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?