Meringue Coffee Cake

OK guys am back after quite a long break. Its summer time and we were into loads of travelling. It looked like caged birds set free finally after a long bad winter. We had some amazing vacations and get-together with friends, so yes I was a little too lazy on blogging. Not that I didn't try out any new recipes or stopped baking. Just that was too occupied with other stuffs that stopped me from posting my experiments. So there is more to come soon :).

Coffee Cake

This was one of the Daring Bakers Challenge which I didn't post on time. Loved this one and I had some new friends over while experimenting this recipe. They loved it and of course we loved them too. It was over in no time. Guys I don't say this is an easy recipe, but its delicious. Its a little tough to work with the dough, all the hard work will definitely payoff.

Ingredients:

For cake dough

4 cups flour
1/4 cup sugar
3/4 tsp salt
2-1/4 tsp dried yeast
3/4 cup milk
1/4 cup water
1/2 cup unsalted butter (room temperature)
2 large eggs

This makes 2 round cakes. You may half the quantity to make 1 cake.

Filling Meringue:

1/4 tsp salt
1/2 tsp vanilla
1/2 cup sugar
3 large egg whites
1/2 cup chocolate chips

Method:

*Combine 1.5 cups of flour, sugar, yeast and salt into a large bowl.
*Combine milk, butter and water in a saucepan and heat it in a low heat untill the butter is melted.
*Add this warm liquid gradually into the flour mixture and mix it will with an electric mixture on low    speed. Once the mixture is blended well, increase the speed and mix it for 2 mins.
*Add the 2 eggs and 1 cup of flour into this mixture and blend it on high speed for 2 min.
*Stir in the remaining flour into this mixture to make a dough. Knead the dough for another 10 mins untill it becomes soft and elastic in texture. Keep the dough in a lightly greased bowl and cover it with a plastic wrap. Keep it aside for 60-90 mins. The dough should rise.

For Filling - Meringue:

* Make the filling once the dough has doubled.
* Beat the eggs and salt in high speed until it becomes foamy.
* Add vanilla and sugar a tablespoon at a time and beat untill it forms peaks. The mixture will be glossy at this stage.

Assembling the Coffee Cake:

* Divide the dough in half.
* Line the baking sheet with parchment paper and slighly rub with butter.
* Lighly flour the work area and start working with one half of the dough. Roll out the dough in a rectangle shape. For me this was the toughest part. The dough will be a little difficult to roll out.
* Spread the meringue onto the rolled out dough. Do not spread till the edges, leave about 1/2 inch from the edge. You can add the chocolate chips on to this.
* Now carefully roll out the dough from the longer side. Seal the ends by pinching the dough. Make sure the ends are sealed.
* Carefully transfer the roll into the baking sheet. Bring the ends of the roll together and seal it forming a ring. But I made it as a arc by sealing both the ends. This will be your choice.
* Using a knife make small cuts on the outside edge of the roll. Keep it aside for 40-60 mins.
* Repeat the same with the other dough.
* Preheat the oven for 350 degrees. Brush the coffee cakes top with egg wash and bake it for approx 30 mins or untill it turns golden brown.
* Once taken out from the oven, allow it to cool.

The coffee cake can be servered by dusting some confectioner sugar on top and coffee :). Mine was over in no time. ENJOY!!!

***Cutest Cake I Ever Baked***

My love for baking started a very long time ago. Each time I visit a bakery, used to wonder how these beautiful cakes were baked and looked so perfect. My mom never baked so always thought it was difficult and couldn't make one at home. Later on when I was on my own and into experimenting all kinds of cooking, did some research on baking. Started trying out different kinds of cakes, realized it was not so tough. Now I am all into baking and cake decoration.

About 2 weeks back we got an invite for a baby shower of our friends Mary and Ruben. They are having a baby boy. We wanted to do something special for them and it was Briji's idea to bake a cake with the little baby boy theme. We got excited on the project and did a lot of research. Finally Briji came up with a beautiful design for the cake and I was all set to make it.

The design had little baby shoes and a blanket. The cake was designed to reflect a messy baby :). The color scheme was blue since its a boy. The flavor was chocolate with chocolate whipped cream filling. The filling was three layer.

The difficult part was to get the little shoes done. We made the template for the shoes first. The material used to make the shoes were gumpaste and fondant. It took me more that 2 hrs to make the shoes and was so amazed by the result. They looked stunning. It was the photo session for the shoes. Briji wouldnt let go of them.

Assembling the rest of the cake was easy. I am posting here just the chocolate cake recipe. Will be giving a detailed description of the shoe making and the icing in another posting. So stay tuned for that one.

Chocolate cake

Ingredients:
1 1/2 cup All purpose flour
2 cups Sugar
3/4 cup Cocoa powder
2 teaspoon Baking soda
1 teaspoon Salt
2 Eggs
1 cup Milk
1/2 cup Oil
2 teaspoon Vanilla essence
1 cup Boiling water

Method:

-Preheat the oven at 350 degree and prepare the pan.
- Mix in all the dry ingredients (flour, sugar, cocoa, salt and baking soda) in a bowl.
- To this add the wet ingredients starting with the eggs. Mix well. Pour in the boiling water last and blend well with a mixer.
- Pour the cake batter into the pan and bake it for 1 hour or until a toothpick is inserted and comes out clean.
- Cool the cake before decorating or cutting it.

This is a basic chocolate recipe. This cake is also yum to eat with ice cream.

Final cake....

Mary and Ruben loved this cake and we were happy. Congratulations to them and also wish them a wonderful parenthood.

*****LOLLIPOP CAKES*****

Fascinated by the variety of tasty treats out there, I was in big confusion on which one to be chosen as my first posting. Searched many blogs, recipes all over the place, flipped through food magazines, did loads of research and finally something did catch my attention.

Children are very dear to me. Love to be around them. This sweet treat is dedicated to all those little ones who hold a very special place in mine and Briji's life.

Now to the recipe, Lollipop cakes recipe source was from a Dessert magazine. Trust me, this is one of the easiest recipe that any mom can use to make her kids day very special. And presentation wise you could really amaze your friends.

 Ingredients:

1. 1/4 cup All Purpose Flour
2. 1 Teaspoon Cocoa Powder
3. 2 Tablespoon packed Light Brown Sugar
4. 1/4 Teaspoon Baking Powder
5. 1 Tablespoon Olive Oil
6. 1 Teaspoon Balsamic Vinegar
7. 2 Tablespoon Water
8. 2 Teaspoon Milk
9. 1 Tablespoon Chocolate Chip
10. 3-4 Tablespoon Milk
11. 4 Lollipop Sticks
12. 1/2 Cup Chocolate Semi-sweet Chips (melted)

Method:

- Preheat the oven at 350 degree. Prepare the mini muffin pan by spraying.
- Combine all the dry ingredients (1-4) and mix well.
- To this mix add olive oil, vinegar, water and milk (5-8) and combine well. Fold in the chocolate chip.
- Pour this batter to the prepared mini muffin. Bake for 20 minutes or until toothpick is inserted it        comes out clean.
-  Allow the cake to cool. Once cooled break it into small pieces in a bowl and add milk until it becomes sticky.
- Form 1 inch diameter balls and carefully slide a lollipop stick into each of these cake balls.
- Freeze it until the cake hardens (about 20 minutes).
- Now dip the cake in melted chocolate and make sure the whole ball is covered with chocolate. And immediately decorate with sprinkles.
- Allow it to cool on a parchment paper until set.

Enjoy the treats Friends!!!!.

PS: There is a slight variation from the original recipe.