Just a quick post to share these great photos Matt took from Teddy's birthday party this past weekend. Teddy wanted a chocolate cake. I prefer a vanilla birthday cake, so I wasn't too excited. I'd already decided I was going to make carnitas for the parents at the party (and the kids if they wanted, but uhm, they didn't) and was using the recipe from Salt, Fat, Acid, Heat. While flipping through the book, I saw Nosrat's recipe titled "Lori's Chocolate Midnight Cake." It was the way Nosrat described it that sold it to me: like one of those 90s-style, super moist, cake-mix cakes that she grew up on. I, too, grew up on those cakes and I gotta say, this chocolate cake is so so so nostalgic but also so so so good. I really feel like I found my chocolate cake recipe for LIFE. I paired it with a standard cream-cheese frosting, though one I added a nice amount of orange zest to, and the combination was truly A+.
I wish I had more time to comment/write about other things, but right now my free time is going into my next book. I'm currently really close to finishing a draft and need to keep my head down and plow forward. In the mean time, go ahead and take your lizard for a ride (this is a reference to something that happens in above video).
Cool the cakes completely on a wire rack before unmolding them from the pan and peeling off the parchment paper. To serve, place one layer down on a cake plate. Spread 1 cup frosting of your choice (Whipped cream with a bit of sugar and vanilla extract is Nosrat's recommendation.) in the center of the cake and gently place the second layer atop it. Spread the remaining frosting or whipped cream on top.
The cake is so good. I will probably eat the remaining 1/2 of it over a 3 day span.
I love these yearly birthday videos from Matt! What a great post. Now I want cake, pork, and two babies! (Not all at once, of course.) Thanks for sharing. Can not WAIT for your new book!
After all these years and all those instagrams, I feel like I know your family!! Can't wait for the new book!
Beautiful food. We want some. Super fun video.
What a lovely window into your current lives! Keep on writing and multitasking, as I am sure that focusing on the book still includes about 50 other tasks as well! Best wishes!
The best chocolate cake I've ever had/"made" was cake mix combined with pudding mix (but SO GOOD, wahhh). I like the sound of this more dignified version.
These videos are so nice now but will be SUCH TREASURES years from now. Inspired to take more video.
My dear late Mom always baked us THE QUICK COCOA CAKE from the Settlement cookbook. For my family it’s THE only chocolate cake and this recipe has now been passed down to a third generation. I know you enjoy books, The Settlement Cookbook is a classic - maybe you can find a copy to look thru. I think you may enjoy it.
Thanks for the sweet vid of those fun guys. Will definitely try that cake with part regular cocoa, part super black cocoa that I'm obsessed with right now, for depth. Chocolate cake 4-eva, 4 me at least.
@Jodi Drennan it's a "braiser" by Le Creuset. It was a pricey gift from my dad who fittingly complained of the price. BUT, it's such a hard-worker. I use it all the time when I need a nonstick skillet. And then obviously, it's oven-safe too.
I love your children so much. Is that creepy? LOVE THEM!