This past weekend I was able to get together with a bunch of friends for lunch and some catching up. My friend's husband made us the best curry and bulgogi (Seriously, to die for- I have to get the recipes), and I really wanted to provide dessert. You see, get togethers give me the chance to make treats that I have on my "to-make" list, and I usually knock out at least 3 at a time.
So, then I had to decide what was going to be made. The almost rotten bananas and overload of peaches made two of the choices easy, but on the third I was going back and forth. I had seen a post for this Dorie/Barefoot Contessa combo dessert (here on Smells like Home and also here on Slow Like Honey) and everywhere else and knew it couldn't miss. How could combining Dorie and Ina go wrong? Especially when you are mixing choco and pb? If you only make one dessert in your life, make this Cocoa Cake with Peanut Butter Frosting. It was divine. I made cupcakes because they are easier to feed more people and not as hard to transport.
The Peach Pie is a no-bake filling and super easy, plus it is delicious. It is a recipe from a family friend, from my childhood that we make every year when the peaches are ripe. Everyone thought they would just have a half a slice, but it was the first thing that disappeared.
The Banana Bundt was wonderful as well. I made it the night before as Dorie suggested and wrapped it in plastic wrap over night and drizzled the icing right before we got in the car. It was so much fun to see old friends and eat yummy food. I think I try to eat healthy at breakfast, lunch and dinner, so I can enjoy delicious treats like this a few times a week. Yummy! (Exercise helps too)
Cocoa Buttermilk Birthday Cake with Peanut Butter Frosting
Peanut Butter frosting recipe follows
To make the cake: Whisk together the flour, cocoa, baking powder, baking soda and salt.
Working with a stand mixer, preferably fitted with a paddle attachment, or with a hand mixer in a large bowl, beat the butter on medium speed until soft and creamy. Add the sugar and beat for about 2 minutes, until it is thoroughly blended into the butter. Add the eggs one at a time, then the yolks one by one, beating for 1 minute after each addition and scraping down the sides and bottom of the bowl as needed. Beat in the vanilla. Reduce the mixer speed to low and add the dry ingredients alternately with the buttermilk; add the dry ingredients in 3 portions and the buttermilk in 2 (begin and end with the dry ingredients); mix only until each new batch is blended into the batter. Scrape down the bowl and, if you want, add the melted chocolate, folding it in with a rubber spatula. Divide the batter between the cake pans.
Bake for 26 to 30 minutes (I baked the minis for about 14 minutes and the other cupcakes for 19 minutes), or until the cakes feel springy to the touch and start to pull away from the sides of the pans. Transfer the cakes to racks and cool for about 5 minutes, then run a knife around the sides of the cakes, unmold them and peel off the paper liners. Invert and cool to room temperature right side up.
To Assemble the Cake: Place one layer top side up on a cardboard round or a cake plate protected by strips of wax or parchment paper. Frost the top of the layer, and sprinkle the smashed up peanut butter cups inside. Be careful to not overload the inside with peanut butter cups or else it will look uneven when you place the top layer.
Next, cover with the second layer, top side down. Frost the sides and top of the cake, either smoothing the frosting for a sleek look or using a spatula, knife or spoon to swirl it for a more exuberant look. Press the remaining peanut butter cups around the sides of the frosted cake, and if you want you can sprinkle them on top too.
Refrigerate the cake for at least 1 hour (or for up to 1 day, if that’s more convenient) to set the frosting, then bring it to room temperature before serving.
Peanut Butter frosting: from The Barefoot Contessa
18 comments:
Your friends were very lucky to be able to enjoy your desserts. That peanut butter frosting is to die for! All your pictures are gorgeous!!
Thanks for the award!
Wow, when you bake you go all out, don't you? They all look delicious!
This all sounds so wonderful, I really do think you are getting the best food of anyone out there. I've made the buttermilk cake, and I even frosted it with my own PB frosting, but mine was not pretty. I just frosted with a knife and your piped ones look sooo good. I have to make cupcakes for the YW and YM so I'm definitely going to make it your way with little mini on top and piped frosting. The peach pie looks so good and guess what? We made your peach ice cream and we are in heaven. It's so yummy. I thought I'd make the cinnamon wontons too, but haven't got there yet and now ice cream is almost gone. I've made Dorie's banana cake too but now I want to make it again and I've got four bananas that are iffy at the moment. A couple more days should do the trick.
Look at all of those desserts! I am drooling. I keep telling myself I am going to be better and not eat sweets but I just can't do it! I love them too much! Your spread looks great! I am glad you had fun with your friends.
Hey! Glad you are going to try pretzels! I would do Bobby's version. We like both, they are very similar but Bobby's were a little softer and the cheese sauce Josh made this last time is killer! Good luck. Let me know if you have any other questions!! I also recommend doing some cinnamon sugar ones with a little glaze, they are delicious!
I think I just gained 5 pounds. These all look out of this world. I love the way your cupcakes turned out! I have been wanting to try that frosting. I have to start piping frosting...it looks so pretty!
Congrats on your awards by the way!
:)
My goodness, I would have the worst time picking which one to try first! Your friends are incredibly lucky to have you at their parties.
Loving ALL these recipes. You are so talented girl! It all looks fantastic!
What a lucky group of friends! Those treats look so decadently delicious. The pictures are so enticing...Drool..Drool...
You're amazing! I love these treats!
I just had to pick my tongue up off the floor and roll it back up into my mouth because I was drooling that much at those photos!!!!
What amazing recipes your presentation is beautiful, those frostings look so thick and creamy YUM.
Ummm...Mary Ann, Will you marry me? :)
Thanks so much for your visit to my blog! The Oreo Turkeys would be very cute for a Thanksgiving Birthday!
I dont think I have visited you blog before..it os wonderful..great photos and great food!!!
Umm Jake, you are super sweet, but that would be breaking the law. You know I will make you breakfast, lunch, dinner, snack, or dessert of your choice at any time. I am even willing to bring it to you. Just let me know
Love ya!
p.s. how is the pesto pizza coming along?
And, I am already happily married!
I am drooling. I at 5 cupcakes that day, one at 3 am. It was SOOO good. Seriously. I'm working on a marketing plan for you. You're a flippin' baking genius!
I am so glad that you put those recipes on there, I was going to call you to get them. Thanks for coming and bringing those to die for desserts.
I stumbled upon this blog months ago and made a note to try to make the birthday cake with peanut frosting. The frosting was fabulous. The cake I had really high hopes for, and followed every step by the book. I only baked it for 20 minutes, checked it, and put it back in for three. I let it cool in the pan for about 10 min, then flipped it onto a cool counter top. The texture was so dry, that one completely split in half! The other I was barely able to save, but if it didn't cost me $40 for the ingredients, I would have thrown it out, it was so dry. I hoped for a better outcome. Maybe I left it in the oven a couple minutes too long? Anyways, just sharing my experience with this recipe. Hope others turn out better!
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