Tuesday, June 22, 2010

TWD: Dressy Chocolate Loafcake

Saturday night I attended a solstice/birthday/Goddess party. It's an annual event held by a friend whose birthday happens around the summer solstice. It's for women only, women of all ages, from 7 to 90+.

Everyone brings some kind of food, and there are plenty of beverages of all kinds.

When the sun goes down, we build a big bonfire, then we toss in wreaths and garlands made from herbs, grasses, pine branches, or whatever is handy. Out with the old. It goes up in smoke.


Ready for the new year.


This year we went around the circle, saying our names and telling everyone what we had accomplished lately. That's always the interesting part. For some, just getting out of bed in the morning is an accomplishment; for others, it's a new job or a new relationship or the end of an existing relationship. We women are a hardy bunch, to be sure. I'm already looking forward to next summer.


In honor of the party and the hostess, I baked and shared this week's Tuesdays with Dorie special -- Dressy Chocolate Loafcake, selected by Amy of
Amy Ruth Bakes. I only got a half a piece from the first slice, as it disappeared very quickly.


I didn't encounter any problems with preparation or baking. Well, one slight issue, perhaps. The cocoa was a bit obstinate. Even though it was mixed with the flour, it chose to fly all over the room when mixing so that I finally resorted to hand mixing. Little pockets of cocoa kept appearing, so that I greatly feared I was overmixing the batter. However, I finally won the battle, and the cake didn't seem the worse for wear, turning out just fine.

The next time I make it, I will incorporate the cocoa with the butter and sugar, before I add the flour.


Here's the montage.

Cooling cake, right-side up, in pan.



Cooling cake, upside down, out of pan.





First layer of cherry jam. Cake has been split into thirds.




Final assembly and luscious semisweet chocolate/sour cream frosting.




Inside view, after the first slice. The slices tended to slide apart at the cherry seams, so it was a bit tricky to plate.





This was the only piece I got, and I shared it with my mother.




It definitely was perfect for the party, a hit all the way around.



Some of the other TWD bakers had more adventures with this cake, so be sure and check out their comments.

13 comments:

Kayte said...

The cake looks very festive and pretty! I think next time I should put that much fruit in mine also. Fun to hear about the summer party...and what did you share around the campfire for your accomplishments, etc.? I would love to hear all those parts!

Chats the Comfy Cook said...

I used cherry jam too but yours has all th ose cherries which look delicious. I should not be so skimpy with the jam. Glad you were generous because it looks so much more tasty.

Peggy said...

That sounds like such a fun party! I've never heard of one like that. Your cake looks perfect. Sorry you only got one piece!

Tia said...

beautiful shine!
I liked it so much I made 2 - a Bundt and a Loaf

TeaLady said...

I bet those pieces of cherry made the filling extra tasty. Next time I will find some strawberry jam with more bulk. It was a good cake, wasn't it.

Love the Women's celebration. How cool!!

Mary said...

Your solstice party sounds great! I used to go to an outdoor winter solstice party when I lived in Toronto, but it was cold! Much more sensible to do it in June! Your frosting is so smooth and shiny--perfect! I used cherry jam too.
:)

Paula said...

Your story about the cocoa powder made me laugh. I get in a hurry and seem to have those kinds of incidents in my kitchen a lot. Cake looks good with cherries.

Flourchild said...

Very nice looking cake! Im glad you enjoyed it!
Mine was pretty basic but I got a bad *** birthday gift!

Nichicakes said...

Oh its so nice to be surrounded by a strong group of women!
Your cake looks delicious!

steph- whisk/spoon said...

perfect for a ladies' party! enjoy your travels!

Marthe said...

That party sounds like so much fun! Your cake looks wonderful.

Engineer Baker said...

What a lovely tradition and gathering! Sounds like a great way to step back and appreciate what's going on in your life and others'. And the chance to enjoy a great looking cake, of course!

Madam Chow said...

The cake is lovely, and I sure wish I lived in YOUR neighborhood so I could go to that party!