Back when I thought I was going to make an entire buffet of cakes for our wedding* I realized I should probably test out some chocolate cake recipes. Chocolate is sort of meh for me, so I don't have a giant stash of tried and true recipes. But I'm pretty sure that if you attempted to pass off a chocolate-free dessert buffet to my family, rioting would occur. So I tried.
I made this double chocolate cake, but used this milk chocolate frosting recipe. I'm a sucker for buttercreams with cooked bases. They tend to have a lighter texture and a little less sweetness than a simpler one bowl buttercream.
The cake was awesomely good. Really. I ate the batter, straight out of the bowl. I ate the scraps of cake that got stuck to the pan when I impatiently tried to remove the cake before it fully cooled. I ate the cupcakes I made with the extra batter. The frosting was good too, but I'd have been happy to eat that cake plain, chocolate lover or not. I'm stashing this one away, for sure.
* The cake buffet was a cherished idea of mine. I love baking, I love making cakes. But we invited 200 people to our wedding. That's a lot of potential cakes. And then I started thinking about where I would store them and how I would transport them, and how much I will probably just want to be sitting on the patio with our friends in the week before the wedding, drinking moscow mules and not frantically frosting cakes. It became a no brainer. We're still having a cake buffet (details to follow, when I have my act together) but I will not be baking any of it. Except maybe some cookies. That wouldn't be too crazy, right? Right?
{milk chocolate frosting}
I made this double chocolate cake, but used this milk chocolate frosting recipe. I'm a sucker for buttercreams with cooked bases. They tend to have a lighter texture and a little less sweetness than a simpler one bowl buttercream.
{crumb coat prep}
The cake was awesomely good. Really. I ate the batter, straight out of the bowl. I ate the scraps of cake that got stuck to the pan when I impatiently tried to remove the cake before it fully cooled. I ate the cupcakes I made with the extra batter. The frosting was good too, but I'd have been happy to eat that cake plain, chocolate lover or not. I'm stashing this one away, for sure.
* The cake buffet was a cherished idea of mine. I love baking, I love making cakes. But we invited 200 people to our wedding. That's a lot of potential cakes. And then I started thinking about where I would store them and how I would transport them, and how much I will probably just want to be sitting on the patio with our friends in the week before the wedding, drinking moscow mules and not frantically frosting cakes. It became a no brainer. We're still having a cake buffet (details to follow, when I have my act together) but I will not be baking any of it. Except maybe some cookies. That wouldn't be too crazy, right? Right?
i think forgoing the cake buffet made by you is a wise idea. but at least you got to experiment with different recipes and find such a good chocolate cake one!
ReplyDeleteI like that the cake is darker chocolate than the frosting...it's really pretty and seems like it would make sense, taste-wise. YUM!
ReplyDeletehmm, that looks terrible. i might have to make it during the hurricane this weekend.
ReplyDeleteI'm making 350 cupcakes for a labmate's wedding in October, and I can't even imagine doing something that large for my own wedding, yikes. And I love buttercreams, oh my word, but it can be such a pain to get them to come together. Ah well...the taste is worth it.
ReplyDeleteI had to same desires of a cake/dessert buffet for my wedding but had the same thoughts of wanting to relax and enjoy the days leading to my wedding (the fact that is was destination and the venue provided a dessert buffet also helped my decision). Enjoy your wedding and all the festivities surrounding it. It is truly a magical time
ReplyDeleteGood decision on not making the cakes yourself. You'll be glad on your wedding day when you don't have to worry about that and can relax and enjoy the day.
ReplyDeletehttp://sarahwalton1986.blogspot.com/
Oooh! Have to try these recipes! Wow! Good thinking on not doing all the baking yourself! Its fun organizing the wedding - but what's the point if you're not able to enjoy and you're left busy dealing with stuff!
ReplyDeleteGood on you!
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Gayatri
Look who's Wearing (LwW)
Wise decision! Oh man, the cake buffet...that was one of my DIY dreams as well. Um yeah. That one fell off the list for all the same reasons. Ha!
ReplyDeleteIf my wedding favor project gives me any indication of just how smart it is to let someone else do this for you, I don't what would! I'm a fan of food-related wedding favors, or none at all. So, two days before the wedding we ended up slicing and carving handmade cheese and cracker midnight snack boxes. I love cheese. Like really love cheese. It's practically a religion to me. But after that, I needed my first-ever long break from cheese. (And, by that point, I so was ready to just take naps and relax with a glass of wine and a good pedicure.)
(I went with SusieCakes in Brentwood on San Vicente, btw, and everybody loved it. Their minicakes were simple and affordable and they didn't have that objectionable wedding upcharge. Plus, they make mini heart-shaped pies.)
You had me at "double chocolate".
ReplyDeletemmmmhmhmhmhmmmmm that milk choco frosting sounds on point.
ReplyDeleteI had a cake buffet at our wedding too! Luckily I also had a lot of friends who helped with the baking, though I made several cakes myself too. This one looks delicious!
ReplyDeletei think cranking out some cookies qualifies as blowing off steam for you, so yes, you have clearance to rock that for the wedding if you so choose.
ReplyDeleteyou know, i don't have a hurricane cake planned yet, either. i think ashley maureen's on to something.
...and my favorite rice pudding from "rice to riches" is called "category 5 caramel." apparently my disaster has a dessert buffet now?
ummm- can we say delicious!?
ReplyDelete-grace
http://herumbrella.com
Such a fun idea or a cake buffet! Excited to see pics. We had a can bar and it was a hit! This recipe looks delicious as I love buttercream. I've got a fun photo roundup :) Happy weekend!
ReplyDeletewww.MrsCapretta.com
Recipes Fashion Marriage
YUM!
ReplyDeletei am all about the frosting and that one looks really good!
ReplyDeletemindofmr.blogspot.com
That looks fantastic. I'm not usually a big fan of buttercreams, but I haven't tried a cooked one like that recipe. Might have to test it out.
ReplyDeleteWith 200 guests, I'm going to say it was a good call to nix the Rachel-made cake buffet. Cookies, like Lauren said, are probably totally okay for you. Plus, they're way easier to store and transport.
Hope the last few things you have to prep are going smoothly! xoxo
You know, when thinking about my wedding, and the fact that I would want AT LEAST 7 different cake flavors, a cake buffet never crossed my mind! Best. Idea. Ever. Sounds like baking your own would be far too much work-- good on you for knowing when to lay down the spatula.
ReplyDelete(I just found this blog and think it is so lovely and wanted to say hello!)
uh, yum, that looks good.
ReplyDeletelooks flawless.. and delicious :)
ReplyDeletehttp://xoxo-carolinalove.blogspot.com
i LOVE the concept of a cake buffet! and i my books, you are a superwoman for even considering taking it on all by yourself. that cake looks incredible and a can't wait to play with it and make it vegan!
ReplyDeleteMy mom made our birthday cakes every year and her big tip was to trace the cake pan on a piece of notebook paper, cut it out, and put it in the bottom of the pan - this way you never have a problem w/ it sticking and the paper peels right off the cake so you have a smooth, perfect surface to work with. :)
ReplyDeleteLooks amazingly delicious!!!
ReplyDeleteThanks! xo-kelly
www.belovelynow.com
I made this cake last night, only as mini cupcakes to bring into work. Both the cake and the frosting were delicious! I have never made a cooked frosting like this and wasnt sure how it would turn out but it was so good! Even better cold I think.
ReplyDeleteBTW, I have been reading your blog for a while but have never commented. I hope your wedding is fantastic and you are able to soak in every minute of the day. :)
Danielle
This looks delicious! I can't wait to try it!
ReplyDeleteooohh looks good!! gonna try this soon!!
ReplyDeleteThis sounds soo spectacular!!! Must try this!
ReplyDeletei want to lick that beater right now! i live in ecuador and i hardly have any ingredients to bake with. they have no chocolate chips down here - SHOCKING!
ReplyDelete