Tag Archives: cake

Molten Lava Cakes

Posted on February 5, 2011 by zoomyummy | Leave a comment

molten lava cakes recipe with step by step picture tutorial

I love these little babies.

Surprisingly, this has been the first time I’ve ever made them myself.

 

While preparing these Chocolate Lava Cakes I learned that they are super-fun to make.

They are also surprising. That is what you find out when you dig into them.

And, with the generous amount of chocolate they contain, I’m sure they are just super seductive.

That all makes them the perfect dessert choice for Valentine’s Day, don’t you think?

 

Now, let me invite you to my kitchen and show you how I prepared my version of these adorable sweet cakes…
molten lava cakes recipe with step by step picture tutorial, ingredients

Here’s what we need.

Couldn’t be simpler.
molten lava cakes recipe with step by step picture tutorial, preheat the oven to 400 F - 200 C, butter 4 ramekins, 6-ounce - 180 ml ramekins

1. First, preheat the oven to 400 °F (200 °C).

 

2. Butter 4 ramekins.

I’ve used 6-ounce (180 ml) ramekins.

 

3. Then dust the ramekins with some confectioners’ sugar.
molten lava cakes recipe with step by step picture tutorial, eggs, sugar, coffee, and salt

4. Now we need the eggs, sugar, coffee, and salt.
molten lava cakes recipe with step by step picture tutorial, eggs, sugar, coffee, salt in a bowl

5. Throw them all into one bowl and mix them for about 2 minutes.

6. Break the chocolate into pieces. Place the butter and chocolate in a microwave-safe bowl.
molten lava cakes recipe with step by step picture tutorial, microwave on high in 20-seconds increments, stirring after each, until melted, let cool slightly

7. Microwave on high in 20-second increments, stirring after each, until melted.

Let cool slightly.

And be strong!
molten lava cakes recipe with step by step picture tutorial, add the chocolate mixture into the egg mixture, whisk to combine

8. Add the chocolate mixture into the egg mixture. Whisk to combine.

9. Then add the flour, and whisk just until combined (do not overmix).
molten lava cakes recipe with step by step picture tutorial, pour the batter into prepared ramekins

10. Pour the batter into prepared ramekins.

I only have two, so I had to bake in two batches.
molten lava cakes recipe with step by step picture tutorial, place the ramekins on a baking sheet

11. Place the ramekins on a baking sheet.
molten lava cakes recipe with step by step picture tutorial, bake for about 11 minutes

12. And bake for about 11 minutes.
molten lava cakes recipe with step by step picture tutorial

13. These babies were baked for about 14 minutes.

Too long.

 

molten lava cakes recipe with step by step picture tutorial

Although nice and tasty, they weren’t that ‘molten’ in the center.
molten lava cakes recipe with step by step picture tutorial

I baked the second batch for only 10 minutes.

That was much better.

I really like the moist center.
molten lava cakes recipe with step by step picture tutorial

Aah, I love this game.

 

But, if I had another chance, which I think I am going to give myself soon, I’d try baking these for exactly 11 minutes.

11 minutes would make them absolutely perfect.

 

Enjoy, dear friends!

 

(This recipe makes 4 cakes and was loosely based on Molten Mocha Cakes from www.delish.com.)

 

 


Posted in recipe

Tagged Baked Goods, baking, butter, cake, chocolate, Confectionery, cooking, food, Powdered sugar, Ramekin, Relationships, St. Valentine's, Valentine's | 24 Comments

Plum Cake

Posted on January 8, 2011 by zoomyummy | Leave a comment

plum cake recipe with step by step picture tutorial

When I was a kid, cakes like this one were on our table very often.

My lovely Mom used to make them.

They were filled with any fruit that was in season. And during the months of winter, Mom would use just about any canned fruit she had on hand.

So, whether you use plums, cherries or any kind of berries to make this sponge cake with fruit, you’ll be amazed by a very nice flavor it has and how surprisingly easy it is to prepare it.

 

plum cake recipe with step by step picture tutorial, ingredients

Here’s what we need.

 

1. First, preheat the oven to 350 °F (175 °C).

 

2. Separate the eggs placing the yolks in one bowl and the whites in another.

Use larger bowls.

 

3. Pour the sugar into the egg yolks and beat until thick and pale in color.

 

Try your best not to eat this all.

Oh my gosh, it’s so good.

Or is it just me?

 

plum cake recipe with step by step picture tutorial, add the butter and mix until fluffy

4. Then add the butter and mix until fluffy.

 

plum cake recipe with step by step picture tutorial, in a small bowl, combine the flour and baking powder, add it to the egg-yolk mixture, mix to combine

5. Next, in a small bowl, combine the flour and baking powder. Add it to the egg-yolk mixture. Mix to combine.

 

plum cake recipe with step by step picture tutorial, using a cleaned whisk attachment, whisk the egg whites

6. Then, using a cleaned whisk attachment, whisk the whites…

 

plum cake recipe with step by step picture tutorial, whisk the egg white until they hold stiff peaks

…until they hold stiff peaks.

 

7. Add the whites into the egg-yolk batter.

Small lumps of egg whites in the batter are okay.

 

plum cake recipe with step by step picture tutorial, spray a baking pan with cooking spray and dust it lightly with flour, scrape the batter into the prepared pan

8. Spray a baking pan with cooking spray and dust it lightly with flour.

 

9. Scrape the batter into the prepared pan.

I used a 13 x 9-inch (33 x 22 cm) baking pan. This cake will rise a lot, so if you are going for a less tall version, use a larger baking pan.

 

plum cake recipe with step by step picture tutorial, spread out the batter evenly

10. Spread out the batter evenly.

 

plum cake recipe with step by step picture tutorial, cut the plums into halves, or if you are using canned plum, drain them

11. Now cut the plums in, halves. Or, if you are using canned plums, drain them.

 

plum cake recipe with step by step picture tutorial, evenly arrange the halved plums on top of the batter

12. Evenly arrange the halved plums on top of the batter.

 

plum cake recipe with step by step picture tutorial, bake at 350 F - 175 C for about 20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center of the cake comes out clean

13. Bake at 350 °F (175 °C) for about 20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center of the cake comes out clean.

 

plum cake recipe with step by step picture tutorial, remove from the oven and let cool, then dust with a little confectioners' sugar and cut into squares

14. Remove from the oven and let cool.

 

14. Then dust with a little confectioner’s sugar and cut into squares.

 

plum cake recipe with step by step picture tutorial

And most importantly, enjoy, dear friends!

 

(This cake takes about 45 minutes to prepare.)

 


Posted in cakes

Tagged baking, Baking and Confections, Baking powder, cake, Cooking spray, dessert, Egg white, Egg yolk, Home, Powdered sugar, sugar, sweet, sweets | 24 Comments

Chocolate Chunk Cheesecake Bars

Posted on December 2, 2010 by zoomyummy | Leave a comment

chocolate chunk cheesecake bars recipe with step by step pictures

Are you one of those people who, like me, had thought that cheesecake and chocolate are not possible together?

Well, then I have something to tell you.

Something very important.

Something enlightening!

Dear friends, cheesecake and chocolate ARE possible to exist together.

SO possible.

Beyond possible!

Finger-licking possible!

Let me show you…

chocolate chunk cheesecake bars recipe with step by step pictures

These are our lovely ingredients.
chocolate chunk cheesecake bars recipe with step by step pictures

1. First, place the first three ingredients in the bowl of your electric mixer…

chocolate chunk cheesecake bars recipe with step by step pictures

2. …and beat them at medium-low speed until combined.

Then increase the speed to medium, and beat until well blended and crumbly.

chocolate chunk cheesecake bars recipe with step by step pictures

3. Pat the mixture into a lightly greased 13 x 9-inch (33 x 22 cm) pan.

A good trick is to use the bottom part of a measuring cup or a glass to do that.

chocolate chunk cheesecake bars recipe with step by step pictures

4. Preheat your oven to 350 °F (175 °C) and bake for 13-15 minutes or until lightly browned.

This is a lovely, delicious and easy substitute for crushed wafers that are often used in cheesecake recipes.

Cool, huh?

chocolate chunk cheesecake bars recipe with step by step pictures, cheesecake filling

5. Now, let’s make the cheesecake filling.

Place the cream cheese and sugar in the bowl of your electric mixer and beat at medium speed until creamy.

chocolate chunk cheesecake bars recipe with step by step pictures, add the eggs

6. Add the eggs, one at a time, beating at low speed just until blended after each addition.

7. Finally, add the sour cream, vanilla, and one cup of the chocolate chunks.

Beat just until blended.

Of course, you can use chocolate chips instead of the chunks.

chocolate chunk cheesecake bars recipe with step by step pictures, pour the cheesecake mixture over the baked crust

8. Pour the cheesecake mixture over the baked crust.

chocolate chunk cheesecake bars recipe with step by step pictures, using a spoon or an offset spatula, even out the surface

9. And using a spoon or an offset spatula, even out the surface.

chocolate chunk cheesecake bars recipe with step by step pictures, bake

10. Bake at 350 °F (175 °C) for about 25 minutes or until set.

 

11. Remove from the oven and let cool completely on a wire rack.

chocolate chunk cheesecake bars recipe with step by step pictures, melt the rest of your chocolate chunks

12. Then melt the rest of your chocolate chunks.

Microwave oven will work just fine.

(Oh, and use microwave friendly dishes, please. The one in the picture hadn’t gone to the microwave oven. If it had, things would have gotten sparkly… I guess. Don’t ask me how I know. Please.)

chocolate chunk cheesecake bars recipe with step by step pictures, stir the melted chocolate until smooth, then drizzle the chocolate over the cheesecake

13. Stir the melted chocolate until smooth. Then drizzle the chocolate over the cheesecake.

 

14. Cover and chill for at least 4 hours. Then cut into bars.

Also, I’ve found out that it’s fine to reheat the bars in the microwave oven for a little while before serving. That way the chocolate will melt slightly making the whole eating experience even more divine.

chocolate chunk cheesecake bars recipe with step by step pictures

Enjoy, dear friends.

 

(This lovely recipe was adapted from here. The recipe makes about 14 3×1.5-inch (8 x 4 cm) bars. The recipe takes about 1 hour to prepare and about 4 hours to chill. And the whole thing takes about 10 minutes to eat. Funny but true.)


Posted in recipe

Tagged baking, Baking and Confections, cake, cheese, cheesecake, chocolate, Cook, cooking, cream cheese, Home, how to make cheesecake, Mixer (cooking), Oven, recipe | 9 Comments

The Perfect Bundt Cake

Posted on October 17, 2010 by zoomyummy | Leave a comment

the perfect bundt cake recipe with step by step pictures

I heart bundt cakes.

You can clearly see it in the above picture and also in the picture below.

Hearts overload.

 

Bundt cakes are cute, bundt cakes are fun and they also are super-easy to make.

In addition, this one is also perfect.

I promise.

It’s moist but not too moist,  it’s sweet but not too sweet and it tastes just like heaven.

Actually, I’d so love to give you a slice right now.

But I think it will be more useful to give you the recipe…

the perfect bundt cake recipe with step by step pictures

Here are the ingredients.

Six of them.

I love simple recipes.

the perfect bundt cake recipe with step by step pictures

1. First preheat the oven to 347 °F (175 °C).
2. Then butter and flour thoroughly a 9 x 4 inches (23 x 10 cm) bundt pan.

Instead of buttering the pan you can use a vegetable spray.

the perfect bundt cake recipe with step by step pictures

3. Now separate the eggs into two larger bowls.

Set the egg whites aside. Their time will come a little later.
4. Add the sugar and the vegetable oil into the bowl with the egg yolks and using a hand mixer mix them for about three minutes.
5. Then add the milk and mix for another three minutes.

the perfect bundt cake recipe with step by step pictures

6. Now pour the flour and the baking powder into a smaller bowl and combine them with a spoon.

the perfect bundt cake recipe with step by step pictures

7. Add the flour mixture into the beaten egg-yolk mixture…

the perfect bundt cake recipe with step by step pictures

8. …and using a spatula stir it to combine.

First there will be lumps. But don’t give up, keep stirring and kill them all.

the perfect bundt cake recipe with step by step pictures

9. Finally, grab the bowl containing the egg whites and whip them until firm.
the perfect bundt cake recipe with step by step pictures

10. Using a spatula again, gently fold the whipped egg whites into the batter just until blended.

the perfect bundt cake recipe with step by step pictures

11. Pour the batter into the pan.

the perfect bundt cake recipe with step by step pictures

12. And into the oven it goes for about 30 minutes or until a toothpick (or a wooden skewer) inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean.

When you do the toothpick/skewer test you might find dry crumbs adhering to the skewer. That’s all right. The cake is done.

But when you find raw batter on it that means that the cake needs some more baking.
13. Remove the cake from the oven and let cool.

the perfect bundt cake recipe with step by step pictures

Then place it on your Mom’s old cake stand (which is actually older than you) and admire the beauty for a while.

the perfect bundt cake recipe with step by step pictures

Then make a nice cuppa tea or coffee, cut a big fat slice of the cake (or three) and have the best time ever.

Enjoy, dear friends.

And, please, make this soon.


Posted in recipe

Tagged baking, Baking and Confections, Baking powder, Best bundt cake, Best pound cake, Bundt cake, Bundt cake picture recipe, Bundt cake recipe, cake, cooking, Flour, Home, Homemade bundt cake, Homemade pound cake, How to make bundt cake, How to make pound cake, Oven, Pound Cake, Pound cake picture recipe, Pound cake recipe, Step-by-step bundt cake, Step-by-step pound cake, The best bundt cake, Yellow cake | 11 Comments

Apple Cake

Posted on October 9, 2010 by zoomyummy | Leave a comment

apple cake recipe with step by step pictures

I’m in love with apples and cinnamon.

Forever.

I’ve noticed that I can go without some treat from the cinnamon-apple realm for about two days.

Hm.

It seems that I have issues.

Wonderful and delicious apple-cinnamon-fall issues.

 

Anyway, as I was searching for the right recipe I found out there were loads and loads of different variations of the apple cake.

I borrowed a little from here and a little from there and created this ultra-simple and easy version.

Luckily, everything turned out perfect and the cake tasted just as I’d wished it would have.

Yummilicious!

 

 

apple cake recipe with step by step pictures

Here’s what you need if you want to make it too.

Which is highly advised!

 

 

apple cake recipe with step by step pictures

1. Preheat the oven to 375 F (190 C).
 

2. Then prepare your dry ingredients.

In a bowl, combine the flour, baking powder and salt.

 

 

apple cake recipe with step by step pictures

3. Now, in the bowl of your electric mixer, whisk the butter and 1/3 cup – 70 grams (!) of sugar until light and fluffy.

Please notice that I am using only half of the sugar amount for the batter.

The other half will go on top of the cake.

 

4. Add the whole egg and mix just until blended.

 

 

apple cake recipe with step by step pictures

5. Add the flour mixture in three additions, …

 

 

apple cake recipe with step by step pictures

6. …alternating with the milk, beating until just combined.

The batter is done.

Easy.

 
 

apple cake recipe with step by step pictures

Now we need one apple – any kind, sweet or tart.

 

 

apple cake recipe with step by step pictures

7. Peel the apple.

 

 

apple cake recipe with step by step pictures

8. Cut it in half.

 

9. Using a sharp knife, remove the core.

 

 

apple cake recipe with step by step pictures

10. And slice the apple.

 

 

apple cake recipe with step by step pictures

11. Grab a round pie pan (it should have the capacity of 4 cups/1 liter) and grease it with some butter.

 

12. Pour the batter in the pan and even out the surface.

 

 

apple cake recipe with step by step pictures

13. Lay the apple slices on the batter in concentric circles, starting at the outside edge.

 

 

apple cake recipe with step by step pictures

14. Now, for the final touch we need the remaining sugar (1/3 cup – 70 grams).

Combine the sugar with the cinnamon in a bowl…

 

 

apple cake recipe with step by step pictures

15. …and sprinkle the heavenly fragrant mixture over the apples.

Just like this.

While baking, the mixture will turn into a lovely sugary crust.

If you are not a huge fan of generous sugary crusts, use just about half of the mixture.

 

 

apple cake recipe with step by step pictures

16. Bake for 25 minutes.

 

17. Remove the cake from the oven and let cool on the wire rack.

 

 

apple cake recipe with step by step pictures

Oh, yum!

You can serve this cake as is or (OR!) with a scoop of vanilla ice-cream.

I thank heavens for that combination very, very often.

 

Enjoy, dear friends!

(This recipe was vastly adapted from SimplyRecipes.com.)

 

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Posted in cake, recipe

Tagged apple, Apple cake, Apple Cake recipe, Apple Cake step-by-step, apple pie, Baking and Confections, Best Apple Cake recipe, cake, cinnamon, Cook, Easy Apple Cake, Fall Baking, Fall recipes, Fruits and Vegetables, Home, Ice cream, Mixer (cooking), recipe, Recipes for fall, Sodium bicarbonate, sugar | 28 Comments