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My Auntie Mame's birthday was yesterday, and for the woman who has everything ,I made her a cake. Yes I knew she would protest( the woman lives in the gym and looks like an older Hallie Berry). But sometimes when shes she not shopping, travelling, working, or working out, she just needs to curl up in her fabulous condo overlooking the lake with a slice of rich chocolate cake, a good magazine , and some coffee.
I used my go to source, Baking:From My Home To Yours, by Dorie Greenspan. Funny, up to a year ago I didn't even know of this woman, but I have been so pleased with all I bake from her book. Some people just have that gift of good recipe writing and making it easy. I followed the recipe exactly which you can find here. The only exception was the use of Cocoa. I used Hershey's Special dark which gave it a deep rich chocolate color and flavor. I loved her Chocolate Malted Butter cream Frosting. I wondered if I messed up at first making the chocolate component but it all came together beautifully and sets beautifully in the refrigerator. 
Decorating was kept simple with white chocolate seas shells. I attempted to melt white chocolate in a double boiler. I got a semi melted crumbly mess. Nevertheless I pressed it into lightly a lightly oiled sea shell silicone tray. I then microwaved it for a brief 20 seconds. Be careful as it can burn easily. I always have issues with white chocolate. Nevertheless the crumbly , non perfect texture was perfect for the realistic seashells. I dusted them lightly with lustre and kept them in the fridge until ready. I assembled the two tires , frosted and adhered the shells. A little extra piping and voila!Off to aunties house it goes.
Decorating was kept simple with white chocolate seas shells. I attempted to melt white chocolate in a double boiler. I got a semi melted crumbly mess. Nevertheless I pressed it into lightly a lightly oiled sea shell silicone tray. I then microwaved it for a brief 20 seconds. Be careful as it can burn easily. I always have issues with white chocolate. Nevertheless the crumbly , non perfect texture was perfect for the realistic seashells. I dusted them lightly with lustre and kept them in the fridge until ready. I assembled the two tires , frosted and adhered the shells. A little extra piping and voila!Off to aunties house it goes.I want to take this moment to announce I am now the Chicago Cooking Examiner for Examiner.com.Chicago. Be sure to support me and check out my columns. There will be some material from the blog, but the articles are more tweaked to living , cooking, and shopping in Chicago and all of the cities resources. If you want more detailed info and decorating tips check out the latest column about this cake.
25 comments:
Lovely cake and congrats on the Examiner deal!!!
Beautiful cake. It looks divine and I'm sure that it tastes good too.
It's fun to read your posts both here and in Examiner. Well done! :)
Wow, that cake looks terrific! Congrats! I'll go and have a look there...
Cheers,
Rosa
Gorgeous cake. congrats on the new job!!
Congrats on the new job good for you. Lovely looking cake. What an active woman your aunt sounds like!!!
I feel like having something sweet right now and I am sure that this will hit the right spot!
Oh Courtney, you've outdone yourself here! This is melt-in-your-mouth beautiful. And congratulations on your column! I just checked it out and it's beautifully written. Kudos!
What a lucky Aunt you've got! Can there be a better present than a homemade cake? And yours is so very, very beautiful. I hope she loved it!
Now, I know where you get all that energy from. I'm sure your aunt relished every bite. The cake looks so tempting I can hardly contain myself!
Loved the article. GREAT job Courtney. Congratulations. Watch your waists Chicago!
CONGRATULATIONS!!! That's just great news about the Examiner. Gorgeous cake, too. My Christmas present this year was the Greenspan book. I'm loving it!
I'm sorry I've been MIA - family stuff has been challenging lately.
I love Hershey's Special Dark! I need to make this cake - your looks so good! Congrats again!
Now, THAT'S a birthday cake! Happy birthday to your aunt and congratulations on your new position.
Paz
Happy Birthday to Auntie Mame and I simply love your new banner!
LL
P.S. Congrats on your new endeavor!
Very elegant cake - perfect for a birthday!
That cake is so beautiful.
Congrats on your new column!
So pretty and delicious...hard to resist!
Congrats on your new gig!
Congratulations on the new gig!!!!
That's great news, Courtney! Good work. And great cake.
Congratulations on your new column and Happy Belated Birthday wishes to your aunt. The cake looks decadent.
What a beautiful birthday cake!! I would love it if someone made that for me.
Congrats on the column-- that's really amazing.
C-town, I love those sea shells and they make a nice decor for the cake.
Congrats on the column...I'm a fan from ago.
Woo hoo! Congratulations Courtney :) It must be amazing to have your own column.
You did a really good job with the shells - I thought they were real!
By the way, you gave me wonderful cake deco ideas. It's just that I am in no way equipped to bake anyone a wedding cake. Now my procrastination has led to a very special hell.
Sorry about the vent.
Congratulations Courtney - you must be over the top - what a great score. Somebody should be making you that cake to celebrate.
Congratulations on your good news.
Love that cake, your aunt must have been thrilled, even if it did mean she had to work a bit harder in the gym.
OMG Courtney that cake looks incredible!! Was this the same aunt where you had the Indian dinner with Nick? And congratulations again on the writing gig :)
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