Thursday, June 2, 2011

Caramel Frosted Torte with Candied Pecans





Normally I talk about my little ball of joy Indigo, but today I thought I would share some things about myself…I mean Indigo got her personality from someone right? Shall we go through a musical timeline? This could help shed light …or make you want to hide in a dark corner.







Back in the days I used to love to perform for friends and family. The first artist that I remember being a copy cat of was JEM! That’s right Jem of Jem and the Holograms. I used to actually set my tape recorder in front of the TV and record it that way. I was “Truly Truly Truly outrageous”.


Next in the line of musical performances came from Tiffany (I think were alone now) and Debbie Gibson (Out of the Blue)…and then boy crushes reared their ugly head via NKOTB yo! I know anyone who is anyone remembers those hunks.







Naturally being that if you’re from Florida you only have access to shorts that are 2 inches long I moved on to booty music…Can I get a WHOOMP THERE IT IS, or “Tootsie Roll”.


“To the left to the left …to the right to the right…dip baby dip, dip baby dip”

Please forgive me if none of this was not part of your world growing up..If you do remember these songs, well then by all means -  get down with your bad self.

Next came the days of dance. I am seriously a skilled liquid dancer…if you ever accidentally eat a “bad” mushroom (were all foodies, it could happen!) and need some entertainment you can totally call me! Hehe.







My most Favoritest wonderfullest spectacularest song of all time is Porcelain by Moby, if I were walking around living life and was given a choice for background music..this would be it.


What would be your song, the song you want on in the background of your life?
OK musical history over, now let’s talk sweets.







INGREDIENTS (Chocolate Torte)
Delightfully borrowed from Joy of Baking.com
{Full Printable Recipe}


6 large eggs, separated
1 cup (226 grams) unsalted butter, cut into small pieces
9 ounces (255 grams) semisweet or bittersweet chocolate chopped
1 cup (200 grams) granulated white sugar, divided
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar
Candied Pecans (mine were from Trader Joes)







DIRECTIONS (Chocolate Torte)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (177 degrees C) and place oven rack in the center of the oven. Butter a 9 x 3 inch (23 x 8 cm) springform pan or spray with a nonstick cooking spray. Line bottom of pan with parchment paper.


Separate the eggs while still cold, placing the egg whites in one bowl and the egg yolks in another bowl. Cover both with plastic wrap and bring to room temperature (about 30 minutes).







Meanwhile, melt the butter and chocolate in a stainless steel bowl placed over a saucepan of simmering water.


Place egg yolks and 1/2 cup sugar in the bowl of your electric mixer (can also use a hand mixer). Beat on medium high speed until thick and lemon-colored, about 3-5 minutes. (The eggs should have tripled in volume, look thick and soft, and when you lift the beater the mixture falls back into the bowl in a slow ribbon.) Beat in the vanilla extract and melted chocolate mixture.







In a clean bowl, with the whisk attachment, beat the egg whites until foamy. Add the cream of tartar and continue beating until soft peaks form. Gradually add the remaining 1/2 cup sugar and beat until stiff peaks form.







Using a rubber spatula or whisk, fold a small amount of whites into the egg yolk mixture to lighten the batter. Add the remaining egg whites, folding just until incorporated. Do not over mix or the batter will deflate.







Pour into the prepared pan, smoothing the top. Bake the cake for about 50 - 60 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with a few moist crumbs. (During baking the surface of the cake will form a crust which will collapse when the cake is removed from the oven.) Remove from oven and place on a wire rack to cool. The top of the cake will have become hard with a cracked surface and lots of crumbs.







INGREDIENTS (Caramel Frosting)
Delightfully borrowed from nestMeg

1/4 C. butter
3/4 C. light brown sugar
1/4 C. evaporated milk
2 1/2 C. confectioner’s sugar
1 tsp. vanilla
dash of salt






DIRECTIONS (Caramel Frosting)


Melt butter in a heavy pot. Slowly add brown sugar, combining quickly. Stir in evaporated milk. Remove from heat.


Stir in confectioner’s sugar, vanilla, and salt.

Pour frosting on to you torte, spread quickly because this frosting get’s less “pourable” by the second! The torte is very touchy when it comes to forcibly spreading so use frosting right away.







Last step is to place pecans on top of the frosting, give each a little press to settle them in. This cake set’s up fairly quick. Enjoy!

*shakes booty*



43 comments:

tasha faye said...

oh! the title of this post was more than enough to attract me, hahaha. this looks so incredibly delicious! <3 if only i could cook and bake as wonderfully as you, ah. xxx

Unknown said...

Wow this is just gorgeous! I love the textures. So pretty!

Fun and Fearless in Beantown said...

I think you've named my musical history too!

Rosa's Yummy Yums said...

Wow, that looks devilishly scrummy! What a funky torte.

Cheers,

Rosa

Treat and Trick said...

Beautiful and irresistible!

http://treatntrick.blogspot.com

Bite my cake said...

Oh, this torte is heavenly!

Unknown said...

This is one gorgeous looking torte! Oh so beautiful and no doubt delicious! I listen to a lot of music score, and one song I'd love to be the soundtrack of my life is 'building a family' by Mark Isham.

jenn from midlife modern said...

I thought I was the only one who had a running soundtrack in my head! You have made me feel so normal. Bless you!! And yes, Moby makes for excellent background music in my head.

Julie said...

I love the musical walk down memory lane...most of those are past my time, but I recognize some of them. My background music would be "Brandy" by Looking Glass...I have NO idea why. The torte should be sitting in the fanciest bakery and the charge for each slice should make your eyes bulge out...it's that gorgeous!

Kristen said...

you are too cute! I am seeing Paul Simon in concert tonight - speaking of musical influence. I can't wait.

rebecca said...

jennifer, your food pics are so beautiful. you do a wonderful job styling the food as well. or whatever that's called?

Anonymous said...

You had me at caramel frosting. Yum!

pam said...

What a fun musical walk down memory lane. Since, I am much, much older than you, mine must include relics like David Cassidy and Davey Jones.

Val said...

Your musical timeline is priceless and this tart is remarkable!

Anonymous said...

I'm going to try this - it looks beyond delicious!
Mary

Liz That Skinny Chick Can Bake said...

Oh, you're speaking my language! Chocolate. I must be too O.L.D. to remember the music of your youth...except for Debbie Gibson (that dang song will be haunting me all evening ;)). Gorgeous torte...I think I must make it!

Unknown said...

Ooooh how I miss the days of the NKOTB!! And Jem!! Ahhhh Lol. Your totally reminding me if my childhood! Bittersweet : ) Wow, this dessert looks amazing. Pecans are my fave nut.

Velva said...

I am swaying to the booty music with KC and the Sunshine Band, Scary but true.
The torte looks wonderful.

You asked me about starting a wine club. Get a few friends and/ or strangers, that want to discover wine, set a wine theme, a date and let it begin. We meet every 4-6 weeks. It's been a great experience, and I have learned a lot-Go for it.

Velva

aipi said...

The very look of that torte is driving me nuts ~ I want a BIG slice right now :D
US Masala

Christine's Pantry said...

Wow! This looks wonderful!

Liz said...

Mmm, that caramel frosting sounds amazing!

Pretty. Good. Food. said...

You're killing me!!! This looks fantastic!!!

Unknown said...

OMG I need a slice of this STAT!

A SPICY PERSPECTIVE said...

You crack me up. ...and this tart is TO DIE FOR! This is a "must make" recipe for sure!

Just Cake Girl said...

It looks so good! And i love "shakes booty" :)))

Anonymous said...

I'm so glad the frosting worked out for you! This torte looks DIVINE.

Unknown said...

Thanks for taking me back to those wonderful music days!! lol
The background music of my life...anything by Pink Floyd :)
Love the torte, looks so delicious!

Tracy said...

What a gorgeous torte! I'm drooling!

teresa said...

your posts seriously make my day! loved this. and love that tart too!

Kelly said...

wow - that torte looks SO good! yum~

Anonymous said...

Now I'm totally going to try to figure out my background music. :-) In the meantime, this looks amazing. Seriously. Oh my!

Yammie said...

Whoa Nellie. Flourless chocolate cake and caramel frosting are literally my two favorite things. I can't believe I've never thought of putting them together before.

art is in the kitchen said...

This is just irresistibly good Jennifer! You have just convinced me to make this with your fabulous photos! I could almost taste it looking at them! Have a wonderful weekend!

Jihane @ Sinful Sundays said...

This torte looks awesome--love caramel!

Thanks for your kind comments on my blog. :) Just poured through here and bookmarked a bunch of recipes, lol.

Sue said...

This torte got more and more amazing as I scrolled down! Beautiful!

Anonymous said...

Your blog, recipes and photos are absolutely gorgeous. So glad i found you via my guest post. I hav to say, LOVE anything caramel..dabbled in Jem, and always wondered whether it was 'WHHOOMP' there it is..or 'WHOOT' thete it is. Great tune and I'm bookmarking this cake - it's perfection!

Clements Family said...

Wow...that looks awesome!!

Ashleigh said...

This looks amazing! I think I would just DIE if I could have a bite of that right now.

sherri lynn said...

This looks incredible!! I just found your blog, and because I am drooling over this and the chicken/rice/mexican dish, I am your newest follower :)

Unknown said...

My oh my you just took me back. Wow! Too awesome! All of those songs are like a walk down memory lane. LOL!

This torte is absolutely stunning. It looks so delicious! Thanks for sharing!

Jade said...

caramel and chocolate!! This sounds heavenly!

Ingrid_3Bs said...

I'm not terribly fond of chocolate but that caramel frosting is drawing me in.
~ingrid

enestvmel said...

OMG! This looks wonderful! I am for sure going to try this one! I have been trying to not as many sweets, but I LOVE TO BAKE. My husband works on a Hotshot Forest Service firefighter crew, and they are my out. I get to bake for over 20 guys at a time and I don't have to eat a bite. They will LOVE this!! Thanks for the recipe!!