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Monday, February 14, 2011

Chew on This | Chocolate Sand Castle Cake

♥ Happy Valentine's Day! ♥
This Chocolate Sand Castle Cake is a perfect choice for your Valentine - Enjoy!


I'm having a very nostalgic day - a real deja vu day...



Maybe, it's because it's 4℉ outside and all I can think about is warm, warm sand and running in the surf.   In my youth I did a lot of that when we lived in Cocoa Beach, Florida.
All of my fun times seemed to involve the beach in some way - TGIF beach parties, beach  bumming, driving (yes, you could drive on the beach way back then, I did and loved it), jogging, and of course, just enjoying the wonderful ocean-such a pleasure.


Years later we took our girls to beaches from New England to Florida. It was so fun watching them build sand castles and play in the surf. Enjoying the peace and freedom that the beach brings.  Happiness is a beach.


While reminiscing about those good ol' beach days, I remembered a favorite cake I used to
make that looked sorta like the sand castles the kids made, hence the name-Chocolate Sand Castle Cake. It has beige (brown sugar) fluffy icing and when piled on top of the deep dark chocolate cake it did look like a sand castle. Such a good cake. Such good memories.
Sooo I made cake, Chocolate Sand Castle (memory) Cake.


This is what you will need:

Flour, sugar, unsweetened cocoa, vanilla, soda, salt, oil, buttermilk, eggs, and brown sugar.
Optional:  shaved chocolate sprinkled on top




Combine all ingredients except the brown sugar in a large mixing bowl.


Beat on low speed to combine, then beat at medium speed for 3 minutes-scraping bowl often. Pour into prepared pans or a bundt pan.


To the hot box we go for 35-40 minutes at 350℉.  Don't over bake.


Now on to the memory maker...the Sand Castle Cake Frosting.
You will need:  brown sugar, egg whites, dash of salt, and water.  Oh, and a double boiler. 



Put some water in the bottom of the double boiler.  Bring the water to a very slow boil (simmer).  Combine the brown sugar, egg whites, water, and salt in the top of the double boiler.  Place it above the very low boiling water making sure it does not touch the water or you'll end up with scrambled eggs.  Begin to beat the mixture until very stiff peaks form.



Beat, beat, beat. The delicious Sand Castle Frosting is ready to spread when stiff peaks form.


Let's do this thing...pile it on and spread away.

 


Sprinkle some shaved chocolate on top if ya want.  Grab a fork and make some memories!


This delicious cake is best if made and devoured the same day.

Mimi

Here is the recipe:
Chocolate Sand Castle Cake


Cake ingredients:                                            Frosting ingredients:                 
1 1/4 cup granulated sugar                                 2 egg whites (room temperature
1 1/2 cup flour                                                      1 1/2 cups brown sugar
1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa                               1/3 cup water
1 1/4 t soda                                                           dash of salt
1 t salt                                                                    Optional:  shaved chocolate sprinkled on top
2/3 cup oil
1 cup buttermilk
2 T vanilla
2 eggs


Note:  Substitute for buttermilk:  1 T vinegar plus milk to make 1 cup milk


Preheat oven to 350℉.  Grease and lightly flour two 8" round pans or a bundt pan.

In a large bowl, blend all ingredients at a very low speed until combined.  Then beat for
3 minutes at medium speed.

Pour batter into prepared pans or bundt pan.  Bake at 350℉ for 35-40 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.  Don't over bake.

Cool 5 minutes then remove from pans.  Cool completely before frosting.

Frosting:
2 egg whites (room temperature)
1 1/2 cups brown sugar
1/3 cup water
dash of salt

Combine above ingredients in the top of a double boiler.  Place water in the bottom of the
double boiler making sure it does not touch the pan bottom on the top.  Over very gently boiling water beat ingredients until stiff peaks are formed.  (If water is too hot or touches
the bottom of the top pan you will scramble the eggs...not a good thing).

Frost the completely cooled cake and add shaved chocolate to the top if desired.

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