Tuesday, March 3, 2009

Chocolate Armagnac Cake - The Cake That Got Me (aka Ms Greenspan) Fired (TWD)

I'm going to apologize in advance for this really short post, as I'm just back from a three day wine tasting trek through the Central Coast (Paso Robles, Santa Barbara). Our wine fridge is now nicely stocked, and we're mentally rested and ready to face the rat race again.

LyB of And Then I Do The Dishes selected Chocolate Armagnac Cake as for this week's Tuesdays With Dorie. With the notoriety of this recipe (as noted in the title), I was eager to make this cake.
This decadent, almost flourless chocolate cake is made with ground pecans and armagnac-soaked (and flambeed) prunes. I dusted off the bottle of cognac I had on hand (mind you, I think we've had this bottle for 10 years --- I hope it doesn't have a limited shelf life), and it served as a respectable substitution for the armagnac.
Of the chocolate cakes made recently (Chocolate Valentino, Devil's Food), I would have to say that this is my favorite.
Please visit LyB's delightful blog for the recipe, and visit the TWD blogroll to enjoy the creations of my fellow TWD bakers.
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38 comments:

  1. MartheMarch 3, 2009 at 12:57 AM

    I absolutely loved this cake too!! Even without the icing....

    Have fun at you wine tasting trip!!

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  2. Isabelle LambertMarch 3, 2009 at 4:24 AM

    ton gâteau est magnifique Linda ! mon dieu que les photos sont belles et gourmandes ! c'est très réussi :)

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  3. NatalieMarch 3, 2009 at 4:58 AM

    your cake looks so deliciously fudgy, and the raspberries make for a beautiful presentation. :)

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  4. AmandaMarch 3, 2009 at 5:30 AM

    Wow what gorgeous photos!! Yours looks considerably moister than mine, I think I may have baked mine a tad long. But at any rate it was still delicious!

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  5. chocolatechicMarch 3, 2009 at 5:46 AM

    Beautiful.

    I didn't have anything but French Brandy to use.

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  6. Jules SomeoneMarch 3, 2009 at 6:16 AM

    This looks just gorgeous. I skipped the frosting, I'm slightly sorry now.

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  7. StephMarch 3, 2009 at 6:48 AM

    Wow, that looks like the perfect slice. Moist, rich, delicious and perfectly cut too!

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  8. DanielleMarch 3, 2009 at 6:58 AM

    Your cake looks so moist! Great job. I skipped this week I didnt have the booze needed to make it.
    Ill just jump back in next week!

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  9. vibiMarch 3, 2009 at 7:35 AM

    Yeah, yeah, yeah... 3 days wine tasting, then Armagnac cake... pfff... come of us have it pretty nice, huh? LOL

    And how come you even have the time to make such beautiful concoctions? Shouldn't you be dosing off all that wine? LOL

    Okay! lovely... anyways.

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  10. doughmessticMarch 3, 2009 at 7:36 AM

    Your ganache is so shiny and beautiful! Jealous!

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  11. The Food LibrarianMarch 3, 2009 at 8:41 AM

    Oh my! What a lovely cake! Mine is going to frosted this evening. I hope my frosting looks as good as yours!!

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  12. betty geekMarch 3, 2009 at 9:28 AM

    That glaze looks insane in the membrane pretty. Can I have that slice? Please???

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  13. AnonymousMarch 3, 2009 at 9:30 AM

    Yes, that's the glossiest glaze I've seen in a long time. Really beautiful cake!

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  14. SihanMarch 3, 2009 at 9:48 AM

    I'm glad you still enjoyed the cake despite the recent onslaught of similar recipes. and i must say that your photo looks gorgeous. the fiery red raspberries against the shiny ganache. Delectable..

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  15. JulieMarch 3, 2009 at 11:35 AM

    Ouuuuhhh, again your pictures are so beautiful! Your cake look absolutely perfect!

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  16. AnonymousMarch 3, 2009 at 11:40 AM

    Oh, I'm jealous. I've so been wanting to go to the Central Coast for a wine-tasting trip. It sounds like you had a blast.

    Your cake looks gorgeous. YUM!

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  17. steph- whisk/spoonMarch 3, 2009 at 2:10 PM

    that is so shiny and fudgy looking...mmmm!

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  18. Mary JoMarch 3, 2009 at 3:25 PM

    if this is one of your favorites, i've got to try it!

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  19. farahMarch 3, 2009 at 6:07 PM

    Wow, it looks great! Glad you enjoyed it :)

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  20. Teanna DiMiccoMarch 4, 2009 at 8:46 AM

    GORGEOUS! I love the chocolate dipped raspberry on the side! Hope you enjoyed your trip!

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  21. MelissaMarch 4, 2009 at 10:29 AM

    beautiful pictures.

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  22. Ingrid_3BsMarch 4, 2009 at 11:13 AM

    Your cake looks wonderful, so fudgy! Love the pop of red from the chocolate dipped raspberries.
    ~ingrid

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  23. Carol Peterman/TableFareMarch 4, 2009 at 5:31 PM

    What a beautiful result! I hope re-entry into the rat race was a little easier having a slice of this cake waiting at home for you.

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  24. snicketmomMarch 4, 2009 at 5:56 PM

    Your pictures ar eso beautiful. I am glad you enjoyed the cake.

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  25. SharonMarch 4, 2009 at 6:43 PM

    Love your photos! The cake looks gorgeous.

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  26. PiggyMarch 5, 2009 at 9:28 AM

    Gorgeous looking cake! it looks so moist and fudgy.. yummy!

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  27. ShariMarch 5, 2009 at 4:10 PM

    A wine fridge full of wine from a recent trip to wine country sounds perfect! I love the swirls on your glaze!

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  28. AnonymousMarch 5, 2009 at 8:30 PM

    I haven't cooked with ground pecans before, only almonds and hazelnuts. Sounds like a tasty new idea. Flambe prunes sounds nice too :)

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  29. BabetteMarch 6, 2009 at 5:18 AM

    Beautiful photos...I am with you--prefer this to the layer cake.

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  30. AmyRuthMarch 6, 2009 at 8:04 AM

    Yes I agree that this cake/torte is better than the devils food. I loved this cake, it may be a favorite from the book. Your photos are beautiful. Love the dipped raspberry, very nice.
    Thanks for stopping by.
    AmyRuth

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  31. UnknownMarch 6, 2009 at 11:09 AM

    Nice job! Your glaze looks so shiny and perfect!

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  32. AnonymousMarch 6, 2009 at 11:10 AM

    I agree- I liked this better than the chocolate Valentino cake. And your trip sounds wonderful!

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  33. AnonymousMarch 6, 2009 at 11:30 AM

    Your cake looks so perfectly fudgy and delicious!

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  34. TeaLadyMarch 6, 2009 at 5:57 PM

    Two chocolate cakes so close together. And they both look delicious. Raspberry certainly adds to both, and love the one dipped in chocolate.

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  35. margotMarch 6, 2009 at 8:00 PM

    Beautiful photos, your cake looks perfect!

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  36. SpikeMarch 7, 2009 at 5:18 PM

    your glaze looks perfect!

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  37. graceMarch 8, 2009 at 8:50 AM

    i think the part of this stellar creation that i like best is the simple fact that your ganache looks wet. it looks as if it would end up all over your face, and that's the way it should be. :)

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  38. LyBMarch 23, 2009 at 6:02 AM

    Oh, my, your cake looks so moist and delicious! I'm so glad you liked it. Thanks for baking along with me! :)

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