Wednesday, September 1, 2010

Chocolate cake with caramel ganache for my sister's birthday

Chocolate cake with caramel ganache / Bolo de chocolate com ganache de caramelo

Traditions. I did not like them when I was younger, I must tell you that. But I have learned to cherish them over the years – I guess one should get wiser as they get older, right? :)

One of the traditions I hold dearest is baking my sister’s birthday cake - that started several years ago, long before I even knew what a food blog was. And lately I have been sharing these cakes with you, too. But I wasn’t particularly fond of the cake I baked this year – even with Olga’s precious tips the result did not please me; the cake layers were too big, the frosting was too sweet. I got angry and did not photograph it to create a post.

Pichu

But as I’ve told you in the beginning of this text, I like traditions. And the light of my life deserves a birthday cake post. So I baked another cake – much simpler, but delicious – to have her birthday marked here somehow. And a birthday cake calls for candles, don’t you think?

Chocolate cake with caramel ganache / Bolo de chocolate com ganache de caramelo

Happy birthday, Jessica! I wish you all the happiness in the world, since you brought back the happiness I had long lost when you were born.
I love you! xx

Chocolate cake with caramel ganache / Bolo de chocolate com ganache de caramelo

Chocolate cake with caramel ganache
cake from here, ganache from Baked: New Frontiers in Baking

Cake:
2/3 cup + 1 tablespoon (165g) unsalted butter, softened
¾ cup + 2 tablespoons (157g) brown sugar, packed
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 1/3 cups (186g) all purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
3 tablespoons (18g) cocoa powder
pinch of salt
2/3 cup sour cream – I used yogurt
165g dark chocolate, melted and cooled – I used 70% cocoa solids

Caramel ganache:
150g dark chocolate (70% cocoa solids), chopped
1/3 cup (67g) caster sugar
1 tablespoon water
½ tablespoon corn syrup
½ cup (120ml) heavy cream

Start by making the cake: preheat oven to 160°C/320°F. Butter a 20cm round cake pan, line the bottom with baking paper and butter the paper as well.
Place the butter and sugar in the bowl of an electric mixer and beat until light and creamy. Add the eggs, one at a time, and beat well after each addition. Beat in the vanilla. Sift the flour, baking powder, cocoa and salt over the butter mixture, add the sour cream and chocolate, and mix until just combined.
Pour the mixture into prepared pan and bake for 35-40 minutes or until just set and a skewer inserted in the center of the cake comes out clean. Cool in the pan over a wire rack. Carefully unmold onto a place, then invert in onto a serving plate, top side up.

Now, make the ganache: place chocolate in a heatproof small bowl. Set aside.
In a small saucepan, mix the sugar, water and corn syrup, being careful not to splash the mixture on the sides of the pan. Cook over high heat, without stirring, for 4-5 minutes or until golden – keep an eye on the caramel so it doesn’t burn, otherwise it will taste bitter. Meanwhile, in a small saucepan, bring the cream to a boil over medium heat. Remove from heat. When caramel is golden, remove from heat and set aside for 30 seconds. Carefully – because it will bubble like crazy – add the cream to the caramel, mixing for 1 minute. Add this mixture to the chocolate and set aside for 2 minutes. Then, starting by the center of the mixture, stir until ganache is smooth. Allow the ganache to stand for 5-7 minutes before spreading over the top of the cake.

Serves 8

24 comments:

Macu -Tengo un horno y sé cómo usarlo said...

Happy birthday to your sister.
This cake and the ganache are a real must for chocoadict like me.
Love your blog, your recipes and your great photos.
Hugs from Spain.

Xiaolu @ 6 Bittersweets said...

Just the words "caramel ganache" have my heart going faster. Happy bday to your sister. She's lucky to have you :).

Maria♥ said...

Wow, your sister is so lucky. That Chocolate Cake with the caramel ganache looks heavenly!

Maria
x

WendyinKK said...

Happy Birthday Jessica!

Finla said...

Ofcourse a b'day cake calls for candles, you sister is beautiful and Happy birthday to her and she is lucky to have a bid sis like you.

Priya Suresh said...

Stunning chocolate cake with beautiful ganache..Happy birthday to u sister..

Serena@TentarNonNuoce said...

i'm usually happy with being an only child, but when i see things like these, a loving, caring sis who prepares such an amazing cake for her little sis's bd, i'm a bit jealous :D

happy birthday to Jessica!!

that cake looks just amazing Pat!

Abby said...

She is just a cutie! And the cake is a beauty, too. Love those pink candles!

Torviewtoronto said...

Happy birthday
this cake is beautiful and looks delicious

oneordinaryday said...

Wow, that ganache is amazing. I wanna lick the screen, which is just a little gross. haha

Susan from Food Blogga said...

A sweet cake for a sweet girl! :)

The Urban Baker said...

This looks perfectly simple and scrumptious. I am on a mission to make a new kind of cake for mr. urban baker next week and this could be a good source of inspiration! x

The Urban Baker said...

p.s. happy bday, Jessica!

Shabs.. said...

birthday wishes to ur sister...she is one lucky girl....love the cake and theganache as well...simple, but very appealing...

Ria Mathew said...

Beautiful! Please convey my wishes too!

Jessica @ Jessiker Bakes said...

Aww :). And nice cake!! I gave you an award at my blog! Its under the cheesecake brownies post. Go Check it out!

naomi said...

I love chocolate cake. I love the way you made this. The draping of ganache looks wonderful.

Patricia Scarpin said...

Tengo un..., thank you! You are far too kind.
Hugs from Brazil right back at you! :)

Xiaolu, thank you, sweetie! :)
xx

Maria, I am lucky to have her, too. :)
Thank you!

Wendy, thank you!

Happy Cook, thank you very much!

Priya, thank you!

Serena, you are just too sweet, darling!
Thank you!
xoxo

Abby, thank you, sweetie!

Torview, thank you!

One Ordinary..., that ganache is really good, I'm sure you would love it!
:D

Susan, thank you!

Susan, I hope you choose a very delicious recipe so I can keep it for the next birthday in my family! :D
Thank you, my dear!
xoxo

Shabs, thank you!

Ria, thank you very much! I will!

Jessiker, thank you!

Naomi, thank you for stopping by! I'm glad you like it!

Dining and Decor said...

I just found your blog...beautiful photos. And now, I am craving choclate cake!

Spoon and Chopsticks said...

Happy b'day to your sister.

Your cake looks delicious. Send me a piece.

Peggy said...

The cake looks fantastic and Happy Birthday to your little sister!

Patricia Scarpin said...

Dining and Decor, thank you for stopping by!

Spoon and Chopsticks, thank you! ;)

Peggy, thank you!

Patricia Scarpin said...

Dining and Decor, thank you for stopping by!

Spoon and Chopsticks, thank you! ;)

Peggy, thank you!

madhu said...

I am just so thrilled I have met someone who hates it when the cake turns out too sweet!!!!:-)

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