I am not baker. The only thing I have successfully baked is bread. But I am fascinated by people's passionate reactions to desert. Desert represents everything that you don't need but you really want...with a cherry on top. Desert is the extra - the thing that makes us happy, it's the crowning glory; desert is the oohs and ahhs after the dinner party, it's Christmas and every other most important event, ....it's cashmere yarn...it's the bliss that comes after satisfaction. So, appropriately, my first baking experiment needed to be desert in its sweetest, most decadent form...the chocolate cake.
Chocolate is swirling around me of late - the Babe is the chocoholic in our house; I have just finished knitting socks in scrumptious Dark Chocolate from Apple Laine, and there has been witty reviews of microwaved chocolate cake (here) and hilarious rebuttals with recipes for the real thing (here). The recipe I chose is from the brilliant Vanille et Cannelle...Aran's photo was so amazing that I challenged myself to recreate it in all its chocolate splendour. I chose the best ingredients I could find - the most sumptuous chocolate, the biggest, glossiest cherries I could find and vanilla bean for scent and additional flavour.
I constantly browse books, magazines, and blogs to learn and to garner inspiration...so it was immensely satisfying to follow Aran's instructions and blend ingredient on top of ingredient to construct this wonderful visual. Happy weekend everyone.
Chocolate is swirling around me of late - the Babe is the chocoholic in our house; I have just finished knitting socks in scrumptious Dark Chocolate from Apple Laine, and there has been witty reviews of microwaved chocolate cake (here) and hilarious rebuttals with recipes for the real thing (here). The recipe I chose is from the brilliant Vanille et Cannelle...Aran's photo was so amazing that I challenged myself to recreate it in all its chocolate splendour. I chose the best ingredients I could find - the most sumptuous chocolate, the biggest, glossiest cherries I could find and vanilla bean for scent and additional flavour.
I constantly browse books, magazines, and blogs to learn and to garner inspiration...so it was immensely satisfying to follow Aran's instructions and blend ingredient on top of ingredient to construct this wonderful visual. Happy weekend everyone.
46 comments:
Wow it looks incredible! You certainly succeeded. And the socks are a nice counterpoint. :)
Oooh, I just happen to be up late because I got called for work, and that is making me hungry! I saw your other pictures on Flickr, which I found almost mesmerizing. Those cherries truly were "glossy." Oh, and nice socks too!
The chocolate socks are so fab. Who doesn't like chocolate?
As always your photos are superb!!!
My husband just walked over to the screen and tried to lick those cakes! Oh they look scrummy....... and with a cherry on top and everything ;)
chocolate heaven!
love the socks and your photos are to die for... exquisite
A happy chocolatey weekend to you.
x
it looks beautiful! great job!
Mmmm, those are beautifully yummy looking, the cakes and socks! Thank you for the link to the recipe!
gorgeous photos! chocolate cake is the best! the socks are really lovely...i wish i had a pair like that.
Mmm, yummy socks!
I baked too, the picture is here...
Mmmm chocolate and cherries together one of my most favourite things, coupled with cosy looking socks, perfect!!
Oh, how DELICIOUS...the cake and the socks...mmm...CHOCOLATE! These photos are so good too...i could just reach in with my spoon... ;o) Life is better with chocolate! Happy weekend, my friends ((HUGS))
can i eat those socks?
i love the title of this post. i always encourage my children to eat dessert first. my husband finds it unsettling, befuddling.
Yummmmm....your socks are a beautiful colour too.
Thanks for the sweet comment!
Your socks look great, and yes...life is so much better with a cherry on top! :)
Yummy chocolate cake and fabulous socks! Beautiful photo's as always. I love your blog, and you have inspired me to finally knit some socks! I shall be blogging about it shortly and you'll get the credit!
Ah chocolate and cherries - a fabulous combination. The socks don't look too shabby either ;O)
Hi,
I answered your questions about FOF-ing on my blog,
Have a great weekend,
Gill
I saw on the weather network, that there is snow in your province?????
That looks amazing - I am really into mini desserts! I will have to wait until January when cherries are in season here but that one is definitely going to be made! I bet they tasted every bit asw
good as they look!!
it looks wonderful! aran is incredible and very inspiring.
What a delicious post.
Excuse me while I run out for some chocolate...
Handknit socks are definately a luxury - and your socks look decadent!
Raina, Your photos always wow me how delicious and I love all the brown goodness! Gotta enjoy those treats!
Maryxo
beautiful!!! how can you not be inspired by aran? she is contagiously inspiring! good work...
Gorgeous photos! I think I need to go bake something now.... :-)
What a really yummy chocolate pudding and chocolate socks too (yummy but less fattening!)
mmm i don't like chocolate, but i want to eat that cake.
well, i commend you! not really a baker eh? then you go and do a recipe from vanille et cannelle. crikey!
lovely job, it's about time someone invented tasternet methinks...
I always start with dessert, its the best bit of the meal! Or is it just because Im greedy? Probably!
OK--you told us about recreating the perfect visual, but I need to know...did the cake taste good? :)
Nice photos...you are definitely better than I am about taking food pictures. I don't know why I find it so difficult!
And nice socks! I love brown socks...I have a beautiful skein of java colored yarn that has been in time out that I can't wait to knit up!
Dessert is heaven, what more can I say...?
Holy Cow Woman! That chocolate cake looks fabulous -- far superior to the microwaved version LOL! Love your socks too!
That looks amazing! And beautifully photographed too. A real work of art!
Raina, I'd say you did very well with the cakes - they look yummy and I'm not particularly a chocolate fan! I love the colour you chose for the socks - it reminds me of Fall and it's stillness.
those socks are lovely...how did it taste? as good as it looks?
the pictures are amazing... the color as well... and i would ike to taste one of those desserts! My compliments, they looks fantastic!!!!
Very elegant and delicious looking!I love chocolate, but if you add almond paste the verb changes to adore! I will have to try this recipe when things calm down around here.........
yum...a black forest delight of photos!
looks wonderful!
Oh my, that is good, really good and mouthwatering visuals too.
yum! I recently went to a restaurant and asked our server how large the dinner portions were because I needed to save room for dessert. He told me about a friend of his who went to "the french laundry" restaurant with him. This particular friend always orders dessert first. She ordered it first there and the server told her that's not how things work... She walked out :)
my kindred spirit -- i do not bake but will do most anything for chocolate. indulgent indeed. lovely shot. those deep reddish-black cherries look delish. and cozy cashmere socks -- a perfect night.
amazing deliciousness!
I am so hoping that you're not offended by this, but dessert is spelled with two s's. You obviously have lovely friends (at least 43 of them) who wouldn't come out and tell you that in a comment, but this is the first time I've visited so I'm thinking we're not friends....yet. Anyway, very nice blog.
i've been away from blog world - so busy in my world - but this has been a gorgeous dose of eye (and thought) candy - such beautiful shots/colours/texture and words!
so happy i dropped in:)
Dessert is spelled with two "s's" for next time.
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