Our SECOND Baking Session:
Today we decided to focus on CHOCOLATE. Our two confections today are Chocolate Whoopie Pies and Brownies.
Let's start with the brownies. We tested a recipe from Ina Garten, Barefoot Contessa, [Ina, if you're reading, we LOVE you!!!] The first task was to melt the chocolate..and since we didn't have a double boiler we put the semi sweet chocolate chips, butter, and unsweetened chocolate in a large glass bowl and tempered it carefully in the microwave. We used 20 second intervals, pulling the bowl out each time to swirl around the mixture. When the mixture was completely melted we made sure we had a shinny and smooth texture. Once the chocolate was ready, we started working on the wet ingredients which contained a secret ingredient of coffee (guess its not a secret any more!). Next we combined the above with sifted flour to complete our batter, and oh and let's not forget, extra chocolate chips. Shortly after the brownies were in the oven a sweet aroma of chocolate and coffee permeated the air around us.
NEXT, we moved onto the whoopie pies. This is a true test that separates the box bakers from the rest of us. For the cakes we creamed butter, sugar, vanilla, and eggs. Next, we sifted the dry ingredients [flour, cocoa powder, baking powder & soda] and poured the dry mixture to the stand mixer to combine. The batter looked like it came from a professional bakery kitchen!! It even tasted AMAZING!! Ecstatic with our product, we scooped small dollops onto greased baking pans. We waited anxiously, peeking in to check on our cakes frequently. The cakes came out and the looked like soft chocolate pillows. While the cakes cooled, we whipped up some fresh whipped cream. We placed a heap of whipped cream in between two cakes to create a WHOOPIE PIE!!
NOW it was time for the taste test for both of our creations. As we cut into the brownies, they were very dense and smelled like a pot of strong coffee. We tasted them and while the texture was okay, the coffee flavor was too strong for both of us. While they weren't a total failure, we would definitely use a much smaller amount of the coffee grinds in the mix next time. The whoopie pies on the other hand were awesome! The cakes were light with a slightly crisp edge and the whipped cream was dreamy. Neither the chocolate cakes or the whipped cream were too sweet and we thought it made the perfect dessert!
All and all, our second baking excursion was a great experience! Both times we have baked so far, we have learned about new techniques and new tools we need to invest in to become great bakers. Stay tuned for next week…
So, tell me about the tools you need. I am the world's greatest shopper for needed pots,pans, toools and such. And are you gals going to the gym every night so you can keep yourselves in great shape or are the families gaining all the weight? More pics please because when you write the book, you will need the pics.
ReplyDeletehaha well for one thing a double boiler bowl (just a heat safe bowl) this is a small thing so we will invest in it soon. Also, yes I am going to the gym most nights, but we get more excited about making the items then eating them (especially since we havent had too many successes yet!) And I dont think we will have too much trouble giving them away :)
ReplyDeleteI can smell it all from here. Deb and I are glad you will be baking for Christmas. Can't wait to taste. We will be at dinner then leaving for SC but cannot miss the family and your goodies.
ReplyDeleteSome folks pre-bake their pie crust so the pie bakes more quickly. Don't know. Never tried.
Glad Anthony was there with you. Glad you are safe.Praise be.
Have a great day and a wonderful week. Looking forward to Christmas.