My Birthday Cake

Ok, so we're bad at this.

The funny thing is, every time we cook something I try to take pictures. Unfortunately we cook at night when the lighting is poor, or I'll forget to take pictures during a pretty step and end up with a picture of dirty dishes instead.

...I also forget to post...

Anyways. Happy birthday to me. Let's bake a cake
.

Not just any cake, chocolate cake. Not just any chocolate cake, chocolate cake with alcohol in it.

I also put almonds in the middle.

They were wonderful.

Enjoy!

I did.

Chocolate Amaretto Cake
(adapted from Gourmet)

* 3 ounces semisweet chocolate
* 1 1/2 cups hot brewed coffee
* 3 cups sugar
* 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
* 1 1/2 cups unsweetened cocoa powder (not Dutch process)
* 2 teaspoons baking soda
* 3/4 teaspoon baking powder
* 1 1/4 teaspoons salt
* 3 large eggs
* 3/4 cup vegetable oil
* 1 cup well-shaken buttermilk
* 1/2 cup amaretto
* 3/4 teaspoon vanilla

To make the cake
Preheat oven to 300°F. and grease two 10-inch cake pans ( made it in two 9 inch and had a little mini cake too). Line bottoms with rounds of wax paper and grease paper.

Finely chop chocolate and in a bowl combine with hot coffee. Let mixture stand, stirring occasionally, until chocolate is melted and mixture is smooth.

Into a large bowl sift together sugar, flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.
In another large bowl with an electric mixer beat eggs until thickened slightly.
Slowly add oil, buttermilk, vanilla, and melted chocolate mixture to eggs, beating until combined well.
Add sugar mixture and beat on medium speed until just combined well.
Divide batter between pans and bake in middle of oven until a tester inserted in center comes out clean, 1 hour to 1 hour and 10 minutes.


Amaretto Whipped Cream Frosting

* 1 Pint Heavy Cream
* 1 Tsp Sugar
* 1 Glog of vanilla
* Amaretto (as much as you please)

Put all ingredients in a chilled bowl and mix with a hand mixer or a whisk (poor you...) until whipped cream is formed.


This cake was REALLY good, and I'm not saying that because I made it. I plan on using this chocolate cake recipe until someone forces me to use another one (sorry mom).

Clearly even the batter was good

Happy cooking (or baking)

Leah