one of the best things to bake with!
will you be kind enough to airmail some over to singapore?
hahahaha! 😛 kidding!
those look really amazing though.
anna said,
December 22, 2009 @ 2:54 pm
Ooh I love those brownies! The long slices are so elegant. Also, cranberries, yay!
Steph said,
December 22, 2009 @ 3:00 pm
Mmmm the cranberries on the brownies are such a great touch for Christmas! Next time I’m going to have to try that rather than my fail fudge which didn’t set. Thanks for helping me out with that disaster by the way 😀
Cakelaw said,
December 22, 2009 @ 9:52 pm
OMG – I have to resist the urge to lick the screen – so much chocolate, so little time. I especially love the look of the Reine – a queen of cakes!
Amanda (fatjan) said,
December 22, 2009 @ 10:10 pm
those brownies look sensational! Thanks so much for sharing your thoughts and cooking. Your blog is a joy to read, and I was very excited to meet you in person earlier this month!
Do you have a list anywhere of your favourite and/or most used cookbooks?
cathy x. said,
December 23, 2009 @ 1:34 am
that cake looks tasty! i need to think up something to make with chocolate. they sent us a couple of boxes of the wrong sized chocolate blocks and they’ve all bloomed so we can’t send them back! oh well.. such a pity.. they’re all at my house now mwuahaha!
Neel | Learn Food Photography said,
December 23, 2009 @ 2:50 am
What a beautiful piece of art!!
Your first photograph is very very mouth-watering. It is making me hungry and I am still hours away from lunch time. Like the sharpness in both the first and third photograph. Both these photograph seem to pop-out.
This is just amazing!!
Thank you for sharing.
-Neel
Anita said,
December 23, 2009 @ 8:06 am
I think chocolate dishes must be had this time of year 🙂 Everything looks perfect Y.
shez said,
December 23, 2009 @ 1:52 pm
Merry Christmas Y! And no need for excuses when it comes to baking with chocolate 🙂 Hope you have a lovely lovely break (and aren’t innundated with people knocking at your door, hands open, for a slice of cake!)
Y said,
December 23, 2009 @ 4:17 pm
Thanks everyone, for the comments 🙂
Laura : I think I’ve maybe only made two things from Fran’s book so far. It’s a lovely book, but I’d have to admit it’s not one of my favourites.
Trissa : One day, I just might be brave enough to tell you 😉
Howard : I haven’t had red wine in coke either. Heh heh heh.
Erika : Yes, it’s definitely the most interesting recipe of the three and I’ve been meaning to mention something about it for awhile now – ever since the first time I baked it.
Pei-Lin : Thank you! Very kind of you to say 🙂
Amanda (fatjan) : Oh, where do I start?! I think I might have to send you an email instead!
shez : From the sounds of things, I think you’ve been needing a break more than me.
deeba said,
December 23, 2009 @ 11:37 pm
What a gorgeous array of festive desserts Y! Especially love the brownies with the dried cranberries on top…YUM! I have Claire Clarkes book & love it to bits. It’s absolutely worth owning, and I love that red wine cake. Your blog is a treat. Every single visit is pure joy! Happy holidays Y!!
Hannah said,
December 23, 2009 @ 11:56 pm
What a knock-out! I’m just wrapping up all of my holiday baking and utterly sick of sweets, but I think I could still manage a slice (or two) of this beautiful cake! 😉
steph (whisk/spoon) said,
December 24, 2009 @ 12:55 am
happy holidays, y! i’d love to come over for tea and a brownie…someday!
Thip said,
December 24, 2009 @ 8:10 am
I know, Y. Chocolate has so much impact on my desserts too. 🙂
Happy Holidays!
Aran said,
December 24, 2009 @ 11:10 am
Perfect for the holidays! Beautiful ode to chocolate.
Ivonne said,
December 24, 2009 @ 2:38 pm
Wow. Wow. Wow. Wow. Wow.
Wow.
Spectacular and perfect for the season!
Marisa said,
December 24, 2009 @ 6:04 pm
You definitely caught this chocoholics attention! I’m intrigued by the red wine in it…
Megan@Feasting on Art said,
December 24, 2009 @ 7:51 pm
Oh wow the chocolate looks divine! Those photos went straight to my hips!
grace said,
December 24, 2009 @ 9:53 pm
haven’t given us anything in return for reading? i beg to differ–your pictures, commentary, and awesome recipes are more than enough to keep this gal coming back for more. 🙂
happy holidays!
Forager said,
December 25, 2009 @ 6:35 pm
Although I’m not a massive fan of chocolate myself I have discovered that plenty of people surrounding me are. In fact – everyone else. So I can’t imagine anyone who wouldn’t want – no, correction – would’nt be overjoyed at receiving one of your gorgeous chocolatey creations!
The Purple Foodie said,
December 27, 2009 @ 6:36 pm
I love everything you’ve made! I have Fran’s Pure Chocolate book but have never made anything from it. I’m buying books at a faster pace than I can use! Now I’m going to go back to it and see what I can make… Happy holidays Y! 😀 If there is one blog I’m happy to have discovered this year, it’s got to be yours. 🙂
Arwen from Hoglet K said,
December 27, 2009 @ 8:46 pm
Mulled wine in a chocolate cake sounds superb! Hope you had a good Christmas, and have a happy new year.
Xiaolu @ 6 Bittersweets said,
December 28, 2009 @ 5:54 pm
I’m not a big fan of red wine by itself, but I’m hopeful that I’ll like it as an ingredient. Either way, you did a fantastic job as I’m hungry just looking at these photos. Chocoholism all the way!
Caitlin said,
December 29, 2009 @ 1:13 pm
That chocolate red wine cake has been on my to-bake list for nearly a year – bad Caitlin! I’m eyeing those brownies too though – they look awesome, especially knowing nibs are in them. Love cacao nibs!
Hannah said,
January 3, 2010 @ 1:21 am
Hey, first post here! Woww, mulled wine + cake sounds kind of exciting, may have to make this next time we have people over 🙂 Also I must say the brownies look AMAZING. Adding cacao nibs was a much better idea I think.
Happy new year!
xxx
Leslie said,
January 14, 2010 @ 8:27 am
brownies with cranberries on top sounds so wonderfully festive! And such a wonderful pairing of flavors!
PastryPrincess said,
March 6, 2010 @ 11:48 pm
today i bought 2 different kinds of brownies at the organic market in sydney where i am on holidays at the moment. they had a similar texture like the Paula a. young ones you made – devine! 😉 i like my brownies really moist and chewy, so yummy! i will post them soon…
claire clark said,
May 10, 2010 @ 1:50 am
I love it when people use my book and like the recipes. Thanks
Claire
Y said,
August 10, 2010 @ 12:42 pm
Claire Clark : Your book is fantastic! Thanks for the comment 🙂
S said,
January 30, 2011 @ 12:48 pm
I just made your chocolate red wine cake and it is delicious! I halved the recipe and made it in a loaf pan, and just poured the syrup straight over. It has the spice of red wine but nothing that non-lovers of red wine will hate. Very moist and delicious; thanks for the recipe!