Thursday, September 10, 2009

Birthday Cake Ina Style


It’s Barefoot Bloggers time. Barefoot Bloggers are a community of bloggers that get together twice monthly to make, eat and post about Ina Graten’s recipes. Today’s recipe was chosen by Susy of Everyday Gourmet. Susy chose Birthday Sheet Cake. Happy Birthday to Susy, who will be celebrating a birthday this month.

I followed the recipe to the letter with the exception of halving it. We will be celebrating my husband’s birthday on Sunday and frankly it’s just too much cake for me. Can you hear the sound of the button on my pants popping? If not, have no fear you’ll get to hear yours after you eat this cake. Holy Smokey's the calories in this cake are outrageous. It is yummy and chocolaty so if you put in an extra day at the gym treat yourself to this cake.

Oh and it’s messy!

Here is Ina’s recipe.

Ingredients

For the cake:nocoupons

  • 18 tablespoons (2 1/4 sticks) unsalted butter, at room temperature
  • 3 cups sugar
  • 6 extra-large eggs, at room temperature
  • 8 ounces (about 1 cup) sour cream, at room temperature
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
  • 1 lemon, zested
  • 3 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1/3 cup cornstarch
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda

For the frosting:nocoupons

  • 24 ounces semisweet chocolate chips
  • 1 1/2 cups heavy cream
  • 2 tablespoons light corn syrup
  • 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • 4 tablespoons (1/2 stick) unsalted butter, at room temperature
  • Chocolate candies for decorating (recommended: M&M's)

Directions

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Butter and flour a 12 by 18 by 1 1/2-inch sheet pan.

To make the cake, cream the butter and sugar on medium-high speed in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a paddle attachment until light and fluffy, about 5 minutes. On medium speed, add the eggs, 2 at a time, then the sour cream, vanilla, and lemon zest, scraping

down the bowl as needed. Mix well. Sift together the flour, cornstarch, salt, and baking soda. With the mixer on low speed, slowly add the flour mixture to the butter mixture and stir just until smooth. Finish mixing by hand to be sure the batter is well mixed. Pour evenly into the pan, smooth the top with a spatula, and bake in the center of the oven for 25 to 30 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool in the pan to room temperature.

For the frosting, place the chocolate chips and heavy cream in a bowl set over a pot of simmering water, stirring occasionally, until the chips are completely melted. Off the heat, add the corn syrup and vanilla and allow the chocolate mixture to cool to room temperature. In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, whisk the chocolate mixture and softened butter on medium speed for a few minutes, until it's thickened.

Spread the frosting evenly on the cake. Have the children decorate the cake with chocolate candies.

24 comments:

Suzie said...

I really enjoyed this cake too. Love the pic of your little ones decorating - such concentration!

Selba said...

The cake looks cute :) High calories cake?

grace said...

that's a SPECTACULARLY sloppy frosting--i love it. :)

Amy Nicole said...

So yummy! How do you stay so thin? You must have great will power!

Jennifer said...

Wow that looks yummy and the sweet little ones just waiting to eat it! Too cute!

Palidor said...

That looks amazingly rich and delicious!

Jackie said...

Your cake looks like it turned out well! I'm glad that you liked it :) I changed mine into cupcakes and found that I think I baked them too long, because they were on the drier side.

BMK said...

Thanks for the award! I'm a little behind of my blogging this week! We had a fun and messy time decorating this cake too!

Foodiewife said...

I should have followed your lead, and halved the recipe. Instead, my version turned out to be a tower of calories. I ate 1/2 slice, frozen half (to give away) and sent the other half to my husband's office.
Whew! What will power! Ready for cake #2???

redkathy said...

Are the kids saying, Oh Mom don't take our picture! They are so cute. The cakes looks delish. Wish I did more baking. I'm not very good with the cakes and cookies. I need more practice ;)

Zoe said...

Aww that photo is so sweet! I want a slice right now! It looks so moist and delicious!

Debbie said...

One word - YUM! Looks delicious! This looks like a great birthday cake and I am keeping this recipe for the future. I will have to try it!

Shelly said...

Oh man sign me up for this messy or not! Delicious! Your kids look like they had fun decorating :)

Velva said...

That is a great basic , delicious cake.
I would probably enjoy it and all its calories and still not make it to the gym :-)

Daziano said...

Yes, I think I remember that episode. She made this for some kids too, right?

Claudia said...

I love Ina's recipes - they always work. And your scrumptious cake is proof positive. Lucky family!

Chats the Comfy Cook said...

The kids have to love this and the adults too.....

figtree said...

I love cakes like this. This would not last long in my house! Figtreeapps

Creative Classroom Core said...

My birthday is on wednesday... this would be great! :)

Juliana said...

Cassie, what a nice cake! Looks so yummie and I think the messier the tastier it is :-)

Talita said...

Wow! So moist and soft! Looks great!

Leslie said...

Yours looks very moist! Mine turned out very...sturdy. I decided to post both together next week. In case you haven't made the all chocolate one, it's REALLY killer.

petite nyonya said...

I would love a piece (or two!:) of this cake & I wouldn't mind the calories at all!

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