TWD - Dressy Chocolate Loaf

This week I have had hair issues. One hint of moisture in the air and my hair, being naturally curly, just frizzes and gets huge making me feel like I need to carry saws with me to expand doorways to be able to walk through them. Other days, the sun is shining and I use my Instyler and pull those curls out to straight perfection. Yes, I actually have an Instyler and I love it! Have you ever noticed though that men actually define themselves by their hair or lack of it. "Oh you remember Joe Smo. He's younger than me, but has less hair." Or, "I saw Jim Beano at the store. He's going bald." Or, how about "John Frank's forehead just keeps getting higher and higher."  Also the "I wish I looked like George Clooney or at least had his hair." Chandler is always saying he will not go to a hair salon that gives those quick, cheap cuts. I tell him why not - it doesn't take an expert to cut those two hairs on the top of his head! He did have beautiful hair when we met. Sort of a mullet, but classier. Of course, if you are Shemar Moore from Criminal Minds you look good bald!  Okay, enough hair venting - on to the food part!

One of my favorite bloggers Amy Ruth of Amy Ruth Bakes is hosting this week's Tuesday with Dorie group.  Check out her web page for the recipe and to see her fabulous version of this chocolate cake.

I have good news and bad news.  Even though I followed Dorie's instructions to the letter, my cake fell in the middle.  I have never had a cake to do that before so I am not sure what happened.  Because of that, I was unable to cut the cake into the three layers it called for so I opted for two layers.  The cake was cold when I began to cut.  However, it just kept falling into pieces. 

I used Strawberry Seedless Jam for my filling.  Don't you love that I put this on a Mexican inspired plate?  It was the only square/rectangle one I had!  Here you can see the dip in the middle.

Then when I tried to frost it, the frosting was sticking to the cake and pulling off chunks of it.  I gave up on my hope of a perfect looking cake.  Even when I tried to slice it, it would just crumble.  The GOOD news is I do want to try it again though because it tasted so delicious!  I thought it was even better the next day.  My apologies to Amy Ruth for screwing up an uncomplicated recipe, but I can't wait to see hers!  And I hope you all will try this cake because it is really fabulous.  And  a perfect size cake for a dinner party.

Health Tip for the Week!  Mayo Clinic researchers report that women who enjoy a glass of wine each day are 54% less likely to gain weight. The healthier your weight, the happier your kidneys are. So get out there and have yourself a glass of red wine!

Comments

AmyRuth said…
Mmmm, I'll need to get me a glass of red wine for sure, especially if I can fight off a few pounds while eating all this cake.... ar ar ar. Great tip, Peggy. LOL
About the hair, I love my mental picture of you walking about with chain saws. What a hoot.
Your cake looks great, so sorry you had a mishap, but its just baking and the fun is that you can always try it later and eat some more (with red wine, right?) just for fun. Thanks for your very kind words and for getting back in with TWD and baking along with me this week.
AmyRuth
Kayte said…
Your cake looks great...sometimes cakes just have a mind of their own. I had a little trouble transporting the cake from the cutting board to the cake plate...it wanted to break in the middle...but that's what frosting is for!! And the jam helped glue it all back together. Shhh...don't tell anyone.
Jessica said…
Definitely try it again! The taste was great, and I bet no one even knew you had problems with it. Or just make the frosting and serve with a spoon :)
Jessica said…
You and I have the same hair. I have watched the InStyler infomercial before and often wondered if it would actually do anything for my hair. After reading your review it seems like maybe the InStyler would free me from my permanent pony-tail do! I have to go to a reception with Dudley tonight and I have an hour blocked out for hair straightening.
On to the cake -- it looks tasty even with a few teensy mishaps. A couple of my cake layers were splitting too but I just used the jam and the frosting to sort of glue them back together. If anyone could tell they didn't let on!
Jessica said…
P.S. you are so right about guys and hair! And Dudley likes to paw at his head (he still has lots of hair -- no balding) and he asks if I don't think he had more hair when we started dating then he does now. And he freaks out every time he gets his hair cut because they manage to do something wrong each time. Of course, that's because he goes to the places that Chandler won't go to. I keep telling him he has to go to an actual salon to get what he wants.
Spike said…
as long as it tastes good- who cares what it looks like?
TeaLady said…
Hope you try this one again, cause it is sooo good. My minis held up quite well.

Looks moist and delicious.
Mary said…
This was good cake! It was the perfect size for my dinner (moving) party too!
Pamela said…
First of all, I love all of the hair comments in your post. Especially Jim Beano...I'm betting he's got more going on than just hair issues. ;-) Anyway...sorry that your cake was crumbling on you, but I'm glad you liked it. Taste is all that matters.
The Bake More said…
I can sympathize with your hair woes; I can’t wait till “curly” hair comes back in style! Love the look of your cake, I don’t mind crumbs at all.
The Mortensens said…
When I clicked on your name by the comment you left, blogger took me to your profile. I noticed that we have many of the same interests and taste in movies/music!

Anyway, I'm glad you liked the cake even though you had some trouble with it. It was one of my favorites.
Paula said…
I've never heard of Instyler. Am I missing out on something? Sorry about your cake but glad it was tasty. I've had days like that.
Katrina said…
I wouldn't call it a screw up since it still tasted good. Wonder what happened though.
Cakelaw said…
Love your Mexican plate! Sorry this cake misbehaved, but I agree - it was delicious.
Sorry this one gave you trouble. I hope you try it again with better luck. If the frosting gives you trouble next time, try warming it up and you might be able to just pour it over the cake like a chocolate glaze.
Jules Someone said…
Mmmm, that looks delicious! I'm a curly girl, too, but I don't straighten. Too lazy. ;-)
Marthe said…
LOL about the hair, my hair is as straight as it comes so no frizzing issues here most off the time.

Your cake still looks pretty, maybe it was overbaked and that's why you couldn't cut it properly?

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