magpies cake |
Butchie's cake was chocolate, filled with butterscotch, wrapped in a buttercream crumb coat, and layered in thin sheets of fondant...as thin as I could go and it still wasn't thin enough! I tried to texture the little sheets by pressing paintbrushes into them.......didn't hold. I tried to make the layers pull out from the cake........then the humidity hit and the cake drew it's inspiration from the wicked witch of the west....melting, melting, melting and infused with curses. So..........what I really think everyone should take away from this cake is the chocolate cake recipe. It's a beautiful chiffon cake, smooth, with good flavor. It stays moist and airy, and lately is my go to chocolate cake recipe.
Enjoy! and another happy birthday to Butchie!
Chocolate Chiffon Cake
adapted from Tartine
¾ cup all-purpose flour
¼ cup dutch cocoa powder
1 teaspoon baking powder
3/4 teaspoon powdered lemon zest
3/4 cups sugar
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1/4 cup vegetable oil
3 large egg yolks
⅓ cup water
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
5 large egg whites
¼ teaspoon cream of tartar
Preheat the oven to moderate 325°F (160°C/gas mark 3).
Line the bottom of an 8-inch (20 cm) spring form pan with parchment paper. Do not grease the sides of the pan.
In a large mixing bowl, stir together the flour and baking powder. Add in all but 3 tablespoons (45 ml.) of sugar, powdered lemon peel and all of the salt. Stir to combine.
In a small bowl combine the oil, egg yolks, water, and vanilla. Whisk thoroughly.
Combine with the dry ingredients and mix thoroughly for about one minute, or until very smooth.
Put the egg whites into a stand mixer, and beat on medium speed using a whisk attachment on a medium speed, until frothy. Add cream of tartar and beat on a medium speed until the whites hold soft peaks. Slowly add the remaining sugar and beat on a medium-high speed until the whites hold firm and form shiny peaks.
Using a grease free rubber spatula, scoop about ⅓ of the whites into the yolk mixture and fold in gently. Gently fold in the remaining whites just until combined.
Pour the batter into the prepared pan. Bake for 45 to 55 minutes or until toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
Removed the cake from the oven and allow to cool in the pan on a wire rack.
To unmold, run a knife around the sides to loosen the cake from the pan and remove the spring form sides. Invert the cake and peel off the parchment paper. Refrigerate for up to four days.