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Friday, March 11, 2011

Chocolate-Raspberry Marble Pound Cake with Chocolate-Raspberry Glaze



Do you ever cook or bake something and when it's time to write your post you are at a loss for words? Well, that's how I feel today. I should talk about this great cake I made, but I would much rather talk about my youngest son and the awesome soccer season we've been having. Or how about my middle son, he just got done with a big science project. I could certainly tell you about the effects aspirin has on plants. Not your thing? Well then how about my oldest? She is a senior in high school and we are in the middle of prom season. Would you like to know about all the emails she sends me daily of the pretty dresses she is finding all over the internet. I could also talk about all the yard work we've been doing since our weather has been gorgeous and we are having a big graduation party coming up in just a few short months. None of those are of interest to you? Well, then can I tell you about my two silly, extremely loving dogs who've been enjoying the warmer days by exploring the yard like they've never seen it before. In fact our little Cocker Spaniel is out there with her nose on the ground and her little "nub" wagging all day long, that is as long as I'm out there with her, since she has a slight case of separation anxiety, but we'll save this subject for another time. All of those things are going on in my life and I could easily talk about all of them for hours, but coming up with an interesting post about this recipe is just not in my cards today. I really don't want to bore any of you, so I guess I better try and turn this around and bring it back to my cake (how did you like this extremely smooth transition?).

OK fine, let's talk about this recipe. This is an extremely tasty cake, which I found in a great little book called "Cake Keeper Cakes" by Lauren Chattman. This cake is a kicked up version of a marble/pound cake. Kicked up with raspberry flavor that is. The chocolate part of this cake comes from melted bittersweet chocolate which is folded into half of the dough. The other half of the dough gets some berry love from raspberry jam. Both are layered alternating into a loaf pan and then swirled with a knife to get the marbled effect. Once baked, the cake gets even more flavor from raspberry jam, which is brushed all over the cake. Last, but not least, once the cake is cool, a chocolate glaze with a little bit of Chambord liqueur adds the finishing touch for this delectable dessert. 

This is a great cake with a wonderful, but yet subtle raspberry flavor. The whole family (minus my chocolate hating husband) really enjoyed this. In fact, my youngest was terribly upset when he got home from school and realized his brother and sister had gotten to the last couple of pieces before him. Yeah, it is that good and apparently it makes a 9 year old very upset when gone. I'll be making this one again and this time a little someone already put "dibs" on the last piece.


Chocolate-Raspberry Marble Pound Cake with Chocolate-Raspberry Glaze
 ~makes 1 cake~


Ingredients:

For the cake:
3 ounces bittersweet chocolate, finely chopped
4 large eggs, at room temperature lightly beaten
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups cake flour
3/4 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
1 1/4 cups sugar
1/4 cup raspberry jam

For the glaze:
1/4 cup raspberry jam
6 tablespoons heavy cream
2 tablespoons light corn syrup
4 ounces bittersweet chocolate
1 tablespoons raspberry liqueur (Chambord)

Preparation:

For the cake: Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F. Grease a 9-inch by 5-inch loaf pan and dust with sugar.

Put 1 inch of water in the bottom of a double boiler or a small saucepan and bring to a bare simmer. Place the chocolate in the top of the double boiler or in a stainless steel bowl big enough to rest on top of the saucepan, and set the bowl on top of the simmering water, making sure that the water doesn't touch the bottom of the bowl. Heat, whisking occasionally, until the chocolate is completely melted, 5 to 7 minutes. Set aside to cool.

Combine the eggs and vanilla in a glass measuring cup and lightly beat. Combine the flour, baking powder, and salt in a medium mixing bowl.

Combine the butter and sugar in a large mixing bowl and cream with an electric mixer on medium-high speed until fluffy, about 3 minutes, scraping down the sides of the bowl once or twice as necessary.

With the mixer on medium-low speed, pour the egg mixture into the bowl in a slow stream, stopping the mixer once or twice to scrape down the bowl.

Turn the mixer on low speed an d add the flour mixture, 1/2 cup at a time, scraping down the sides of the bowl after each addition. After the last addition, mix for 30 seconds on medium speed.

Scrape half the batter into a medium mixing bowl and whisk in the raspberry jam. Whisk the melted chocolate into the batter remaining in the mixer.

Scrape 1/2 the raspberry batter into the prepared loaf pan and smooth the top, then add 1/2 of the chocolate batter. Repeat the layers with the remaining batters. Run a butter knife blade through the batter to create marbling. Do not overmix.

Bake the pound cake until it is golden and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, about 1 hour and 15 minutes. Let the cake cool in the pan for about 10 minutes, invert it onto a wire rack, and then turn it right side up on a rack to cool completely.

For the glaze: Heat 1/4 cup raspberry jam until loose, and use a pastry brush to brush the warm jam all over the top and sides of the cake. Combine the heavy cream, corn syrup, and chocolate in a samll pot and heat over medium, whisking until smooth. Stir in the raspberry liqueur. Let stand until thickened, about 30 minutes. Spoon the glaze over the cake, smoothing it over the top and sides with a small metal spatula to cover. Let stand until the glaze firms up, about 1 hour. Slice and serve.

Adapted from: Cake Keeper Cakes

34 comments:

  1. Susi, this is a perfect marble chocolate cake with rich frosting! I like the idea of using raspberry jam in the frosting. Very special.

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  2. This cake looks wonderful. I can't believe your cake hates chocolate! That is almost worse than my husband hating peanut butter.

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  3. Okay, THIS looks amazing. I like raspberry probably more than any other fruit flavor. I adore raspberry. I would marry raspberry if I could. I can't wait to make this cake! I might actually try to find a way to jam even more raspberry into it, like slicing it into 2 layers and putting raspberry jam between them.

    That being said, I would actually be very interested in knowing how aspirin effects plants. And when your daughter finally picks out her perfect prom dress, you should totally post a picture of it. I love pretty dresses!

    This green theme is very nice, by the way. Very springy and fun.

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  4. That cake sounds great and is very pretty. I love the shiny glaze.

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  5. Oh wow that looks so amazing! Such great flavors

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  6. This looks delicious! And an added kick of chocolate for the glaze- awesome!

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  7. Oh. My. Word. This is something I need to make immediately! I feel a chocolate hangover coming on!

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  8. The chocolate with chocolate title in the recipe had me. This looks great. I don't mind if you don't talk about cake. Prom is a fun topic! (My last post I wanted to talk about how my ex boyfriend is a jerk, but I refrained. So, I know what you're going through by having other things you'd rather type about. lol)

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  9. The glaze...I think I have unnatural love for. :) Beautiful cake!

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  10. What a beautiful marbled cake. I especially like the raspberry jam in the cake and the glaze. Oh, did I mention the liqueur in the glaze, too. I just love it all.

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  11. Oh, it looks delicious. I love the combination of chocolate and raspberry together. Although, honestly, what doesn't go well with chocolate? :-p This would be great with coffee at the end of a meal or even for breakfast. Looks so, so good!

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  12. wonderful cake, loved the combo used and the glaze is just sumptuous !

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  13. This sounds delicious! Chocolate and raspberries is one of my favorite flavor pairings. And it's fruit so it's healthy :-)

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  14. Looks gorgeous. Sounds like you have a busy family! So glad you still have time to share with us.

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  15. Susi, this is a beautiful raspberry marble cake. Seriously, I love it.

    You have a busy family life. Our son plays soccer too. :-)

    Yes. There has been many times when I am ready to post and I am at loss for words. You are not alone.

    Have a great weekend. Thank you for sharing a piece of your life with us.

    Velva

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  16. Smile. I love hearing about this cake...and about all the details of your daily life. Prom season...oh the memories! Thank you for sharing your words, your photos, and your recipes. I love it all :-)

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  17. It does look like a gorgeous, tasty cake. But I also like hearing about your kids and your dogs and such. Either way, it's a great post by me!

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  18. Oh wow, wow..Susi this is just so beautiful! Love the glaze on top! Nicely done, I love love this post!!

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  19. Loved this post, Susi. I can relate completely to having a lot to talk about when it comes to family, etc., but sometimes just not knowing what the heck to say in a new post! I think you handled it most charmingly. :) And, can you save me a piece of the next loaf of this cake, too? Me and your nine-year old both have dibs, okay? ;)

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  20. Stunning pound cake. Raspberry and chocolate blend beautifully but I don't see many using them together.
    Love your blog and the recipes!!

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  21. Yum, yum, yum...there are few combos better than choc-raspberry in my mind!! This is lovely...really lovely...

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  22. Beautiful cake! And that glaze calls to me! I think I would eat it by the spoonful! ♥- Katrina

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  23. interesting combination. Want more cake for your 9yo ? I've made that much chocolate mud cake tonight that even Oliver might need to share it... in fact - I think they're will be enough to feed all the neighbours too !

    I like the raspberry idea... :-)

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  24. I'm not a chocolate fan but I love when it's matched with raspberry jam. Nice swirl! Perfect breakfast cake for my home :)

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  25. Gorgeous cake, Susi! And I enjoyed hearing about your children :)

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  26. Lovely cake! (And a lovely family as well.) :)

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  27. I normally don't go for fruit-and-chocolate combos, but this one looks awesome! Love the chambord!

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  28. I truly enjoyed your post, and love this gorgeous cake. I would make it in an "angel food cake pan" for a round look "effect"
    Love the recipe...and thanks for sharing!

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  29. Oh, Susi... speaking of a loss for words... I'm speechless. Raspberry and chocolate are the most impeccable match. Turn it into a pound cake and well, well... I just don't have the words to describe my enchantment!
    As for the rest of the stories, feel free to expand at any time!! Congrats to your son and his soccer season, I miss my son playing. Just what are the affects of asprin on plants? Your not going to make me do the experiment to find out, are you?? And prom season?? Oh my! I have not ventured into that realm yet. My son is just a Freshman. And as for separation anxiety and pups, I get that one!

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  30. Susi - Yes, sometimes I can't find the words when I set out to write a post. I usually end up blathering on about whatever comes to mind. LOL! I love the chocolate/raspberry combination and would love to have tried a slice of this cake. I'd actually love to make this recipe myself but fear that I would end up eating the entire thing myself:)

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  31. That cake looks so amazingly good!

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  32. Hahaha! I love the post! Good luck with prom season! SO nice to hear things are going well with you and your family!

    I love love love this cake! Everything about it sounds amazing. Must must try this. This cake looks so good you've got me stuttering hehe. Have a lovely day, Susi!

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    ReplyDelete
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