There is only one cake on this earth I have enjoyed that I could easily say I would be able to make a commitment to spending the rest of my life with. Not even the boulangeries I've been to in France compare. I am a firm believer that this cake is the best cake on earth...only if you love chocolate of course.
This cake is the classic "Turtle Cake". But this isn't just any turtle cake. It is in fact, the cake pictured with me in my profile photo, therefore in my opinion the most delicious, moist, chocolatey creation made by man powered by God. One of my favorite cafes in all of the world is located right in my turf in St. Paul, MN known as Cafe Latte. I had this cake for the first time about 5 years ago and much to the utter excitement of myself, discovered that they gave their recipe out. So, complete with pictures I give to you...a cake I would actually marry, the most delicious Turtle cake ever:
Cafe Latte Turtle Cake:
Ingredients:
Cake:
- 1 Egg
- 2/3 cup Vegetable Oil
- 1 cup Buttermilk
- 2 cups flour
- 1 3/4 cups Sugar
- 1/2 cup Cocoa Powder (As dark as possible)
- 1 tsp Salt
- 1 tbsp Baking Soda
- 1 cup Hot Coffee
Frosting:
- 1/2 cup Milk
- 1 Cup Sugar
- 6 tbsp Butter
- 2 cups Semisweet Chocolate Chips
- 3/4 cup Caramel
- 1 1/2 cups Toasted Pecans
Making the Cake:
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease 3 (9-inch) cake pans. Cover each bottom with disk of parchment paper.
2. In bowl, combine egg, oil and buttermilk. In large separate bowl, mix together flour, sugar, cocoa, salt and baking soda.
2. In bowl, combine egg, oil and buttermilk. In large separate bowl, mix together flour, sugar, cocoa, salt and baking soda.
3. Gradually add wet ingredients to dry until well mixed.
4. Gradually add hot coffee.
5. Scrape batter into prepared pans.
6. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until toothpick inserted into center comes out clean. Let cake rest in pans for 10 minutes. Turn out onto wire racks to cool.
6. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until toothpick inserted into center comes out clean. Let cake rest in pans for 10 minutes. Turn out onto wire racks to cool.
Making the Delightful Frosting:
1. Mix sugar and milk in saucepan.
2. Add butter and bring to a boil.
3. Remove from heat and then add chocolate chips to pan. Using wire whisk, mix until smooth. If frosting is too thick or grainy, add 1 or 2 teaspoons hot coffee.
Assembling the Turtle Cake:
1. Place one cooled cake layer, top-side down, on cake plate.
2. Spread this layer with one-third of frosting, pushing it out gently from edges to make a petal effect. Sprinkle with 1/2 cup pecans, Drizzle with 1/4 cup caramel.
3. Add next layer, again top-side down. Repeat frosting and sprinkle with 1/2 cup pecans and drizzle with 1/4 cup caramel.
4. And final layer top-side up, frost with petal effect and finish with remaining pecans and caramel.
Delight away!
