Cake recipe needed

[ellie]

I think Duncan HInes cake mixes turn out really well. Nellie, is that blasphemy?

Heidi, I think those mixes aren't bad either! I've used this cake recipe (but not the frosting part) with a Duncan Hines mix, and it got rave reviews for DH's birthday. It turns out more chocolatey than other chocolate cake recipes I've made from scratch. :huh: I add mini chocolate chips instead, as other reviewers suggested.

http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/recip ... ews/103028

Nellie, that cake from that Dorie Greenspan cookbook looks yummy. I was browsing through her cupcake recipes the other day at the bookstore. They all looked so good.

man - you guys have been busy while I've been sitting outside at my stupid garage sale all day.

I vote mexican chocolate cake, b/c mexican chocolate is my FAVORITE kind of chocolate in the world.

And yes, duncan hines IS blasphemy. I do use it doctored w/a T of meringue powder and a T of almond extract for my cupcakes though.

[Stella]

I would think so- I'm sure you have a hispanic market somewhere near you!

the OTHER extremely Mexican cake is Tres Leches which is also habit forming.

Jenn

My favorite Cuban restaurant here makes Tres Leches to die for... I am never allowed to learn to make this...

[DCJenn]

(mentally noting Jenn P's affinity for Mexican chocolate in case she's my Secret Santa next year)

hmmmmm.

J.

[ellie]

And yes, duncan hines IS blasphemy. I do use it doctored w/a T of meringue powder and a T of almond extract for my cupcakes though.

Guess I'm a blasphemer.

Jenn, how does the meringue powder affect it? Lighter texture?

I vote mexican chocolate cake, b/c mexican chocolate is my FAVORITE kind of chocolate in the world.

making mental note


ellie -- I really like the book. It is one worth buying, IMO.

sorry Ellie.

yes - it makes it lighter. The almond extract helps, but I always feel like I can taste that it's a boxed cake.

[ellie]

No worries, Jenn. I've probably become densensitized from eating one too many birthday cupcakes in the kindergarten classroom. :P

Nellie, I'm seeing a trip back to the bookstore in the near future -- even though I've been telling myself that I really don't need another cookbook. You'll have to tell me which ones are the must try recipes.

I've only tried a few but I love her introductions and little features. The recipes look well-written --- not the sort where you say "okaaaaay, I'll try it". While you're there, take a look at The Sweet Life by Kate Zuckerman. That is another I would like to buy.

[Vanquisher]

Mexican chocolate cake is in the oven, and the batter is very, very tasty!

I used a boxed devil's food mix. Sorry, Jenn! I think they turn out fine, and in fact, most of the time better th

I added 2 Tbsp of ground ancho chiles, 1/2 tsp of almond extract, and a pinch of cayenne.

I'll let you know how it all turns out!

Did you put in cinnamon?

Thank you for experimenting for us. You are selfless!

I'm going to ask my mom to bring me some ancho powder. Much easier to find in Denver than here.

[Vanquisher]

No, I didn't put in any cinnamon. I'm going to leave that all to the icing. I liked it without it in the cake, and my husband didn't want it in there either. It's his cake too, I guess. His birthday is Monday.

That's right...I forgot about the frosting.

[Vanquisher]

Hmmm. You couldn't taste the peppers in the chocolate last night. There was no heat to it. It was there Saturday, but why not last night?

It was still tasty, but not really with that little extra something, somthing.