Tempted by the promise of Brooklyn Blackout Cake (page 126) every time I flipped through Chloe Coscarelli’s latest masterwork, forthrightly titled Chloe’s Vegan Desserts, it was high time to take matters into my own hands. One could only resist that siren song for so long, and after having the book sitting idly in my kitchen for the past few months, I would wait no longer for a good excuse. It was time for cake, and that was that.
Indulgent but not quite hedonistic, I cut the recipe down to a third of its original grandeur, simultaneously putting my new 3-inch round cake pans to the test. Happily, they passed with flying colors, holding tight and not spilling a drop, despite ominous reports of leakage.
Carefully sliced and layered with rich chocolate pudding, the moist crumb was perfectly compliant with the demands of assembly. Just enough for two, maybe three people if they were all well-practiced in the fine arts of both self control and sharing, it’s just the right amount of decadence for a Friday. Or a Tuesday. Or whatever day it happens to be when the urge to bake hits.
Don’t be fooled by the festive candle; there was no celebration or particular occasion to commemorate here. Perhaps I was just trying to rationalize such a random act of cakery, fooling myself into painting a grander picture than was accurate. If I could invent a story about a party, and weave this cake in somehow… It was a far-fetched ruse to begin with, my motivation as transparent as the clear bottles filled to the brim with ice cold, unsweetened almond milk. So I’m not going to lie: I just wanted cake.
And oh, what a cake it was! Sure, the recipe was very standard, the sort of thing you’ve probably already made a hundred times and could find closely related renditions of within a few seconds of searching, but there’s no denying that it’s pretty much fool-proof. Best yet, it’s the perfect cake for the baker that hates fussy frosting, because all decorative sins are instantly erased by a thick layer of crumbs coating the entire exterior. Satisfying to make and eat, I’d say that’s a win-win situation if I ever did taste one.
This looks perfect! Chocolate cake is one of my favorites. :)
I should know better than to read your blog right before lunch. Your pics and food always make me sooo hungry. The chocolate pudding on this looks so decadent.
I have this book from the library right now!!!
janet
Your tiny cakes are adorable! Chloe posted a photo of this cake on FB earlier today as a suggestion for Fathers’ Day. I almost never bake cake, but I wonder if I should take this to a potluck Sunday instead of the snickerdoodles I was planning. Hmm…
Sometimes you just gotta make cake :)
The three inch cake is so cute! And just perfect for when you don’t feel like having a huge cake hanging around. And all that chocolate – yes.
That looks totally delicious Hannah and we don’t really need a reason to have cake right? :)
Sounds superdelicious!
Instead of the candle you could put a big peach on top of it and call it “Cake and the Giant Peach”. ;)
Every new day is a great day for cake. After all it has to be someone’s bday out there right? Great photos and a must read recipe book.
Is that a Hanukkah candle atop that tempting, tiny cake? Don’t worry, I’m not judging, especially since I almost lit my husband’s Yahrzeit candles for ambience when he and I first started dating!
Ahhh, you caught me! I’m amazed you could even tell- To be quite honest, I totally forgot their significance when I was taking the photo. I just grabbed the nearest candle that wasn’t half-melted and stuck it in the cake. The concept of “romantic” Yahrzeit candles is just too good though. Hilarious!
Lovely appetizing pictures, Hannah! MMMMMMMMMMM. Georgous too!
I haven’t made a recipe from either of Chef Chloe’s books that have been bad, and I am far from a great baker. I haven’t tried this cake yet, so thank you sharing about how easy it is and that you can cut the recipe down. I love cake as much as the next person but with only two people at home to eat I would end up eating more than I should :)
Love your pictures! They are gorgeous!