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.

38 comments:

Marthe said...

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

Have fun at you wine tasting trip!!

Isabelle Lambert said...

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

Natalie said...

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

Amanda said...

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!

chocolatechic said...

Beautiful.

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

Jules Someone said...

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

Steph said...

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

Danielle said...

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!

vibi said...

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.

doughmesstic said...

Your ganache is so shiny and beautiful! Jealous!

The Food Librarian said...

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

betty geek said...

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

Anonymous said...

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

Sihan said...

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..

Julie said...

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

Anonymous said...

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!

steph- whisk/spoon said...

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

Mary Jo said...

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

farah said...

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

Teanna DiMicco said...

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

Melissa said...

beautiful pictures.

Ingrid_3Bs said...

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

Carol Peterman/TableFare said...

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.

snicketmom said...

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

Sharon said...

Love your photos! The cake looks gorgeous.

Piggy said...

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

Shari said...

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

Anonymous said...

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

Babette said...

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

AmyRuth said...

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

Unknown said...

Nice job! Your glaze looks so shiny and perfect!

Anonymous said...

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

Anonymous said...

Your cake looks so perfectly fudgy and delicious!

TeaLady said...

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

margot said...

Beautiful photos, your cake looks perfect!

Spike said...

your glaze looks perfect!

grace said...

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. :)

LyB said...

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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