Wednesday, December 26, 2012

Bake 52: Week 52

I cannot believe it is week 52! I cannot believe this year is over! And I cannot believe all of the amazing things that I baked this year!
For our last week, we baked 
Thick and Chewy Triple Chocolate Chip Cookies
This picture was taken on my phone and isn't so much in focus. I am sure other bakers got much better shots to give you a better idea of what these look like!
I made these a couple of weeks ago, knowing that Christmas week would be super busy. I was trying to find something fun for the kids to do one night and we decided to make cookies.  This was the perfect chance to try these out!  
So they are triple chocolate:  cocoa in the dough, melted chocolate in the dough, and chocolate chips in the dough.  Sounds amazing, right?
These were too sweet for me.  I almost felt like I didn't know who I was anymore - my motto is "there's never too much chocolate" and suddenly there was.  I could only eat one cookie.  And didn't want to eat the entire bowl of dough.
So...my conclusion is that I was either  coming down with a horrible case of something and my tastebuds weren't working properly....or they are just a little too rich for me.  I'm anxious to see what everyone else thought of it.
Hope everyone had a Merry Christmas!  I am looking forward to our Dinner Group for 2013!
Check out Janet's blog for the reicpe!

Wednesday, December 19, 2012

Bake 52: Week 51

This week's pick was Biscotti
The recipe was Almond Biscotti, but there were different variations.  Like most of the bakers this week, the chocolate chip definitely sounded the best to me!
 My grandma's cute little old friend used to always make Biscotti for Christmas - I always think of her this time of year.  It was fun to have this today!
And I loved all of the pictures of the Biscotti with hot chocolate - which I need to try tonight. I am sure dipping it is yum, however it was also super yum partnered up with an icy cold diet coke!  But then again, what isn't?
Thanks, Emily, for picking this recipe!  Check out her blog for the recipe.
Merry Christmas to all!!
 

Tuesday, December 11, 2012

Bake 52: Week 49

This week it is my turn to host again....the last time for Bake 52 this year.
I decided for my last baking host-age (to be read as the act of being a host, not being held as a hostage) that I wanted to try the jelly roll. I have never made one. Or a pumpkin roll. Or anything else that you roll in like manner.  But then I turned the page and decided if we were going to roll a cake, the one to make would be the 
Glazed Chocolate Cream Roll
First off I must say that making this cake reminded me sooooo much of the ice cream cake from The Milky Way - the bestest litle diner shop growing up.  Amanda - come on, you've got to have these secret recipes for us!  I am going to try using this same cake and doing ice cream rather than marshmallow cream. I think we might just have a new favorite birthday cake around here!

As the recipe was, though, it was delicious!  As I started to bake and realized that there was not a lot of flour called for in this cake (3/4 cup), I decided to try it gluten-free.  So I subbed in 3/4 cup of Pamela's Baking Mix for the flour.  I was prepared to have it totally fall apart when I started to roll it, because that's what happens when things are gluten free. And I already had a plan - fill a bowl with the cake chunks and they could still be enjoyed, and start a new cake with regular flour.
How delightedly surprised I was when it rolled PERFECTLY!  
We all really loved this cake!  And here's why: Chocolate cake, Marshmallow filling, Chocolate glaze.

Glazed Chocolate Cream Roll
America's Test Kitchen Family Baking Book pg. 258
You'll need an 18X13-inch rimmed baking sheet for this cake.  We prefer a stiffer marshmallow creme in this filling, such as Jet-Puffed or Fluff.  Be sure to have the filling ready by the time the cake is finished baking; if the baked cake sits around for longer than 15 minutes before filling, it will become too stiff to roll.

CAKE:
3/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 cup Dutch-processed cocoa powder
1 tsp. baking powder
1/4 tsp. salt
5 large eggs, room temperature
3/4 cup granulated sugar
1/2 tsp. vanilla extract

FILLING:
6 Tbsp. (3/4 stick) unsalted butter, softened
2/3 cup confectioners' sugar
1 1/4 cups marshmallow creme (see note above)
3/4 tsp. vanilla extract
1/8 tsp. salt

GLAZE:
1/3 cup heavy cream
2 Tbsp. light corn syrup
4 oz. bittersweet chocolate, chopped
1/4 tsp. vanilla extract

For the Cake: Adjust an oven rack to the lower-middle position and heat the oven to 350 degrees.  Grease an 18X13-inch rimmed baking sheet, line the bottom with parchment paper, and grease the parchment.  
 Whisk the flour, cocoa, baking powder, and salt together in a medium bowl.

In a large bowl, whip the eggs with an electric mixer on medium-high speed and gradually add the sugar and then the vanilla, about 1 minute.  Continue to whip the mixture until very thick and voluminous, 4-8 minutes.
Sift the flour mixture over the egg mixture and fold in with a rubber spatula until just incorporated.
 Scrape the batter into the prepared baking sheet and spread out to an even layer.  Bake the cake until it feels firm and springs back when touched, 12-17 minutes, rotating the pan halfway through baking.
 For the Filling: Meanwhile, beat the butter and sugar together in a medium bowl with an electric mixer on medium speed until fluffy, about 2 minutes.  Beat in the marshmallow creme, vanilla, and salt until incorporated, about 2 minutes.
Remove the cake from the oven, run a knife around the edge of the cake to loosen it, then flip the hot cake onto a large sheet of greased parchment paper.  Peel off and discard the parchment paper baked onto the cake.  Starting from a short end of the cake, roll the cake and parchment snugly into a log and let cool for 15 minutes.

Gently unroll the cake. Spread the filling over the cake, leaving a 1/2" border at the edges. 
  Reroll the cake gently but snugly around the filling, leaving the parchment behind as you roll.   Trim the ends of the cake, then let it cool compltely, about 30 minutes.
 For the Glaze:  Transfer the cake to a wire rack set over a parchment-lined rimmed baking sheet.  Microwave all of the ingredients together, whisking often, until melted and smooth, 1-2 minutes.  Pour the warm glaze evenly over the cake, letting it drip down the sides, and refrigerate until the glaze has set, about 1 hour.  Transfer the cake to a cake platter before serving.
 For the Glaze:  Transfer the cake to a wire rack set over a parchment-lined rimmed baking sheet.  Microwave all of the ingredients together, whisking often, until melted and smooth, 1-2 minutes.  Pour the warm glaze evenly over the cake, letting it drip down the sides, and refrigerate until the glaze has set, about 1 hour.  Transfer the cake to a cake platter before serving.

Wednesday, December 5, 2012

Bake 52: Week 48

Large Danish Braid
What a fun recipe to try!  I was sold when I saw that this had glaze AND icing.  You seriously can't go wrong with that!  Danish dough is a reeeeaaaallllllly long process, but you end up with flaky, sweet, pastry crust.  There were a few options for filling, I chose to do cream cheese and raspberry - again, a great combination - can't go wrong!  This turned out really good. I am not sure if I would commit as much time as it took again, but I think you could make something very similar with an easier dough.  It just wouldn't be as flaky.  I highly recommend trying this out - check out Jen O's blog for the recipe!