TWD - Chocolate Armagnac Cake - The Cake That Got Me Fired

Lyb of And then I do the dishes chose Dorie Greenspan's Chocolate Armagnac Cake this week for our Tuesdays with Dorie group. Go to Lyb's blog to get the recipe and browse around her wonderful blog. I was really hesitant to make this cake. But then it started snowing. It's March 1st, and it is snowing in Alabama. Out my front door:
So I was sort of stuck in the house and I thought why NOT try the cake. I've never flamed anything so I thought the extra heat in the house might be nice as well (ya know, since it's snowing). I have no clue what Armagnac is, but Dorie said I could use scotch. I do have that handy.

I couldn't imagine putting prunes into this cake. But I trust Dorie. But the yankee said, "if it's a prune cake in disguise, and you eat it, you'll become a 'regular' girl." Sounds like it could be a nice replacement for bran muffins.

I followed Dorie's instructions but when I tried to light the prunes with my bic lighter, they just would not light. I had imagined huge roaring flames in my kitchen. I kept sticking the lighter in and jumping back, but nothing. Then I got braver and just stuck my hand down in there and all I ever got was a sizzle. Finally, Chandler said he would go upstairs and get the Bernz-O-Matic torch for me. Can you keep a secret? Thinking to myself that the scotch might simply be old and unflameable (is there such a thing?), plus as it smelled like motor oil to me, I drained the prunes of all that (whilst he was getting the torch) and replaced it with some good ole B & B brandy mix. He never knew and I'll never tell. This time I stood back while he torched the prunes. They flamed and I clapped. You can't see the flames in this photo, but believe me they are there!

I'm not good with "gently folding in" any ingredients. But I tried my best.

Played some solitaire on the computer (I'm addicted) while the cake baked. My cakes never rise and puff the way Dorie describes, but I thought it looked pretty darn good.

Love this icing. Yum. Chandler and I sat down to a piece after it cooled and we both loved it. Definitely something I would make again and even serve to guests or take to a dinner party. I think it would probably be good with the raisens too if you did not want to use prunes.

I don't get why women go crazy over George. I mean, he's okay I guess. I just don't see him as a hunk. But I think he would have liked the cake this week, don't you? I notice in the photo, however, while I was trying my best to FLAME the cognac, he was pouring himself one to drink. How rude. Whoa, George, don't waste that stuff!! It does make him look so elegant and "James Bondish" though, don't you think?

Comments

Marthe said…
Your cake looks delicious! I actually forgot to add the icing before taking the cake to work, but it still tastes great!

I love the view of the snow too, whenever we have snow it tends to stay for a very short time, the most one week.... :(
natalia said…
Ciao ! I hope we are not getting snow but are getring bored by rain !! I love your cake !
Amanda said…
Your cake is gorgeous! I thought it tasted great :)
Sara said…
This looks delicious,I'm always nervous about setting things on fire too :)
Jennifer said…
Beautiful job!!!
LyB said…
Thanks for the eye candy. ;) So glad you liked the cake, can't go wrong with lots of chocolate and fruit soaked in a little booze. Thanks for baking along with me this week!
Maria said…
Love the pretty snow photos!! The cake looks great!
Madam Chow said…
Too funny! I don't find George attractive, either. Not my type, I guess. And we liked the cake, too!
Madam Chow
http://www.mzkitchen.com
Anonymous said…
After a ton of rain at my house, we were supposed to get 3-5 inches of snow, but we got 0. Now it is just FRIGID.
I've had a crush on George since the Facts of Life days. I like a man who always looks like he's about to laugh (and make you laugh)!
The cake looks yummy, too.
Cathy said…
What, you don't go crazy over George, Peggy? He's my favorite. I am going to have to come around and have a talk with you. Your cake looks fabulous! My flaming was kind of a dud too. What a perfect cake to make on a snowy day. And all of that dish-washing afterwards will warm you right up. I'm glad that you loved this one too!
spike. said…
I love George and this cake. Glad you got to enjoy it during the March snow!
Teanna DiMicco said…
Hahah but I do think George would have loved your cake! It is beautiful!
I love your snow pics! Yummy Yummy Cake too! You can have all my snow if ya want!
Anonymous said…
I love George. It's his smile, eyes, and attitude that do it for me.

Your cake looks great. Love the snow picture.
chocolatechic said…
I love the way you pulled a switcherroo.


My French Brandy wouldn't light.
Tammy said…
your cake does look pretty darn good! that snow looks amazing, it is heading into Autumn here in NZ but still fairly warm
Jessica said…
I don't get the George Clooney thing either.
Your cake looks fantastic. I agree that it'd be a very nice dinner party cake. It's so rich and chocolaty. I'm sure that if I remember to cut up the prunes next time people will like it!
Audrey said…
Oh, I think he looks pretty darn good too. Oh, oops, did I say he? I meant "it." The cake. The dark luscious one... Did you enjoy the snow? It looks pretty!
CB said…
LOL @ "regular" girl! I get ya. Regular. *wink-wink* George is nice but Matt Damon is my Ocean's 11 eye candy. Yum! Glad you and the hubs enjoyed the cake :)
Clara @ iheartfood4thought
Cakelaw said…
Thanks goodness it snowed so that you could try this cake - it was amazing. Yours looks fabulous - and George doesn't look so bad either.
Matt's Kitchen said…
A quick way to make it flame is to gently tip the pan until the liquid inside is dangerously close to the flames. It works every time.

I saw George recently on CNN and he looked very polished and political. Maybe he'll be President Clooney some day...
Di said…
I love the snow pictures. I wish it would snow here once in a while. (The last time we got real snow was 5 years ago.) *sigh* I think I'm going to use scotch for my cake.
AmyRuth said…
Ya know? George just has that mischievous look in his eye and an all knowing smirk on his face. Kind of captivating, I suppose. Like I would know HA.
Okay back to the cake....well prunes and chocolate, amour amour. They say they all go together, right?
I loved this cake. Mine was so moist and I think the second day probably perfect. I will make it again for sure. Thank you for stopping by for a chat.
AmyRuth
SNOW?
Your cake looks great. Good thing you aren't all that into George...less competition for me! :) That snow is amazingly beautiful!
Jacque said…
LOL, think of all the cake George could have made!

Great job with the cake and I'm impressed with your perserverance in getting the prunes to torch. (My flame didn't show up in pictures either.)
Shari said…
Your glaze looks finger-lickin' good!
Pamela said…
I'm so sorry I missed you on Tuesday/Wednesday, Peggy. It's been a crazy week and I'm finally cathcing up on my Google reader. Your cake looks great! I loved this one and thought it was like something from the bakery! Great job.

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