Day 8 - Mmmmmmm...Chocolate!

    

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     Today I wanted some chocolate and here's something to think about for Valentine's Day, too since it's right around the corner.

Just how many chocolate-covered hearts do we shove down our pie-holes each Valentine's Day? According to Nielsen, Americans will purchase around 58 million pounds of chocolate during the days leading up to the 14th (a small fraction of the reported 3 billion pounds per year), and we shell out somewhere around $345 million to satisfy our Valentine's sweet tooth.

-from Holidash, the Most Wonderful Blog of the Year

I was going to make some chocolate croissants, but didn't realize the dough needs to be refrigerated for at least 8 hours.  So, another day.  Instead I made a Mocha Brownie Cake from Baking with Julia written by Dorie Greenspan, publisher William Morrow and Co., Inc., ISBN: 0-688-14657-0, pg. 282.  One publisher hasn't been so kind which is bothersome to me because I use recipes from those cookbooks and their magazine that I receive all the time.  They would only stand to profit more if I were to recommend you go to their website, and purchase their magazine subscription, cookbooks or any cooking supplies.  Not mentioning any names, but "it's a good thing" don't you think, if you were to go to their(ahem)her website? ☺


Mocha Brownie Cake

*I have voluntarily deleted this recipe because I copied it before I had permission to do so from the publisher.  I'll will repost if I do receive the go-ahead.  Until then, I've given the book information, an image and the link from the Amazon website.*

     Cooling in the pan.

     The ganache(YES, Ganache! I love that word, it sounds so decadent!) on top of the first layer.

     The finished product!

 

     The spring-form pan I used was 10 inches hence part of the reason for the unevenly frosted cake.  The other reason, I just need more practice.  My family really liked it.  It was good as I was testing it throughout, but then later when I had it all assembled I thought it tasted a tiny bit dry, but was definitely still edible.  It was extremely rich, so you're definitely going to need a big glass of milk!

     Happy baking!