Chocolate with Raspberry

Chocolate with Raspberry

I read the cookbook again. Surely they must be joking. But this is for a birthday, so it has to be special.

The ingredients I need have to for a Chocolate Raspberry Cake:

1. 2 c sugar
2.1 3/4 c flour
3. 3/4 c cocoa
4. 2 teaspoon baking soda
5. 1 teaspoon baking powder
6. 1 teaspoon salt
7. 2 eggs
8. 1 cup buttermilk
9. 1 cup coffee - cooled
10. 1/2 cup vegetable oil
11. 2 teaspoon vanilla
12. 2 cups raspberries
13. 4 tablespoons lemon juice
14. 2 cups butter
15. 5-6 cups powdered sugar
16. 1 teaspoon almond extract
17. 1-2 tablespoons milk
18. 1/2 cup heavy cream
19. 1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

Lucky for me I usually have a well-stocked pantry. But heavy cream and buttermilk? And fresh raspberries in the winter? For heaven’s sake, now I have to visit the grocery store. Oh, and while I’m there I may as well pick up a few other things.

Almost $100.00 later, I’m finally back home. Would someone please tell me why $100.00 worth of groceries can now fit into three shopping bags? But I again remind myself that this is a special occasion. A birthday party for my sister.

I start assembling the cake. You proceed as with all homemade cakes. Mix the dry ingredients, add the wet ingredients, all but those for the frosting. Bake for 30 minutes at 350 degrees. Let the two layers cool for a time. The recipe says to put it in the refrigerator.

While the cake layers cool, you make the frosting. This recipe is buttercream. Nothing more than butter and sugar and almond extract, lemon juice, some milk, with raspberries thrown in. Done. But wait. Chocolate ganache goes on top. Hmm. I forgot about that. Another step. This is where you have to melt the chocolate chips, let them cool, and then stir in the cream that has been warmed until all is smooth.

It’s a good thing the party isn’t till later tonight. My cake project is eating up a lot of time. But once I put this all together, layer, then raspberry frosting, then layer the chocolate ganache over the top. It looks pretty spectacular. Almost like a candy bar.

The cake is on a pretty pink plate, with candles on top. I place it in the refrigerator and get ready for the party to begin.

Soon our house is full of guests. Joanne, my sister, arrives late. Just in time to see the cake melting all over the table.

“You’re late. I baked you a cake.” I pushed the cake toward her.

“I love you too, Mary.” She air-kissed me.

“It’s melting. Let’s get this over with.” I got the cake server and candles.

“How many candles did you put on there? Ninety?” She started taking candles off.

“Not enough. I could only find forty in the store.” I lit candles.

“You’re evil.” Mary walked away to talk to friends.

Now I was mad. All the time I spent. The cake was ruined. My sister didn’t seem to care that I spent all that money and time just to please her.

“Okay everyone, time to sing! The cake is starting to go south. Let’s hurry.”

We all sang ‘Happy Birthday’ to the birthday girl. She acted happy. I served cake.

“Sorry, I’m gluten-free now. And vegan. I can’t eat that,” Joanne exclaimed to me.

“Oh yes, you can. Enjoy.” I smashed a piece of cake all over her face and walked away.

W/C 582