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Chocolate-Coconut Sheet Cake

21 Jan

When I walked into the library on Friday, I spotted the February issue of Martha Stewart Living on the magazine shelf, and decided to actively procrastinate for a few minutes. My eyes nearly popped out of my head when I stumbled upon the Valentine’s Day, all-chocolate dessert spread. Imagine a page covered in silky chocolate, entitled “Truly Madly Deeply,” staring at you as you prepare to buckle down and write an English self-assessment- now that’s a real distraction. But I couldn’t resist the temptation to peruse the recipes, and this chocolate-coconut sheet cake immediately caught my attention. I’m sure you can guess how I ended up spending my Friday night. 😉

Chocolate and coconut are two of my favorite ingredients, and together, well the photo speaks for itself. This is the moistest, most deeply chocolatey cake I have ever made. Buttermilk and brewed coffee are key, and premium Dutch-process cocoa powder accounts for the cake’s rich, almost midnight black color. Taste-wise, every bite is straight out of dessert heaven. Each forkful contains three layers: wisps of tender coconut shavings on top, the fudgey, almost gooey center, and the phenomenal, aromatic cake. I probably sound a bit strange as I passionately describe this baked good as though it has a life of its own, but it’s the weekend before mid-terms, and what’s a girl with a sweet tooth to do? 

Recipe courtesy of Martha Stewart Living

Ingredients 
For the cake:
3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder*, plus more for dish 
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour 
1 1/2 cups granulated sugar 
1 1/2 tsp baking soda 
3/4 tsp baking powder
3/4 tsp salt 
2 large eggs, lightly beaten
3/4 cup low-fat buttermilk**
3/4 cup warm, strong brewed coffee
3 tblsp safflower oil (I used olive oil)
1 tsp pure vanilla extract 

For the topping:
1 stick plus 2 tblsp unsalted butter
2 cups confectioners’ sugar 
6 tblsp unsweetened cocoa powder 
3 cups finely shredded, dried, unsweetened coconut
2/3 cup warm, strong brewed coffee 
1 tsp pure vanilla extract 

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Butter a 9-by-13-inch baking dish; line the bottom and two long sides with parchment, leaving an overhang. Butter parchment, and dust with cocoa powder. Sift together cocoa powder, flour, granulated sugar, baking soda, baking powder, and salt in a large bowl; whisk to combine. Gather flour mixture into a mound, and create a well in center. Pour eggs, buttermilk, coffee, oil, and vanilla into well, and whisk until thoroughly combined and smooth. Pour batter into dish, and spread evenly with an offset spatula. Bake until set, about 25 minutes. Even if the center looks a bit fudgey, it will continue cooking once you remove it from the oven. It is key not to overcook it. 
2. To make the topping, melt butter over medium heat in a small saucepan. Sift confectioners’ sugar, cocoa powder, and coconut in a large bowl; combine with a spoon. Stir coffee and vanilla into melted butter, and pour over coconut mixture. Stir to combine, and immediately spread evenly over warm cake. Let the cake cool completely on wire rack.

*I recommend using Dutch-process cocoa powder, if you wish to achieve a darker color and richer chocolate flavor. However, natural cocoa works fine as well. Here is a link to a photo that demonstrates the contrast between a cake made with Dutch-process versus natural cocoa. David Lebovitz also has a wonderfully detailed post that explains the differences between the two kinds. 
**If you do not have buttermilk on hand, not to worry! You can make your own simply by measuring out 3/4 cup of milk and adding the juice from half a lemon to it. Let the milk sit for a few minutes until it curdles on the top, and you are ready to go. 

Easy Chocolate Pecan Torte

4 Jan

Recipe courtesy of Sinfully Easy Delicious Desserts 

Ingredients 
1 cup raw pecans 
2 tblsp all-purpose flour 
6 oz bittersweet chocolate (66 to 72% cacao), coarsely chopped 
8 tblsp unsalted butter, softened but still cool, cut into chunks 
3/4 cup granulated sugar 
Generous 1/8 tsp salt 
4 cold large eggs 

Serves 10-12

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Generously grease the bottom and sides of an 8-inch springform pan with butter. Spread the pecans on a baking sheet and bake them for 7-10 minutes, stirring them once or twice, until they are toasted and fragrant. Scrape the nuts onto a plate and let them cool completely. Increase the oven temperature to 375. Once the nuts have cooled, pulse the pecans and the flour in the food processor until finely ground. 
2. Place the chocolate in a large heatproof bowl, over a pot of simmering water, and stir occasionally until nearly melted. Remove the bowl from the heat and stir the chocolate until it is completely melted and smooth. 
3. Transfer the chocolate into the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, and beat in the butter, granulated sugar, and salt until the butter is completely melted and the mixture thickens and lightens slightly in color. Beat in the eggs one at a time, then beat at medium-high speed for a minute or two, or until the batter is fluffy and lightened in color. Stir in the pecan mixture. 
4. Spread the batter evenly into the prepared pan and bake for 30-35 minutes, until a toothpick inserted about 1.5 inches from the side of the pan comes out clean. The center will still be gooey. 
5. Set the pan on a rack to cool. Slide a thin knife around the inside of the pan to loosen the cake and allow the thin crust on top to sink (slightly) as the cake cools. Let cool completely and remove from the pan. Garnish with powdered sugar or whipped cream, if desired. The torte can be kept covered at room temperature for at least 3 days, or frozen, well-wrapped for 3 months.

I am well aware that this luxurious chocolate-pecan torte recipe comes to you at the beginning of “clean eating” month. In January, many of us embark upon kale juice cleanses and grueling gym workouts in an effort to start the new year on the right foot. But this is a baking blog after all, and I could not wait to share this decadent, sinfully easy dessert. 

You only need seven ingredients to throw this torte together. You could substitute hazelnuts or walnuts for pecans and omit the flour for a gluten-free version. The exterior surface crackles just barely after baking, contrasting well with the moist, but not sticky interior. My problem with so many chocolate tortes is their uniformity of flavor and denseness. This cake hit all the right notes: chocolatey but with depth of flavor from the pecans, and sturdy but not dry. It is definitely a crowd pleaser; my family members enthusiastically declared it one of the best baked goods I have ever made. Major score! 

I recommend preparing the cake a day prior to serving it as the extra time enhances its richness. I enjoyed my piece plain, a chocolate purist, but vanilla bean ice cream or freshly whipped cream would complement it beautifully.

Linzer Blitz Torte and a Bookstore for Foodies

24 Nov

Every home baker knows the agony of choosing the right recipe. You scour your cookbook collection, search the archives of your favorite blogs, and ponder back and forth until you’re thoroughly exhausted. I often wish for one trustworthy source where I can find simple, sophisticated desserts for every occasion. I found just the thing I was looking for last weekend at Omnivore Books in San Francisco. 


Hundreds of books about food and drink line the shelves of Omnivore Books in San Francisco’s Noe Valley neighborhood. I could spend an entire day in there, drooling over photos, fantasizing about restaurants and bakeries I want to visit, mentally marking all the recipes I want to make. There are vintage cookbooks with torn spines and retro covers, cookbooks in foreign languages, and cookbooks signed by chefs and bloggers. 

I went to Omnivore without a particular book in mind, but knew I wanted to purchase one as a souvenir. I asked an employee for a recommendation and she suggested Sinfully Easy Delicious Desserts by Alice Medrich. Medrich, author of the highly acclaimed Chewy Gooey Crispy Crunchy, filled this book with quick, effortlessly elegant recipes. After flipping through the first few pages, I knew this was the perfect book for me: a girl who loves to bake refined desserts but doesn’t have time to spend hours poring over the kitchen counter. 

Every item in this book appealed to me, but I chose two cold-weather options to bring to my family’s Thanksgiving celebration. One of them was this Linzer Blitz Torte made with a buttery, almond crust, layered with raspberry preserves, and spiced with fragrant ground cloves and cinnamon. This torte was easy to put together, delicious, and beautiful- one of the best baked goods I have ever made. You could replace the raspberry preserves with apricot, lemon, or fig jam; the dough would complement whichever fruit you prefer. I received rave reviews from everyone who tried it, and am thrilled that my pursuit for a go-to recipe source is over. If you are a Northern California native or in SF for a few days, definitely stop by at Omnivore Books. It is a quaint, charming shop chock full of wonderful foodie finds. 

Recipe courtesy of Sinfully Easy Delicious Desserts

Ingredients 
3/4 cup whole raw almonds or hazelnuts, or a combination 
1 cup all-purpose flour 
3/4 cup granulated sugar 
1/4 tsp salt 
1 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon 
1/2 tsp ground cloves 
11 tblsp unsalted butter, cut into chunks and slightly softened 
1 large egg yolk 
Grated zest of 1/2 lemon 
Grated zest of 1/2 orange 
1/4 tsp pure almond extract 
2/3 cup raspberry or blackberry preserves 

1. Combine the almonds, flour, granulated sugar, salt, cinnamon, and cloves in the food processor and pulse until the almonds are finely ground. Add the butter, egg yolk, grated lemon and orange zests, and almond extract and process until the dough comes together. Scrape the butter from the bottom of the processor to help distribute evenly. 
2. Measure 1/4 cup of the dough and shape it into a ball. Wrap it in plastic wrap and refrigerate it. Grease the sides of a 9 x 2″ cake pan and line the bottom with parchment paper. Press the remaining dough evenly over the bottom of the pan. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least one hour. 
3. To bake the torte, preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Spread the preserves evenly over the dough, leaving a scant 1/2-inch border all around. Using the largest holes of a grater, grate the chilled reserved dough over the jam (or cut the dough into matchsticks and scatter them over the jam). 
4. Bake for 30-35 minutes, until the top is golden brown. Tent the torte loosely with foil and bake for 10-15 minutes longer, until it is a deep golden brown. 
5. Cool the torte in the pan on a rack for 10 minutes. Run a thin knife around the sides to release the torte. Let it cool completely. Invert the torte onto a plate and serve sprinkled with powdered sugar, if desired. 

Omnivore Books On Food 
3885 Cesar Chavez St. 
San Francisco, CA 94131
(415) 282 4712 
– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – 
Monday-Saturday, 11 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Sunday, 12 – 5 p.m. 

Pumpkin Coffee Cake with Pecan-Brown Sugar Streusel

4 Nov

This is not just any pumpkin cake. This Pumpkin Coffee Cake with Pecan-Brown Sugar Streusel is the first baked good I have made since submitting my first college application; and boy, did it taste sweet. Applying to college is like watching an action film: one moment you are energized and hopeful, a second later you become massively overwhelmed, and by the time the movie’s over, you’re so drained all you want to do is sleep. What better way to celebrate this whirlwind experience than with a little baking therapy? 


I baked slowly and leisurely, enjoying every moment of my return to the kitchen after a long separation. Spiced with cinnamon, nutmeg, and ground ginger and sprinkled with toasted pecans, this cake embodies fall flavors. The batter is perfectly moist with a pumpkin taste that is present but not overpowering. My favorite part of any coffee cake is the buttery crumb topping. This cake has not just one, but two layers of nutty, sugary streusel, which means double the goodness. Cut into generous wedges and served with a cup of coffee, it makes a wonderful breakfast or afternoon snack. I particularly enjoy sneaking into the kitchen and nibbling on it sliver-by-sliver.

Recipe slightly adapted from Home Baked Comfort 

Ingredients
For the streusel:
1/3 cup all-purpose flour 
1/2 cup light brown sugar 
1 tsp ground cinnamon 
Pinch of kosher salt 
5 tbsp cold unsalted butter, cut into chunks 
1 cup pecan pieces, lightly toasted for 10 minutes at 325 degrees F 

For the batter: 
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour 
2 tsp baking powder 
1/2 tsp baking soda 
2 tsp ground cinnamon 
1 tsp ground ginger 
1/4 tsp ground nutmeg 
1/2 tsp kosher salt 
1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, at room temperature 
1 cup light brown sugar 
2 large eggs 
1 cup pumpkin puree 
1/2 cup sour cream 

For the glaze:
1/4 cup confectioners’ sugar, sifted 
2 tsp milk 
1 tsp vanilla extract 

Makes one 9-inch coffee cake.

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Grease and flour a 9-inch springform pan or a 9-inch cake pan with 3-inch sides. To make the streusel, in a medium bowl, combine the flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt. Add the cubes of butter and, using a pastry cutter or fork, break down the butter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Stir in the toasted pecans. 
2. To make the batter, in a large bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and salt. In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, beat the butter and brown sugar on medium-high speed until light and fluffy. Beat in the eggs, one at a time, scraping down the sides of the bowl with a rubber spatula. Add the pumpkin puree and sour cream and mix to combine. Add the flour mixture in thirds, incorporating on low speed. The batter will be quite thick.
3. Spread half of the batter into the prepared pan and sprinkle half of the streusel over the batter. Spread the remaining batter over the streusel and top with the remaining streusel. 
4. Bake until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean, 50-55 minutes. Let the cake cool in the pan on a wire rack for 15 minutes. Remove the sides from the pan and slide the cake onto the rack. 
5. To make the glaze, in a small bowl, whisk together the confectioners’ sugar, milk, and vanilla extract. Drizzle the glaze over the top of the cake. 

An Elegant Layer Cake For My Two-Year Blogiversary

8 Sep

Recipe courtesy of The Gourmandise School of Sweets and Savories 

Ingredients 
For the Genoise: 
2 oz. unsalted butter
6 eggs 
7 oz. sugar 
7.5 oz. all-purpose flour

For the hazelnut meringue: 
2/3 cup hazelnuts, toasted 
3 large egg whites at room temperature
Pinch of sea salt 
1/8 tsp cream of tartar 
1/2 cup sugar

For the buttercream:
2 eggs
1 cup sugar 
1/2 cup water 
1/8 tsp cream of tartar 
2 sticks butter 
1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract

For the salted caramel chocolate ganache:
3 oz. unsweetened chocolate, chopped
2 oz. 70% bittersweet chocolate, chopped 
3 tblsp water 
3/4 cup sugar 
1 1/2 cups heavy whipping cream, heated 
1 1/2 tblsp unsalted butter, at room temperature 
1 tsp vanilla extract 
3/4 tsp sea salt 

For the simple syrup: 
1 cup sugar 
1/2 cup water 
Seeds from 1/2 vanilla bean

1. To make the meringue: preheat the oven to 200 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. On the parchment, outline circles of your cake pan with a pen. 
2. Place the toasted hazelnuts in a food processor and pulse until finely chopped. In the bowl of a stand mixer equipped with a whisk attachment, beat the egg whites, cream of tartar, and salt on high speed until soft peaks form. Stream in the sugar and beat until the egg whites are stiff. Gently fold the ground hazelnuts into the egg whites. 
3. Scoop the egg whites into a pastry bag and pipe meringue circles using the outlines on the parchment paper. Bake the meringues for 1 to 1.5 hours, rotating the pan half way through, until they are crisp. Allow the meringues to cool on the baking sheet for three hours. 
4. To make the Genoise: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Melt the butter and set aside. Place the eggs and sugar in a stand mixer bowl and place the bowl over a double boiler. Whisk the mixture by hand until it is hot to the touch. Place the bowl on the mixer equipped with a whisk attachment and beat the eggs until they almost surpass the bowl in height. Add the melted butter and whisk to combine. 
5. Pour the mixture into a large bowl and sift the flour into the mixture in three parts, folding each time until just combined. Line the bottom of a 9-inch round cake pan with parchment paper and grease the sides with butter. Pour the batter into the cake pan, leaving out any clumps of flour from the bottom of the bowl that weren’t mixed in. Bake for 15 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. 
6. To make the buttercream: Whip the eggs in the bowl of a stand mixer until they triple in volume. While the eggs are whipping away, place the sugar, water, and cream of tartar in a saucepot and bring to a heavy boil. With the mixer on medium speed, pour the sugar syrup over the eggs in a slow, steady stream. Continue beating for 10-15 minutes, or until the bowl cools to room temperature. Add the butter one pat at a time until the cream thickens. Add the vanilla extract and turn the mixture to high speed for the final 2 minutes.
7. To make the salted caramel chocolate ganache: Stir together the sugar and water in a medium heavy saucepan until the sugar is moistened. Heat on medium-high, stirring constantly, until the sugar dissolves and the syrup is bubbling. Stop stirring and allow the syrup to boil undisturbed until it turns deep amber (370 degrees Fahrenheit on an instant read thermometer.) Remove it from the heat and slowly and carefully stir in the hot cream. It will bubble up furiously.

8. Use a silicone spatula or wooden spoon to stir the mixture gently, scraping down to the bottom of the pan. Return the pan to very low heat, continuing to stir gently for 1 minute, or until the mixture is uniform in color and the caramel is fully dissolved. Remove pan from the heat and gently stir in the butter until incorporated. Pour the hot caramel sauce onto the chocolate in a large heatproof bowl. By the time all of the caramel has been added, the chocolate will be melted and the mixture will be smooth and shiny. Add the vanilla and the salt and mix to combine.
9. Scrape ganache into a bowl and let stand uncovered for 1 hour then cover with plastic wrap and let sit at room temperature for two more hours, until firm enough to spread as a filling and frosting.
10. To make the simple syrup: Bring the water and sugar to a boil in a saucepan and scrape in the vanilla bean seeds. Remove from the heat. 
11. To assemble: Using a serrated knife, split the Genoise in half lengthwise. Using a pastry brush, soak the cake in enough simple syrup just to moisten it- do not make it soggy. On top of the first cake layer, place a dollop of buttercream and spread evenly until it is about half an inch in height. Stick the cooled meringue circle over the buttercream layer. On top of the meringue, spread a half inch layer of chocolate ganache. Place the second Genoise layer over the chocolate ganache and soak with simple syrup. Top the cake with another layer of ganache. Optional: finish by spreading buttercream on the sides of the cake and stick ground hazelnuts on the buttercream for decoration. 


          Two whole years have passed since I first launched this blog and what a journey it has been. I have traveled to new and exciting destinations, visited amazing bakeries from around the world, and created a few memorable treats in my own kitchen. I have epitomized my motto and lived life one bite at a time. So, what better way to celebrate the occasion than with a decked-out layer cake? 
          It’s been a while since a layer cake graced the front page of Let’s Live La Vida and in many ways, the differences between the two posts reflect my overall growth as a blogger. My palette has become more refined and I have become a more skilled and daring baker. By observing experts and learning from them, I feel more comfortable and at ease in the kitchen. This intricate layer cake demonstrates my development from a novice baker to someone who knows what she’s doing (most of the time). 
          Genoise, a plain, subtly dry cake forms the anchor of this recipe. Genoise is designed to be soaked in simple syrup and layered with fabulous fillings as it does not possess much flavor on its own. Every bite contains a medley of distinct tastes and textures that blend seamlessly together. The rich salted caramel chocolate ganache complements the nuttiness of the hazelnut meringue and the fluffy vanilla buttercream ties the three together.
          Chocolate and hazelnut aren’t your favorites? Not to worry, Genoise can be endlessly adapted to suit your personal preferences. Soak it with coconut simple syrup and cover the sides with coconut buttercream and toasted coconut flakes for a divine coconut cake. Take advantage of summer’s trickling stone fruits by layering it with poached peaches and whipped cream and sprinkling the top with sliced almonds. Tweak the recipe proportions for a sheet pan, slice clean square pieces, and you have a lovely opera cake. 
          I encourage you to step out of your comfort zone and try this cake. When you do, stick some imaginary candles on it and celebrate Let’s Live La Vida’s second birthday with me. 

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