Mahogany Cake

Have you ever watched the Food Network Challenge cakes? After the contestants complete these elaborate cakes, they have to move it to the judging table. They have to be so careful not to break their creation. I would have failed the contest. When I made this cake, it came out perfect. Then I decided to move the cake to the cake stand. It cracked. I tried to fill in the crack with additional icing but it didn't disguise it. This Project Pastry Queen recipe was picked by Amanda of Homekeeping Adventures. Please check out the other members posting of the recipe at The Project Pastry Queen and for the icing recipe.

 The cake is really good. My oldest daughter said it tastes similar to the KFC chocolate cake. I did not add any espresso. My children are crazy already! I just added chocolate chips.

Cracked in transport

Cake
1 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
1 1/2 cups sugar
3 eggs
1/2 cup boiling water
1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 cup sour cream
1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
2 cups sifted cake flour
1 tsp baking powder
1/3 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
4 oz. chocolate chips

Directions: 

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
2. Grease the Bundt pan with cooking spray.
3. Dust with cocoa powder and tap the excess powder from the pan.
4. Cream the butter and sugar in a large bowl for about 2 minutes or fluffy.
5. Add the eggs one at a time and beat for 20 seconds after adding each egg.
6. In a medium bowl, combine the boiling water with the cocoa powder. Stir until smooth.
7. Stir in the sour cream and vanilla.
8. In another medium bowl, combine the flour with the baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
9. Alternating, add the flour mixture and cocoa powder to the butter mixture. Beat until incorporated.
10. Fold in the chocolate chips.
11. Spoon the batter into the Bundt pan.
12. Bake for 40 to 45 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean.
13. Allow the cake to cool for 5 minutes and invert onto a rack.
14. Allow the cake to cool for 20 minutes before icing.

Recipe adapted from The Pastry Queen cookbook.

Did you already know...
-The Food Network Challenge cakes is a show about professional chefs competing for a $10,000 prize in front of a live audience.
-The contestants are assigned different themes they have to compete within 8 hours.
-The cakes have a minimum height requirement.