Tuesday, October 21, 2014

Happy Deepavali!

Deepavali wishes to my dear readers! May the festival of light bring you joy and prosperity.

I made milk pedas, thenkuzhal and ribbon pakodas for this years celebration. (Recipes to be posted soon). Enjoy your day and the yummy sweets and snacks! 


Monday, October 13, 2014

Chocolate Ganache Cake

This was the cake I baked for my hubby's birthday last week. He is a huge chocolate fan. So a cake smeared with chocolate ganache sounded like a good idea! 


I baked 3 plain vanilla cakes with a 6" pan. And layered it using chocolate ganache as filling and frosting. Making the chocolate ganache is as easy as eating it :) and it also holds well in the humidity.



Chocolate Ganache Recipe:
Directions :
Thickened Cream - 1 Cup
Baking chocolate/semisweet chocolate chips - 2 Cups
Unsalted Butter - 1 Tablespoon(Optional)
Vanilla Extract - 1/2 Tablespoon

Method:
  • Place the chocolate in a heat-proof bowl. If using chocolate bar, chop into small pieces.
  • Heat the cream on stove until boiling.
  • Pour the hot cream over the chocolate and mix well. 
  • Make sure all the chocolate has melted without any lumps.
  • Add the softened butter and vanilla to the chocolate and  mix well. (If any lumps prevail, heat it for a few more seconds in the microwave, and mix well.)
  • Cool the ganache in the fridge for a couple of hours.
  • Whisk the thickened gaanche with a electric beater before use. 

Note:
  • The ratio of the cream can be increased to make a thinner ganache that can be poured over your cake to form a glossy finish.
  • I used Wilton 2M icing nozzle for the rosettes on the top of the cake, and used the back of a palette knife to make the stripes along the sides of the cake.