Decadent Chocolate Beet Cake With Candied Pecans Food

CHOCOLATE BEET CAKE

Steps:

• For the penuche frosting: Melt the butter in a saucepan over medium heat and add the brown sugar. Bring to a boil, then reduce to medium-low heat and simmer for 2 minutes. Stir until the brown sugar is dissolved. Make sure to not scrape the sides of the pan. Add the half-and-half and bring to a boil for another 2 minutes. Remove from the heat to cool, 10 to 15 minutes.
• Gradually add the confectioners' sugar to the butter mixture and beat with an electric mixer on medium until thick, smooth and creamy. Makes 3 to 4 cups.
• For the chocolate fudge frosting: Over a double boiler or in the microwave, melt the butter. Add the chocolate chips and stir until smooth. Add the vanilla and instant coffee, if using, and stir until smooth. Makes about 3 cups.
• For the chocolate beet cake: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Grease two 8-inch cake pans with vegetable oil.
• In a bowl, stir together the flour, baking soda and salt. In a separate large bowl, combine the eggs, granulated sugar and 1/2 cup vegetable oil and beat with an electric mixer on medium speed until light pale yellow and fluffy.
• Melt the chocolate and remaining 1/4 cup vegetable oil in a double boiler or a heatproof bowl set over (not it) a pot of simmering water.
• Add the chocolate mixture to the egg mixture, and then add the beets and vanilla and mix. Slowly add the dry ingredients just until everything is incorporated. Put the batter in the prepared cake pans and bake until a tester comes out clean, 45 to 50 minutes. Let cool for 5 minutes in the pans, then turn out onto cooling racks to cool completely.
• Frost the cake between the layers with the penuche frosting and the outside of the cake with the chocolate fudge frosting.

DECADENT CHOCOLATE CAKE

Steps:

• For the cake: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Spray two 9-inch cake pans with nonstick cooking spray.
• Combine the flour, granulated sugar, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder and salt in the bowl of a stand mixer and mix on low until well combined (the mixture will be one uniform color). With the machine running on low, add the milk, boiling water, vegetable oil, vanilla and eggs. Mix on high, scraping down the sides as needed, until well combined and the mixture has air bubbles, about 1 minute.
• Divide the batter between the prepared cake pans and bake until a knife inserted in the center comes out clean, about 40 minutes. Let cool about 10 minutes in the pans. Run a thin knife around the edge of each cake, then invert the cakes onto a rack and let cool completely, 20 to 30 minutes.
• Using a serrated knife, cut a small portion from the top of each cake to completely flatten it. Save the trimmings for another use.
• For the frosting: When ready to assemble the cake, combine the powdered sugar and butter in a food processor and pulse until well combined. Add the chocolate and continue to pulse, scraping down the sides as needed. Add the sour cream and process until very smooth, about 1 minute.
• Place one cake layer on a platter and spread half of the frosting on top. Flip over the second cake layer, making sure the flattened side is facing the bottom, and place on top of the first cake layer. Spread the remaining frosting to cover only the top of the cake (leave the sides without frosting). Serve.

DECADENT CHOCOLATE BEET CAKE WITH CANDIED PECANS

Steps:

• (This step can be done one or two days ahead of time). Preheat oven to 400°F (205°C). Clean the beets and wrap them in aluminum foil. Roast them until their knife-tender (about 1 hour), then allow them to cool.
• Using a food processor or the fine side of a box grater, shred enough beet to yield about 1 cup. You want the pieces to be quite small, so don't be afraid to shred the beets quite finely.
• Preheat oven to 350°F (176°C).
• Line two round 8 or 9 inch cake (see note) tins with parchment paper and gently flour the sides.
• Melt chocolate in a bain-marie (double-boiler) or in a bowl over hot water. Keep the chocolate warm, but don't allow it to scorch.
• Use a hand or stand mixer to cream the butter and sugar in a large bowl until very fluffy.
• Beat in one egg at a time, then add vanilla, 3/4 cup (~180 g) shredded beets and melted chocolate.
• Combine the dry ingredients in a separate bowl (flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, cocoa powder) and sift to aerate.
• Add the dry ingredients and the buttermilk to the beet mixture, a little bit at a time. Stop as soon as the batter is well-mixed and smooth. Spoon mixture into cake tins. Bake until a toothpick comes out clean (about 30 minutes, but keep an eye on it as ovens can vary quite a bit), then cool
• Spread the sugar evenly in a large, heavy-bottomed pan and heat on the stovetop over medium-high heat. Once the sugar darkens and begins to melt and bubble at the edges, add the vanilla, water, and salt to the pan. The caramel should sizzle dramatically. Once the mixture settles down a little, stir gently, and reduce the heat to a very low setting.
• Stir in the pecan pieces, ensuring that they're completely covered in caramel. Remove the candied pecans from heat and spread them out on a large, flat, heat-proof surface (e.g. a baking tray). Once cooled, break the clumps into small bits with a knife or by hand (but be careful - the sugar can be quite sharp).
• Either squeeze as much juice as you can from the reserved beet puree, or incorporate the puree itself if it's finely grated enough (but be careful if you plan to pipe the icing, as small pieces will stick in some tips).
• Place the beet puree (or juice) in a large bowl along with the other frosting ingredients. Use a stand or hand mixer to whip until the icing is well combined and somewhat airy. Set aside to chill in the refrigerator.
• If your cakes are a little domed, carefully slice off the rounded portion to make a flatter top.
• Mix the candied pecans with about 3/4 cup of the frosting. Spread this over the first layer of cake, then place the second layer on top.
• Frost the cake by spreading the frosting with a flat utensil, or if you prefer, by piping with a pastry bag. Serve immediately, or chill to set the frosting a bit more.

CHOCOLATE BEET CAKE

Steps:

• Cover beets with 2 inches water in a pot. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat, and simmer until very tender when pierced with the tip of a sharp paring knife, about 30 minutes. Drain. Puree beets in a food processor until smooth.
• Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Whisk together flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking soda, and 3/4 teaspoon salt in a large bowl. Whisk in eggs, water, oil, vanilla, and 1 1/4 cups beet puree (reserve remaining puree for another use).
• Coat a 9-inch round cake pan (3 inches deep) with cooking spray. Line bottom with parchment, and coat with spray. Pour batter into pan. Bake until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, about 45 minutes. Let cool in pan on a wire rack for 20 minutes. Turn out cake from pan, and discard parchment. Let cool completely, right side up.
• Trim top of cake using a serrated knife to create a level surface. Transfer cake, cut side down, to a platter. Pour chocolate glaze over the top, and let set, about 30 minutes. Garnish with beet chips.

THE VERY BEST, MOST DELICIOUS AND MOIST CHOCOLATE CAKE YOU'LL EVER TASTE (WITH A SURPRISE INGREDIENT: BEETS)!

Steps:

• Prepare two, 8″ or 9″ baking pans (or one, 9×13″); butter and flour them well.
• Puree the beets in a food processor along with the eggs, vanilla, oil and the sugar.
• In a large bowl, place the dry ingredients, then add the pureed mixture.
• Beat with an electric or stand mixer on low speed until well combined.
• Pour batter into prepared pans and bake in preheated oven for 25 to 30 minutes, or until done a a tester (or skewer) comes out clean.
• Remove from pans after a few minutes and allow to cool completely on racks.
• Meanwhile, make the buttercream frosting by beating the butter until soft, then adding the sugar, cocoa, 1/4 cup (2 oz) coffee and salt, and mixing until creamy and smooth. Continue to add more coffee until a soft, spreadable, or pipable consistency is reached.
• Cut the tops off the cake to make them level, you can see photos on this post. Place one layer of the moist chocolate cake on a serving plate and spread some buttercream on top.
• Place the second layer on top and decorate as desired with the frosting and other decorations, if desired (I put some almond crunch pieces on the sides.)

DECADENT CHOCOLATE CAKE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F. Generously spray a 10-inch Bundt pan with cooking spray.
• Combine the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, cardamom, and salt in a medium bowl. Combine the cocoa and espresso powder in a small bowl. Pour the boiling water over the cocoa mixture, whisking until smooth. Stir in the vanilla.
• Whisk together the yogurt, milk, oil, egg, and egg white in a large bowl; stir in the cocoa mixture until blended. Gradually add the flour mixture, stirring just until combined. Stir in the currants and chopped chocolate.
• Pour the batter into the pan. Bake in the center of the oven until a cake tester inserted in the cake comes out clean, about 50 minutes. Cool on a baking rack for 10 minutes, then turn the cake out onto a baking rack to cool completely. Dust generously with confectioners' sugar just before serving.

DECADENT CHOCOLATE CAKE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 300 degrees F.
• Cream and butter and sugar n a large mixing bowl, using a hand-held electric mixer.
• Add eggs, 1 at a time, beating after each addition.
• In a separate bowl stir together baking soda and buttermilk. Add flour to the butter mixture alternately with buttermilk, beginning and ending with flour. Stir in the mini morsels and melted baking chocolate, then add chocolate syrup and vanilla extract.
• Spoon batter into a heavily greased and floured 10-inch tube pan. Bake for 1 1/2 hours until cake springs back when touched. Remove from the oven and invert immediately onto a serving plate. Cool completely.
• For the topping:
• In a microwave bowl melt white chocolate with 2 tablespoons shortening in the microwave. Drizzle over cake.
• In another bowl melt 1/2 cup mini chocolate morsels with remaining 2 tablespoons shortening in microwave. Drizzle over cake.
• This cake can be baked in 12 mini Bundt pans. Allow 1 mini cake per serving. Freeze remaining cakes for a quick dessert for your next dinner party.
• Per serving: Calories 665; Total Fat 34g; (Sat Fat 20 g, Mono Fat 6 g, Poly Fat 1 g); Protein 9 g; Carb 82 g; Fiber 1 g; Cholesterol 120 mg; Sodium 133 mg

DECADENT (GLUTEN-FREE!) CHOCOLATE CAKE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F. Grease an 8-inch springform pan and line the bottom with parchment paper.
• Place the one pound of chocolate in a large heatproof bowl set over a pan of simmering water and stir occasionally until the chocolate is melted. Off the heat, immediately stir in the butter, flour, sugar, coffee granules and salt with a rubber spatula. Whisk in the egg yolks until smooth.
• Place the egg whites in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the whisk attachment and beat until they form soft peaks. Scrape the egg whites into the chocolate mixture and fold them in very carefully with a rubber spatula, just until combined. Scrape the mixture into the prepared pan, smooth the top and bake for 15 minutes exactly. (Be sure your oven temperature is accurate!)
• Turn the oven off and leave the cake in the oven, leaving the door slightly ajar. Allow the cake to cool in the oven for 1 hour. The cake will sink in the middle.
• Carefully release the sides of the pan and slide the cake onto a flat serving plate or cake stand. Place the 3 ounces of chocolate and the heavy cream in a heatproof bowl set over a pan of simmering water and heat just until the chocolate melts, stirring occasionally. Add a drop of cream if the mixture is too thick to pour. Pour the chocolate onto the sunken part of the cake, leaving the edge unfrosted. Allow to cool and serve warm or at room temperature with a scoop of ice cream.

CHOCOLATE-BEET CAKES WITH CANDIED BEETS AND ROSE PETALS

Steps:

• To make the candied beets: Divide simple syrup evenly between three medium saucepans. Bring to a boil over medium heat. Add each variety of beets to a different saucepan and bring to a simmer. Reduce heat to low and simmer until beets are translucent, about 1 hour. Remove from heat and let cool completely.
• Line a baking sheet with a nonstick baking mat or parchment paper. Place sugar in a shallow dish. Gently drain beets, taking care not to break them, and dredge in sugar. Transfer to baking sheet and place in a cold oven to dry overnight. Beets may be kept in an airtight container for up to 1 week.
• To make the cake: Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Trim the tops from beets, leaving about 1 inch of the stems. Line a large piece of aluminum foil with a piece of parchment paper; make a bed of coarse salt in the center. Place beet on salt and tightly wrap foil to enclose. Transfer to oven and roast until beets are very tender, about 1 hour.
• When beets are cool enough to handle, peel and cut into large pieces. Transfer to the bowl of a food processor; process until very smooth. Strain and measure out 1/2 cup for the cake; reserve remaining beet puree for the sauce.
• Reduce oven temperature to 350 degrees. Butter a 9-by-9-inch square baking pan; coat with sugar, tapping out excess, and set aside.
• Sift together flour, baking soda, and 1/8 teaspoon salt onto a piece of parchment paper; set aside. In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, beat together sugar, egg, and oil on medium-high speed until pale and light. Beat in vanilla and slowly add flour mixture; beat until well combined. Add chocolate and beat until well combined. Add 1/2 cup beet puree and beat until well combined.
• Pour batter into prepared pan and rap on the work surface to remove air bubbles. Transfer to oven and bake, rotating pan after 10 minutes of baking, until a cake tester inserted into the center comes out clean, 18 to 20 minutes total. Let cool completely before removing from pan.
• To make the raspberry-beet sauce: Place the raspberries in the bowl of a food processor and process until smooth. Strain, discarding solids, and measure out 1 cup of puree.
• Place 1 cup raspberry puree in a medium saucepan along with 1/4 cup reserved beet puree and vanilla bean and seeds. Place saucepan over medium heat and bring to a boil.
• In a small bowl, mix together sugar and apple pectin; add to saucepan and return to a boil. Strain sauce into a medium bowl and cover with plastic wrap. Transfer to refrigerator and chill for at least 2 hours or up to 2 days.
• To serve: Using a 3 1/2-inch heart-shaped cutter, cut out six heart shapes from the cake. Using a 1 1/2-inch heat-shaped cutter, cut out the center of each 3 1/2-inch heart. Dust large hearts with confectioners' sugar; place one on each of six plates. Fill the center of each heart with raspberry-beet sauce and drizzle some of the sauce on the plate. Lean the smaller heart against the larger heart.
• Using a soup spoon, scoop up a mounded spoonful of vanilla whipped cream; slide second soup spoon on top of first, with spoons pointing in opposite directions. Spoon whipped cream back and forth a few times, scraping it into a small, neat egg shape. Place on one of the plates. Repeat process five times until each plate has a scoop of whipped cream. Crush a rose petal over each plate and serve immediately.