Monday, November 30, 2009

Triple Chocolate Cake with Chocolate Peppermint Filling - When You Need to Bake and an Award

My goodness - this may be the longest blog title in my history - and I am wordy. When my daughter starting dating her boyfriend, they baked. Well, sort of. Box mixes and pre-made cookie dough lined the kitchen cabinets a few nights a week. That was when they were seniors in high school. That was then.

This is now. What a difference three years makes.



Why they needed to bake a complex holiday chocolate cake when the fridge was filled with turkey, yams, mashed potatoes, stuffing, chocolate pecan pie, pumpkin pie, apple tart, pumpkin bread, etc. remains to be seen. But the need to bake comes from a powerful zen-like place and Saturday was designated "Bake a splashy chocolate cake day."
They assigned each other duties: You make the ganache, I bake the layers, you mix the filling, I'll crush the chocolate squares.


The Christmas CD's went on in the kitchen and they baked and sifted and stirred and chopped and voila! A Triple Chocolate Cake with Chocolate Peppermint Filling straight from the pages of Bon Appetit.

The cake was split in half and each family got to sample the cake. Gooey, creamy, minty, lusciously velvety smooth, it is an offering of love.


In truth, we had a weekend of great poignancy. The very act of stirring and sifting and filling your head with the next step of a recipe is a wondrous thing. And in the end, just by the mere act of following directions, you can create sweetness. And that's what they did. Since they didn't change a thing, you can go to Bon Appetit and find the recipe here: Triple Chocolate Cake with Chocolate Peppermint Filling. It is a grand addition to your holiday table.
Meanwhile, an Apple and Pear Salad gets all dressed up for the holidays here.


I will confess to being remiss about posting awards. They are appreciated and I want to thank My Little Space for gentle reminders and Claudia at Pegasus Legend for thinking of me. It belongs on all of your blogs. Please, post it - some sparkly gold for the holidays is good for the heart.

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35 comments:

  1. Wanda.....November 30, 2009 at 2:13 PM

    Ahhh togetherness and sharing...even in the kitchen! Very sweet post Claudia, not only the cake but them in the kitchen together and sharing the steps of baking it and then sharing with each one's family...Sweet!

    P.S. I will post the award Claudia...because you mentioned we were remiss in taking a previous one you offered. I once mentioned at my blog that I like and accept awards when given, but hate to "pick and choose" to pass them on. It's a hard thing to do.
    Thank you!

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  2. Ciao Chow LindaNovember 30, 2009 at 5:38 PM

    Your daughter and her boyfriend are really a special pair. I love how they created that beautiful cake together and shared it with both families.

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  3. Heather S-GNovember 30, 2009 at 6:29 PM

    They are adorable...and the cake looks absolutely divine! This may have to grace our Christmas holiday table. That really is what it's all about, isn't it!? :D

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  4. Mary BergfeldNovember 30, 2009 at 7:08 PM

    I think that's wonderful. I especially like the cake was divided between family. It sounds like a great way to spend a Sunday.

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  5. AnonymousNovember 30, 2009 at 8:15 PM

    How special that your daughter and her boyfriend bake together, and the cake is just gorgeous!

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  6. chow and chatterNovember 30, 2009 at 8:44 PM

    oh wow what a cake you must be so proud of them love it now following sorry i thought i was lol

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  7. VelvaNovember 30, 2009 at 10:23 PM

    They make a good team. The cake they prepared together is proof of that!

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  8. theUngourmetNovember 30, 2009 at 11:04 PM

    They are a darling couple. Their cake looks moist, chocolaty and fabulous! Nice!

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  9. Katy ~December 1, 2009 at 4:03 AM

    The couple that stirs together stays together.

    The cake looks and sounds divine. Chocolate and peppermint, a perfect pairing, like that beautiful young couple!

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  10. Donna-FFWDecember 1, 2009 at 5:35 AM

    They are so cute together.. and so happy!!!

    What a gorgeous cake, it sounds fantastic! Love the peppermint/chocolate combo!

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  11. Foodie with Little Thyme!December 1, 2009 at 8:07 AM

    How wonderful of you to open your kitchen and your heart to allow them a place to grow and create! Such a special cake! Love this post!

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  12. Barbara GFDecember 1, 2009 at 10:53 AM

    What a lovely post, Claudia. There is something special about stirring together that brings a family closer. And what a beautiful result - you are certainly blessed.

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  13. La Bella CooksDecember 1, 2009 at 11:33 AM

    I think it is great they did the cake together! I saw this on the cover of BA and am dying to make one as well but haven't found the energy to make the meringue filling and all! Kudos to them for giving this a go...it looks amazing.

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  14. Katherine Roberts AucoinDecember 1, 2009 at 12:54 PM

    How fun and cute that they enjoy baking together...sounds like they are perfect for each other...very cute couple. The cake looks too decadent for words!

    Congrats on your award Claudia!

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  15. Pat @ Mille Fiori FavoritiDecember 1, 2009 at 1:54 PM

    Hi Caludi

    I don't know why I didn't see a comment button yesterday...it drove me crazy and I actually posted my comment to you on my blog for a fw seconds ( I deleted it) because I pushed the wrong icon...lol...blogspot is a little wacky at times!

    This cake looks so rich and moist! I really wish I could taste it! Great job! Your daughter is beautiful!

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  16. Angie's RecipesDecember 1, 2009 at 2:12 PM

    Talk about the teamwork! The chocolate cake looks really tempting! Congratulations on your award!

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  17. janetDecember 1, 2009 at 7:11 PM

    They are an adorable couple, and it's very sweet that they bake together.
    There's something about creating in the kitchen that just brings people closer.
    Beautiful daughter and beautiful cake!

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  18. CheapAppetiteDecember 1, 2009 at 7:20 PM

    What a lovely and chocolatey cake! So many layers of chocolate goodness.

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  19. Mary AnnDecember 2, 2009 at 2:29 PM

    Oh . . I love chocolate and mint! What a great cake. My mouth is watering!

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  20. joe@italyvilleDecember 2, 2009 at 3:01 PM

    looks yummy Claudia... I can't believe it's December already! the warm months seem to go by faster than the cold ones!

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  21. PattyDecember 2, 2009 at 3:21 PM

    Wow! Send a piece of chocolate cake this way! I love chocolate and this cake looks like something that needs to be devoured by me! Fantastic! And having fun while making it? Even better.

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  22. ReeniDecember 2, 2009 at 4:21 PM

    Aww. How sweet. And how scrumptious! It looks incredibly delicious! Such a treat.

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  23. OysterCultureDecember 2, 2009 at 4:56 PM

    What a great heartfelt read. Am I a bad person to confess that my eyes kept straying to that fantasy of chocolate and peppermint that was in my view.

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  24. angela@spinachtigerDecember 2, 2009 at 8:28 PM

    That's a cute story, beautiful cake, and thanks for stopping by. I look forward to your post for cooking red. Don't forget to send me pic and link.
    Thanks..

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  25. VrindaDecember 3, 2009 at 8:49 AM

    So rich and chocolatey...so delicious cake...

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  26. unconfidentialcookDecember 3, 2009 at 10:19 AM

    Triple chocolate ALWAYS works for me! Boy, are they cute!

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  27. Table TalkDecember 3, 2009 at 10:22 AM

    So nice your daughter and boyfriend cook together! They will have years of happiness together.
    This cake sounds perfect for the holidays!

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  28. Whats Cookin Italian Style CuisineDecember 3, 2009 at 12:32 PM

    What a wonderful looking family....and this cake is perfect for the holidays especially for sharing with friends and family....its presentation is just beautiful.....a very nice post with a very beautiful family thanks

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  29. Chats the Comfy CookDecember 3, 2009 at 9:21 PM

    You must be so proud and happy with those two. How wonderful for them to work so well together and to be together for three years.

    That cake is a work of art. I am off to get the recipe. I like the kids better than the cake, though, even if the cake is the best.

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  30. KimDecember 4, 2009 at 11:54 PM

    Your daughter and her boyfriend are adorable! They definitely work together well because that cake looks amazing!! So nice to know that they are enjoying each other's company and working together. You must be very happy with them both:D

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  31. pigpigscornerDecember 5, 2009 at 6:34 AM

    awww they are so sweet. The cake looks amazing, very festive.

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  32. Proud Italian CookDecember 6, 2009 at 9:07 PM

    Claudia, Your daughter is a doll and so is her boyfriend, sounds like you all had a wonderful day together. I love how they made this gorgeous cake together. Total foodies. I wonder who she takes after?
    Hugs to you!

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  33. UnknownDecember 9, 2009 at 9:34 AM

    they are adorable....guess she takes after her mom!

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  34. My Little SpaceDecember 10, 2009 at 7:49 AM

    You must be very proud of your daughter & her boyfriend. Not many dating couples would do this kind of activity! I think the cake looked dann good! I would love to have a slice too... May I? haha...

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  35. AnonymousJanuary 18, 2010 at 9:12 AM

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    ReplyDelete

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