Armagnac Chocolate Cake ~ TWD
4 Mar
The family says “It smells divine.” Actually, in this particular case family is defined as my almost 19 year old daughter. The aroma of chocolate baking in the oven truly is one of the answers to those life questions. What smell does it for you? For me, warm chocolate and there is one small little smell, a puppy’s breath. Is that weird?
Then I did a little poking around the internet. I remembered reading another blog around Valentine’s Day about foods that are thought to bring about feelings of love. You guessed it, prunes is among those foods listed. You are welcome to read the list if you are curious. Then I found the Armagnac Primer in the New Yorker Magazine here where I learned there definitely is an art to sipping Armagnac, among other points. When searching for the appropriate cognac for this cake I questioned my local wine & spirits shop about its flavor, a determining factor for acquisition. I have acquired quite a collection over time. Dawn was hilarious, after she giggled she told me it tasted like gasoline. Anyway, I giggled too as she explained to me its high alcohol content was definitely handy for the flambe we were doing with this cake. First it was learning about the flavor of this cognac and then the price. Of course after I picked myself up off the floor I realized I would most definitely be using the brandy I had in my cabinet. After all, this cake wants 2 ounces. Enough for a fun flambe of the prunes. Yes, it does have them. What a luscious, velvety result complimenting the bittersweet chocolate with depth of flavor, richness and the all important moist texture.
Yesterday was a baking day, which I loved. First there was a carrot cake, followed by the much anticipated and thank you so very much Lyb of And Then I Do the Dishes, for finally choosing the lovely Armagnac Chocolate Cake. This cake was selected from Baking From My Home to Yours, by Dorie Greenspan. My last little project was Dorie’s cheescake we made earlier and I varied it as a Chocolate Marble with Oreo crust. Don’t worry all the delicious calories are going elsewhere. I was reminded by the little voice in my head plus the other swim suit wearing, spring break going, college age, female people, oh yea that half-iron man training middle aged male person, that we just can’t afford to have this delicious kind of food around the house each week. Like they think they can tell me what to do……ha ha ha. One can usually locate some willing donors.
After a little shopping outing today in St. Louis, we returned to the home for dessert. An inquiry was made about whether this weeks selection was going “somewhere else” or could we have some of it. I remarked “oh, you probably won’t like it.” Have you tried telling your picky children that the dessert they are about to eat has prunes in the ingredients list? Yea right! Regardless, I set about cutting a piece for Corbin to photograph. I left it sitting about, turned my back and listened momentarily as I heard the silverware drawer open and close. After a few moments, my daughter said “Mom why did you think I wouldn’t like this? It’s really good!” Secretly I giggled never admitting my reasons.
We really liked it so much and I think it will find a nice place among the list of chocolate tortes “for friends.” I would love sharing this and will definitely make it again. Remember, its possess items on the list of foods of love. I hope you enjoyed yours too.
This recipe selection comes from Tuesdays With Dorie baking group, selected by the wonderful baker Lyb of And Then I Do the Dishes, where she has graciously added the recipe to her post. So…Go Ahead, stop by and get it. Its is totally worth the calories.
Off to the gym!
Thank you for coming by for a visit. Don’t forget that this weekend is Daylights Savings Time, right? So, you will definitely need to squeeze in a little more shut-eye now and then.
Sounds like there was quite a bit of baking going on there recently. The cake looks wonderful, and that cheesecake you made sounds outrageously good!
prunes=aphrodisiac? Well in that case… tehehe. Forget the prune cake. Tell me where I can find the cheesecake blog post instead! That oreo crust sounds delish!
Clara @ iheartfood4thought
Your cake looks gorgeous! Sounds like you’ve been quite busy in the kitchen!
Wasn’t this a fun cake? We loved it here too.
Beautiful cake. Daughters always surprise you. Does she know now about the prunes. And you baked my two other favorites. Carrot and Cheese cake. Yummy!
mmm….sounds like a pretty good baking day! love that you didn’t squeal about the prunes–your cake looks so good, anyone would love a slice!
I had no idea prunes were an aphrodisiac! You’ve been busy baking up a storm! I thought this was an amazing cake too.
Love this post! I think I might need to start signing off every post with “off to the gym!” Because if that’s not where I’m going, it should be. I think that I am going to keep the secret ingredient in this cake to myself too. It’s kind of a fun little secret to have, don’t you think? We though this cake was wonderful, too, and I will definitely make it again. I’m so glad that you enjoyed it! You have been a busy baker!
You are a baking machine – wow! I also loved this cake, and would agree that the prunes in the recipe can be our little secret.
Well, your cake looks divine too!
That sounds like a fun day of baking; Oreo cheesecake sounds sounds incredibly decadent but amazingly delicious. What a nice surprise that your family liked this cake.
Your cake looks amazing – I can’t wait to try it! I actually LIKE prunes, so that part doesn’t bother me…
Hmmm, come to think of it, I didn’t tell my family it had prunes in it either. Oops! (wink, wink)
Yours looks fantastic!
HAHA! Off to the gym! I love it. Your blog is so fun to read. It is like reading a good friend’s dessert diary adventures. Great stories.
I used Amaretto and dates in mine. It tasted fine, but now I am thinking of raisins next time.
btw, don’t you love Dorie’s cheesecake recipe? It is fabulous! That recipe alone is worth the price of the book.
Have a good weekend darling!