Tuesday, May 10, 2011

Interpretive Cake

remnants, 2011

Have I already told you about this cake? Everyday Chocolate Cake? It is one of my two favorite cakes. The other is this wonderful Almond Cake. There is a close third I must mention as well, Rosemary Olive Oil Cake, another simple, lovely, unfrosted creation. All three cake recipes have been interpreted to suit each maker and I like that. I believe it is something that has always gone on with recipes, but the internet has really escalated things. Recipes as inspiration versus a set of rules. It's a good thing.

Deb of Smitten Kitchen's post on Everyday Chocolate Cake has generated more discussion than any other post I've ever seen on any blog. She adapted this cake recipe from Alyssa of Magnolia Bakery. The last time I checked Deb's post it had received 509 comments. It seems people have strong feelings about chocolate cake.

I made it following Deb's recipe twice, once at home and once at my dad's, and on both occasions it was great. Only one note, both times (two different ovens) it cooked way faster than Deb's recipe notes, closer to 40-45 minutes.

The last time I made this fabulous and apparently very forgiving cake I made several changes to the original recipe. Some were an attempt to make it a bit healthier and some were based on the use what is in your cupboard philosophy. I used only 1/2 the sugar, my egg randomly had two yolks, I used 6 oz. non-fat yogurt + 2 oz. 1% milk in place of 8 oz. buttermilk, and I used King Arthur white whole wheat flour. I baked this one for about 45 minutes. I'd check it at 40 minutes next time. I think I cooked it just a few minutes too long. My oven runs super hot, so I set it to 300 degrees versus 325.

You should try all of these cakes, make them your own. I suggest you make the chocolate first. Enjoy.

26 comments:

  1. Who DOESN'T have strong opinions on chocolate cake? Nom nom nom.....

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  2. Today is a perfect day for chocolate cake.

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  3. I love fuss-free, frosting-less cake, which is why I have a penchant for the Bundt pan. I've tried Deb's chocolate cake, but it came out dry. Maybe I'll give it another shot and fiddle with the temperature. As for the rosemary cake, it's just waiting for the bush outside the house to look presentable.

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  4. I'll rush to get my comment in here before those 509 people google the chocolate cake and follow it over here in a frenzy of opinion. It looks absolutely delicious, a perfect teatime chocolate loaf.

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  5. How much can really be said about chocolate cake? Now I know. Well, at least it's a worthy topic.

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  6. Mmm, Olive cake... Sounds delightfully savory.

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  7. I have made Deb's chocolate cake twice and I loved it! It is one of the best everyday cakes with chocolate out there.

    Deep color and flavor (I always use Dutch-processed cocoa).
    I'll give the other two cakes a try. Thanks for the suggestions Denise.
    Magda

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  8. I'm so excited to try out each of these. This weekend is the chocolate cake weekend...thank you, Denise.

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  9. I'm a strong adherent of the use-whatcha-got philosophy, and have learned that the science of cake baking--thankfully-leaves a lot of room for improv and variation. (and everybody's oven works differently.)

    I'll have to check out the Smitten version--I read her blog, but that one eluded me.
    Rosemary Olive Oil Cake appeals right now.

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  10. Mmmmm sounds great! I'll definately try these :-)

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  11. Do you know, I was just in the mood for a little something. While reading your post, I discovered what it was. Thank you for an inspiring (and delicious) post!

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  12. These "everyday" cakes are just the right bite for, well, every day. They all sound delicious.

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  13. first tomatoes...snd now you have me dreaming of chocolate cake. Quit that! ;)

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  14. I think cake-baking is in my future for tomorrow! - you've made me hungry for it. I haven't tried Deb's Everyday Chocolate Cake. Think I'll at least have to sift through those 500+ comments - I do love a good conversation.

    Great idea, substituting white whole wheat flour.

    I love that olive oil cake, too.

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  15. i sure will! maybe for my birthday this weekend - it would be perfect...

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  16. Thanks for inspiring me to be more adventurous to try new things out. I absolutely love the chocolate cake and the almond one too but have yet to try the olive oil one. At the moment I'm experimenting with lots of different types of flour and grains and find it exciting. I have a day off tomorrow and am in the mood for cake.

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  17. Mmmm, I am not a chocolate fan but that almond cake, yum!! I love almond cake of any kind.

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  18. Thanks for your comments, everyone.

    Rachael, I cut the cooking time WAY back. That might help make it less dry. Mine was done in 40-45 minutes, versus the 60-70 minutes suggested in the recipe. It shifts from batter-on-the-knife/cake tester to DONE very quickly.

    Nix, It's actually olive "oil" cake, not olive cake, but I did make some wonderful olive cookies recently. You can check them out here: http://chezdanisse.blogspot.com/2011/04/know-thyself.html

    Magda, I agree, this cake is such a rich beautiful color. I use the Dutch processed cocoa too (Valrhona 100%).

    Raina, I like almond anything.

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  19. [restore]

    Rachel said...

    first tomatoes...and now you have me dreaming of chocolate cake. Quit that! ;)

    May 11, 2011 7:15 PM

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    Michele | Cooking At Home said...

    These "everyday" cakes are just the right bite for, well, every day. They all sound delicious.

    May 11, 2011 5:12 PM

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    A Day That is Dessert said...

    I think cake-baking is in my future for tomorrow! - you've made me hungry for it. I haven't tried Deb's Everyday Chocolate Cake. Think I'll at least have to sift through those 500+ comments - I do love a good conversation.

    Great idea, substituting white whole wheat flour.

    I love that olive oil cake, too.

    May 11, 2011 8:28 PM

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    WSAKE said...

    i sure will! maybe for my birthday this weekend - it would be perfect...

    May 12, 2011 4:38 AM

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  23. [restore]

    Emily Vanessa said...

    Thanks for inspiring me to be more adventurous to try new things out. I absolutely love the chocolate cake and the almond one too but have yet to try the olive oil one. At the moment I'm experimenting with lots of different types of flour and grains and find it exciting. I have a day off tomorrow and am in the mood for cake.

    May 12, 2011 7:28 AM

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  24. [restore]

    RW said...

    mmm. cake.
    this weekend.

    May 12, 2011 7:33 AM

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  25. Rachel, But don't you need a little chocolate cake?

    Emily Vanessa, I'd love to know what you think of the olive oil rosemary cake.

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