Tuesday, October 7, 2008

Caramel PECAN-Topped Brownie Cake (TWD)

Tammy from Wee Treats By Tammy made this terrific selection for this week's TWD baking exercise. Previously, I've made this cake on many occasions with great success during my PB (pre blogging) days, so I'm excited to finally have an opportunity to take pictures and write a post about this delicious cake. There is something so seductive about having a warm, gooey caramel sauce studded with nuts enveloping a moist, dense chocolate cake...oh my!!! You can't go wrong with this recipe!

My only variations from the original recipe:

1.) Individual servings: I wondered how this recipe would hold up if there were made into individual cakes (I worry that the cake would come out too dry). For the individual servings I used 6 flat bottom baking cups (they look like mini panetone liners), and adjusted the baking time (325F for ~25 minutes):


2.) Pecans: I usually go for the toasted chopped pecans instead of the peanuts. I prefer the taste and texture of pecans: 3.) Caramel sauce recipe quantity: As the caramel sauce recipe makes WAY more that you would need for a single cake, I cut that recipe in half.

I loved these little cakes!!! The cake itself was very moist (whew!), and they were a perfectly sized individual portions. This caramel sauce is wonderfully gooey and it makes for a terrific presentation if you pour the sauce over the cake as you serve it to your guests. The bonus on the the caramel --- it doesn't turn to a hard brittle when it cools.
If you'd like to make this yourself, Tammy has the recipe on her site. If you're lovin' this cake, check out more delicious versions of this recipe at the Tuesdays With Dorie blogroll.

41 comments:

Engineer Baker said...

Wow, those look fantastic and so adorable. I liked that the caramel didn't solidify too, it stayed nice and gooey :)

CB said...

I love the mini brownie-cakes! After seeing your version, I am kicking myself for not using pecans. I debated between them but finally chose peanuts to stay true to Dorie's recipe. You can bet the next time I baked this I am using pecans! Great job!
Clara @ iheartfood4thought

Isabelle Lambert said...

mon dieu !! quelles magnifiques photos ! c'est rendre justice à ce superbe dessert :) bravo !

The Food Librarian said...

Awesome! Did you get those liners at Surfas?! (I've eyed them there and think they are just so cute). Your caramel looks fantastic. I love all your photos. Are you using a lightbox?

chocolatechic said...

Yours look lovely.

Jules Someone said...

Those look just amazing! I love the pecans. Gorgeous.

Marthe said...

Wow, your pictures look amazing!! Now I'm really looking forward to baking this cake tonight!!

Stephanie said...

Your pictures are amazing!

Amy of Sing For Your Supper said...

Oh my gosh...these look SO good!!!


-Amy
www.singforyoursupperblog.com

vibi said...

As usual I'm back... always at the post!
...and thank goodness I came! LOL
I would not have missed that last picture for the world! I'm actually thinking of printing it and pin it to my fridge... uh, nahhh... not a good thing for the diet, I guess!
BRAVISSIMOOOooooo!!!

Qataria said...

Simply beautiful!
Good job!

Anonymous said...

ive been stalking pictures of all the different twd posts and i gotta say, yours looks the most appealing :)

Flourchild said...

AHHH your topping is making my head spin it looks sooo good. WOW you did a wonderful job! I used pecans too, but in a fudge topping. I love your pictures!

Mary Jo said...

those look so good! i love your swap, i prefer pecans over peanuts. and single serving, perfect.

Rachel said...

I screwed up my caramel and it did turn to a hard brittle, but yours looks so good I may just have to try again!

Anonymous said...

Looks delicious. Like everyone else, I'm kicking myself for not using pecans!

Carol Peterman/TableFare said...

The single portions are wonderful and your caramel topping looks so delicious.

Bria said...

They look amazing! I was *so* close to going with caramel pecan topped brownie cake too! I think if I tried this cake again I'd definitely do it.

Fit Chick said...

Thank you for the comment and I will try this recipe again. I love your individual cakes; would probably work in the Texas size muffin tins also. I prefer pecans also and would not use the peanuts again. Your pictures look GREAT!

test it comm said...

Those look so good with the caramel sauce dripping all over them.

Tammy said...

fabulous photos!!! I love the idea of pecans!

steph- whisk/spoon said...

little beauties! they really stand out nicely against that blue background!

spike. said...

They came out great, I love a mini dessert

kimberly salem said...

awesome pics!! your cakes look delectable :) i love those baking cups, so cute!

Peggy said...

What a great photo! They look great and the caramel looks nice.

Mari said...

I wish my cake had been moist, it would have changed my mind about it. Whatever the case, yours looks gorgeous!

Heather B said...

mmmm...pecans and caramel! Perfect!

Y said...

It seems everywhere I turn, there's a brownie cake with nuts on top! :D Yours looks fantastic, especially with that caramel sauce.

Sandy Smith said...

Wow, I love the pecan variation you chose! I made minicakes too, and was pleased with that format. Your pics are spectacular!!

Rigby said...

Your photos are beautiful! Pecans sound wonderful :)

Audrey said...

It was a great idea to make these as little cakes - your pictures are gorgeous.

Anonymous said...

It sounds like they turned out amazing!!! They look absolutely gorgeous and I love those liners that you used!

PheMom said...

See!! This is what I wanted mine to turn out like. Fabulous!!!

Anonymous said...

wow, these look absolutely beautiful!

Bungalow Barbara said...

Your pictures are fabulous! Love those minis. Drool, drool...

Shari said...

Absolutely perfect!! And I think pecans go so well with chocolate too.

Anonymous said...

Your cakes look awesome! I wish I would of made individual cakes.

Cherie
*Weekly Giveaways on my blog!
http://www.craftyjuicebroker.wordpress.com

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Peabody said...

With pecans? Oh, so the way to go! Looks great.

LyB said...

Those drippy caramel pics look fantastic! The caramel gets me every time. Looks delicious!

Lauren said...

That has to be the most gorgeous cake photo ever!

Just linked your blog, for food porn purposes only! I have a "healthy" cooking blog, but can't resist taking a peek at your mouthwatering photos. Truly magnificent. ;)

Sarah said...

Oh my gosh! Absolutely delicious! Thanks for this amazing recipe!

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