Tuesday, February 3, 2015

Chocolate Cup Cake

Chocolate Cake With Purple Sweet Potato Cream

DSC_5893I lost 1 pound in two weeks…swell, right? Honestly, dieting is stressing me out…I definitely need a cheat day once a month. This chocolate cake sounds really delicious! I need to a test run for Saint Valentine’s cake anyway, D’accord? (agree?)..Oui, oui.

IMG_2376

This cake is not overly difficult I think (delusional, perhaps)…it has lots of steps though…many dirty dishes to wash - I crammed most of them into the dishwasher but not all bowls fit in there…phew! To avoid being overwhelmed by lengthy instructions, I baked cake the night before.

Ingredients and Instructions for 1 cake (skip this process if you are using store bought chocolate sponge cake) (Print Recipe Here)

Necessary equipment – 1 round cake pan (7 inch cake pan prefer, 8 inch round pan is acceptable), parchment paper, food scale, food thermometer, sifter, stand  mixer or hand held electric mixer.

  • 3 eggs
  • 1 egg yolk
  • 100g granulated sugar
  • 75g low viscosity flour (薄力粉)
  • 15g unsweetened cocoa powder
  •  15g milk
  • 10g vegetable oil
  • 20g butter
  1. Before you start, do  A, B and C  A. Get some parchment paper (do not use non-stick kind because it prevents the cake from rising, I used printer paper) cut to the size of round pan bottom and 1 inch taller than the sides. B. combine milk, oil and butter in a small bowl, double boil to melt and keep around 122F..C. Sift flour and cocoa powder 3 times.DSC_5849DSC_5851
  2. Set mixing bowl over a size smaller pan with hot water (water should not touch the bottom of top bowl) simmering. Beat eggs, egg yolk and sugar with whisk until temperature reaches 98F. Remove bowl from heat and run electric mixer on high (my stand mixer, speed # 8) for 7 minutes, change the speed to low (speed # 2), mix for 4 minutes.DSC_5853
  3. Start heating oven to 338F. With rubber spatula, sprinkle flour and fold in 4 sections. Scoop the batter from bottom of the bowl to gently incorporate. Turn the bowl 1/4 circle every time you put flour in. Do not over work this process and do this as quickly as possible.DSC_5854
  4. Check the temperature of milk mixture, if it is below 122F then warm up to right temperature. Use deep ladle to transfer one big scoop of batter into milk mixture and mix well. Back into the bowl of batter and fold in from bottom. 4-5 times.This step helps blend better than pour milk mixture straight into the batter.
    DSC_5855
  5. Fill batter into paper lined pan within an inch or so from the top Stir lightly over the pan with spatula to prevent center of cake to cave in. Hold pan with both hands and tap the cake pan on hard counter 2-3 times to remove air bubbles. Bake for 30 minutes. Insert wooden skewer to check the doneness. Remove from oven, drop the cake pan from 5-6 inches above counter, this helps prevent the cake from sinking. Remove the cake from the pan, place it on cooling rack for a few minutes.
    DSC_5856
  6. Remove paper from side and bottom. Place it up-side down on cooling rack. Wrap with plastic wrap while the cake is slightly warm, this will keep it moist
    DSC_5875
     

Ingredients and Instruction for Purple Sweet Potato Cream and Chocolate veneer (printable recipe at cake instruction)

Necessary equipment – food scale, food thermometer, non-stick parchment paper, electric mixer, fine mesh strainer

  • 300g (about) Purple Sweet Potato, peel skin and cut in chunks
  • 45g granulated sugar
  • 45g milk
  • 70g plus Chantilly cream – whip 100g of heavy cream with 1 Tablespoon sugar until soft peak
  • 2-3 drops of rum flavoring (optional)
  • 300g (about) chocolate shaved  Note: I used Hershey special dark chocolate bar.
  1. Sweet potato paste – Place cut sweet potatoes in medium pan and pour in cold water, bring to boil then simmer until soft. Drain water through colander. put potato back in the same pan, shake the pan to remove the moisture with remaining heat. Add sugar, milk then smash potatoes with potato masher or fork while it’s still hot. Strain through fine mesh, this process enforces creaminess.
    DSC_5858 DSC_5863DSC_5868DSC_5871
  2. When the sweet potato paste is cooled, add Chantilly cream 1/3 at a time and mix well to achieve soft but not too loose cream. Add rum flavoring if using and stir. Cover and keep in the refrigerator until needed.DSC_5873
  3. Prep for chocolate veneer – cut parchment paper to size – exact perimeter of the cake(s) x 1/2inch taller than cake height. Note: I was making individual cakes instead of 1 large, so needed 5,6 rectangular sheets. In order to make smaller cakes, just use a round biscuit cutter or a glass cup.
  4. Tempering chocolate – set aside a large bowl of 1-2 cups* of ice water. Double boil shaved chocolate (boil the water in pan, sit a bowl of chocolate on top, water not touching the bottom of the bowl) to melt, stirring frequently. When the temperature reaches 96F, remove from heat and carefully put in the ice water bowl so that water does not get in the chocolate, continue to stir to lower the temperature to 80F. Put bowl back in the double boiler, raise the chocolate temperature to 90F. *water level should not be over the chocolate bowl.
    DSC_5876DSC_5878 
  5. Spread tempered chocolate evenly (do not spread too thick, especially if you want to achieve the delicate look) on the prepared parchment paper(s) using plastic spreader and let it (them) cool for 2-3 minutes
    .IMG_2374DSC_5879
  6. Attach the chocolate/parchment sheet to side of cake(s). Refrigerate until chocolate is solid. Gently peel off parchment paper.DSC_5884Don’t be afraid of imperfection…distressed look is interesting, it adds drama!DSC_5886
  7. Construction – Put sweet potato cream in a piping bag with *tip attached (if the cream is very cold, microwave for 10-20 seconds with 50% power to loosen). Pipe out cream to fill space on top of cake. *Any tip but pinhole tip works.
    Decorate with fruits (optional).
    I added Chantilly cream on a few.IMG_2377

I quickly distributed some to my neighbors…to avoid over indulging. I hope I’m not sabotaging their diet if they are on one …so far they’re gracious recipients.

Although this cake is mighty fine… maybe not that ONE for Valentine’s Day…keep searching…I thought we’re going out, my husband quipped…right,
Je sais (I know).

23 comments:

  1. I love love that purple potato paste! The cake looks really beautiful and divine.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Angie. Everything you create look fantastic!

      Delete
  2. Keep sending your delicious creations our way....Thank you for your generosity and thoughtfulness!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you so much Danae. I definitely will, thanks!

      Delete
  3. う~む、これは首尾よく必要なものを準備して、「よしやるぞ!」の気合がなければ作れません。できればとっても幸せなご近所の方のように作った方から頂くのが一番。:形が崩れている(不均斉い)は禅の7つの美の一つですよね。完璧でないところに愛情の居場所があるような気がします。

    紫いものクリーム美味しそう! ところで、安納芋(あんのういも)をご存じですか? 紫芋と共に種子島の芋を代表する糖度16位のさつまいも。時間をかけてゆっくり焼くともっと甘くなり、焼き芋にはこれ!です。お正月の栗きんとんもまるでクリームみたいでした。栽培が難しいようでお値段は高めです。

    コメントありがとうございます。いつも写真をほめていただきうれしいです。もっとちゃんと撮るには高い技術が必要ですが、こだわりのあるプロの先生でなく、視野の広い普通の方に好きだと言われるのが一番うれしいです。写真の烏はクローズアプなので大きくみえるのだと思うのですが・・・烏のことあまり詳しくなくてすみません。

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. ありがとうございます。 奈良の冬は寒そうですね。 写真とても素敵でした。プロですね、すでに。

      Delete
  4. Absolutely beautiful and it looks delicious.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Absolutely beautiful and it looks delicious.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Oui Oui...I like! Don't worry, I'm never on diet..Never! ;P

    ReplyDelete
  7. OMGAWD! Are you kidding me!!! That is BEAUTIFUL!!!!!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  8. OMG! I'd never eat it! It's waaaaayyy too pretty! So good!

    ReplyDelete
  9. This is very unique dessert. I love the color and combination of ingredients. Thank you for your idea!!

    Hugs,

    Yelena

    ReplyDelete
  10. I am so impressed by this state-of-this art dessert! It looks so professional...
    Congratulations for the weight loss! Special treats are necessary to keep us motivated, aren't they?

    ReplyDelete
  11. Hi Nippon Nin,

    I wish that I can be your neighbours... These desserts look heavenly!!! Wish that that I can have at least one!!! :p

    Zoe

    ReplyDelete
  12. Congratulations on winning the 1st prize at the Chocolate Lovers Recipe contest. This dessert looks delicious & beautiful!

    ReplyDelete
  13. Congratulations on winning the 1st prize at the Chocolate Lovers Recipe contest. This dessert looks delicious & beautiful!

    ReplyDelete
  14. Thanks for the good and useful information. I keep track of your blogs all the time and it's very nice.
    ออกกำลังกาย

    ReplyDelete
  15. I have to voice my passion for your kindness giving support to those people that should have guidance on this important matter. delta 8 white chocolate bar

    ReplyDelete