REC: Chocolate Eggnog Cake
Hi Maria,
This is a yummy cake, and I have decorated it with holly leaves (paint eggwhites on the edges, then dip in sugar for that freshly snowed look) and sugared grapes and other fruit (visions of sugarplums!), and it travels really well. I prefer using the ganache, but included the buttercream frosting as well.
And, you get to drink eggnog while it's baking! LOL
Chocolate Eggnog Cake
Chocolate Cake Mix Doctor, December 2001
Eggnog is one of the pleasures of the holiday season, and it is the key ingredient in this chocolate cake, perfect for parties.
This recipe serves 20.
Ingredients for Cake: ·
Vegetable oil spray for misting the pan ·
Flour for dusting the pan ·
2 ounces semisweet chocolate ·
1 package (18.25 ounces) plain German chocolate cake mix ·
1 cup eggnog ·
1/3 cup brandy or water ·
1/4 cup vegetable oil ·
3 large eggs ·
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract ·
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
Directions for Cake:
1. Place a rack in the center of the oven and preheat the oven to 350 F. Lightly mist a 13- by 9-inch pan with vegetable oil spray, then dust with flour. Shake out the excess flour. Set the pan aside.
2. Carefully rub the chocolate along the largest holes of a cheese grater to make 1 tablespoon grated chocolate. Set it aside. Break the remaining chocolate into 5 or 6 pieces and place them in a small glass bowl. Microwave for 1 minute at high power. Stir to melt any remaining lumps.
3. Place the cake mix, eggnog, brandy, oil, eggs, vanilla, nutmeg, and melted chocolate in a large mixing bowl. Blend with an electric mixer on low speed for 30 seconds. Stop the machine and scrape down the sides of the bowl with a rubber spatula. Increase the mixer speed to medium and beat 2 minutes more, scraping the sides down again if needed. The batter should look well combined. Pour the batter into the prepared pan, smoothing it out with the rubber spatula. Place the pan in the oven.
4. Bake the cake until it springs back when lightly pressed with your finger 38 to 42 minutes. Remove the pan from the oven and place it on a wire rack to cool for 10 minutes. Run a sharp knife around the edge of the cake, and invert it onto a serving platter to cool completely, 20 minutes.
5. Meanwhile, prepare the frosting
Ingredients for Eggnog Buttercream Frosting ·
8 Tbsp. (or one stick) of butter, at room temperature ·
3 1/2 to 4 cups confectioners sugar, sifted ·
3 to 4 tablespoons eggnog ·
2 teaspoons brandy or pure vanilla extract ·
1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg, for garnish (optional)
Directions for Frosting:
1. Place the butter and 1 cup of the confectioners' sugar in a large mixing bowl. Blend with an electric mixer on low speed for 30 seconds to incorporate. Stop the machine and add the remaining confectioners' sugar, eggnog and brandy. Increase the speed to medium and beat until light and fluffy, 1 minute. Add more confectioners' sugar if the frosting is too runny to spread. Add a touch more eggnog if it is too stiff.
2. Spread the frosting over the top and sides of the cake, using smooth clean strokes. Sprinkle the top lightly reserved grated chocolate, and with a little nutmeg if desired. Slice and serve.
*Store this cake, covered with aluminum foil or plastic wrap, at room temperature for 3 days or in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. Or freeze it, wrapped in foil, for up to 6 months. Thaw the cake overnight in the refrigerator before serving.
· Chocolate Ganache Icing
Ingredients:
· 8 ounces semisweet chocolate, chopped
· 1/2 cup heavy cream
Ingredients:
1. In a metal bowl set over a pot of simmering water, melt the chocolate with the cream, stirring constantly until smooth.
2. Don't let the mixture boil. Remove from the heat. Use immediately or store, refrigerated, in an airtight container for up to 24 hours. Reheat in the top of a double boiler.
