Friday, July 31, 2009

Chocolate Dessert #28

Today, it is monsooning. Look at my rain gauge.
It started around 8 this morning, and this gauge was empty. At one point, I had 4" of standing water in the front yard. Just for reference, this rain gauge holds 6" of water. Needless to say, Thor is not very happy going out to relieve himself today.

Last night, we had Chocolate Dessert #28, chocolate frosted pound cake. Really, the recipe is only for the chocolate frosting, since they tell you to use a store bought pound cake. I used my own recipe for Sour Cream Pound Cake, but since it was only 65 degrees las
t night, I could bake. For those of you in the Pacific Northwest, head on over to the supermarket, snag a frozen Sara Lee pound cake, and stand in front of the open freezer door for a while. Go ahead, you can tell them I sent you to use their electricity instead of your own. The directions call for the pound cake to be split horizontally in 4 layers, and the frosting spread between them, so it's a pretty little layer cake when served, but, of course, I don't follow directions too well. Besides that, I don't like chocolate frosting (and neither does my dearly beloved), but I love pound cake. So I needed my slice of cake plain, and he needed his with strawberries and cream on top. In any event, while mine was not as picturesque as perhaps the original idea would have been, no one left any on their plates; that must tell you something!

CHOCOLATE FROSTED POUND CAKE

3/4 cup sugar
3 tsp cornstarch
2 ounces unsweetened chocolate
1 cup boiling water
3 tbsp butter
1-1/2 tsp vanilla extract


Stir together the sugar and cornstarch in a microwavable 2 cup measuring cup. Add the boiling water and stir to combine. Coarsely chop the chocolate, and add it with the butter to the cup. Microwave until thickened and smooth, 3 to 5 minutes, stirring every 30 to 45 seconds. Stir in the vanilla extract and let the frosting cool to room temperature. Slice the pound cake loaf 3 times horizontally, so it forms 4 layers, frost between each layer and reassemble, and frost the top of the cake, or just do what I did, and frost each individual slice. T
op with whipped cream and serve to the happy masses.
As I said, it isn't as pretty my was as the original idea might have been, but there was no griping about the flavor. And this is a very fast and easy dessert, suitable for company or "just because" you feel like it!

Edited to add: My daughter just got home from her summer course, which she's taking 60 miles north of here. she spent 2 hours driving the last 15 miles, because there was so much traffic on the interstate due to local road flooding. I'm really glad we live on top of the hill.

17 comments:

noble pig said...

My goodness you are getting so much rain! Love the pound cake, I did buy a frozen one out of desperation the other day....this sounds better!

Lakeland Jo said...

I thought we were having a lot of rain. Cakes looks fab

Christo Gonzales said...

dessert looks great - weather does not! Monsoons in NYC are no fun at all!

Paula said...

I'm officially nominating you for the blogger brilliant award for your instructions to soak up the cool air at a grocer's freezer case! Brilliant! I just came in from dropping off the first tuition payment at school (so it begins - eye roll) and it's 100 degrees. Again. That said, having 4" of standing water in the yard is not good either. Seems like we are both stuck inside. This has been the year without summer!

buffalodick said...

We've had more than normal rainfall in W.Michigan this summer- but nothing like that!

Lyndas recipe box said...

This dessert looks delish- can't go wrong with chocolate!
The weather is so crazy this summer...glad you live on a hill!

Pam said...

We sure could use some of your rain over here...it's still so hot and dry.

The frosting looks PERFECT...my frosting loving son would absolutely love this!

Unknown said...

I'm glad your daughter made it home safe. Hope the rain gives you a rest sometime soon. My guys hate the water too. Poor Thor.

Your dessert looks fabulous - as it always does. I think your blog might be the reason I've gained 10# - no, I'm not baking along with you. I'm just drooling over your desserts. g

Ann Made Studio said...

all that rain.....Poor Thor.....
I try and only stay on your blog a few seconds because I can just feel myself gainnninngg weight ;)
just kidding....Your dessert looks wonderful as always....

pam said...

The weather is so bizarre this year! Your cake looks yummy!

SissySees said...

We're all having strange weather this summer, it seems. Now, back to decluttering, before the Knight loses interest.

The Blonde Duck said...

Did you seriously stand in front of the freezer? That's funny!

The Blonde Duck said...

And whenever we invade you, I shall cook for you!

tavolini said...

Oh wow--I can not believe how much rain you guys are getting!!

That poundcake looks excellent! Hopefully the rain will ease a little :)

~~louise~~ said...

The only way for my mind to make it through all this rain is to tell myself perhaps we will get less snow in the winter. It works sometimes. Think of that total rainfall of yours as snow. UG

Glad your daughter made it home safely. That desirable "concoction" of yours looks sinful. Any left???

Anonymous said...

Yummy! That dessert would only last seconds in this house :>) Thanks for the recipe. Please give Thor a big hug from Charli and Me ♥

grace said...

that's a freakin' lot of rain! i hope things are dried out by now! and wowza, that frosting is ridiculously wonderful. ridiculous.