I realize this is an enormous claim. This also happens to be an enormous cake. No word of a lie. It must be 6 or 8 inches high and 2.5 kilos at least. And stellar tasting.
I was thinking (I do that sometimes) that I would like to have a very nice present for my friend ALH, who was called to the Bar for the very first time last week. When I was called to the Alberta Bar, ALH and CRW bought me lunch which included the traditional Third Bar Call Chocolate Cake with Red and Green Sprinkles. By the third time you get called to the bar, you're a touch less idealistic and a touch more jaded than you were the first time, so red & green sprinkles are plenty festive. As this call was ALH's first, I thought something more flashy was in order. I broke out my precious container of little silver ball thingies. These are not the crap ones you get at the grocery store. They are the real thing. Imported from Britain and everything. The little silver ball thingies are not what made the cake special, although they were pretty festive looking. What made this cake special was the incredible denseness and moistness of it. I have never had such a dense and moist cake before. Even 5 days later, when we recycled the last of it for ALH's birthday, it was still perfect and fudgy and moist.
I used this recipe from Epicurious and made the following adjustments to it:
- substituted sour cream for the buttermilk
- added 3/4 teaspoon very good quality cinnamon
- doubled the vanilla
- used organic eggs, oil, milk, flour and cocoa
Additionally, I used this recipe for frosting instead of the ganache which, in my opinion, would have made this cake far too rich to eat. This frosting uses less butter than traditional frosting and always gets rave reviews no matter what I out it on. I made the exact amount called for in my pistachio cupcakes post and it was the perfect amount to fill and frost the cake without having to glob on a huge thick layer.
The addition of coffee and cinnamon gives the chocolate a real depth that wouldn't you otherwise get. The oil provides the basis for the amazing moistness.
Oh yum. You cannot beat a good fudgy moist chocolate cake!
Posted by: AugustusGloop | August 07, 2005 at 07:33 PM
I've used that recipe myself, for both layer cakes and cupcakes, and it is my hands-down favorite. You have excellent taste, m'dear.
Posted by: Molly | August 07, 2005 at 08:34 PM
mmmmm chocolate cake!!!
That sure is a great looking cake!
Posted by: clare eats | August 07, 2005 at 09:05 PM
OMG! OMG! I could eat ALL of that, right now! Hmm, maybe I should have lunch first...:-)
Posted by: Zarah Maria | August 08, 2005 at 03:15 AM
I can think of one way it could be even better - like if right now it was sitting next to me at my desk!
Posted by: Becks & Posh | August 08, 2005 at 12:01 PM
I think this cake deserves that title, Lyn. I've been making Wacky Cake (you know- the kind with vinegar?) lately, and it's good, but this is a proper chocolate cake that deserves respect. And most definitely seconds....mmmmmmm.
Posted by: Moira | August 10, 2005 at 09:10 AM
The silver thingies are draggee's and please explain the call to the bar thingy. In California and most US states. You take a bar prep class after law school. The class is around six weeks and then you sit for 2-3 grueling full days and wrack your brain trying to remember everything you learned in the class( not law school). Then 5 months later you find out if you pass. I dont understand " call to the bar" what does that mean?
Posted by: Randi | August 15, 2005 at 07:09 PM
and wow, thats some chocolate cake. i make a very similar choc cake with oil and cocoa. I made one for the last sugar high friday. Ill definatly try this one when I need a special occasion cake.
Posted by: Randi | August 15, 2005 at 07:15 PM
last note, swear!! do you have a link to the wellsley cake?
Posted by: Randi | August 15, 2005 at 07:23 PM
AG, Molly, Sam, Clare, Zarah, Moira!
I hear you sisters.
This cake is made for PMS.
Randi:
In Canada (and in Australia) you do a year-long internship called Articles of Clerkship, then you write the bar exam. Once you pass the bar exam you are presented to the court, by a practicing barrister and are Admitted to the Bar of the jurisdiction of that court and thus become a barrister in that jusridiction with the right to be heard in the Courts of that jurisdiction.
I use the wellsley recipe from epicurious (just search the words "wellsley fudge")
Posted by: Lyn | August 15, 2005 at 07:58 PM
I think its the best one I ever had.
Posted by: Tyler | April 20, 2008 at 09:47 AM
I was looking for the recipe for the best chocolate cake. I read the comments and adjustments you made, but do not see the actual recipe. Could you kindly send this to me, or refer me to the site that details it. Thank you.
Posted by: RGupta | November 19, 2008 at 04:57 AM
go to "I used... and click on that part Tyler..
Posted by: Kay Hunter | June 13, 2009 at 05:33 PM
were do i get your recipe?
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