Monday, May 10, 2010

A Chocolate Peanut Butter Birthday

Happy Birthday, Mr. President.


Seriously. Try to tell me that isn't one sexy cake.

It's fine. Don't hurt yourself trying. I know you can't, in good conscience, act like that cake is just okay. (Am I getting a bit puffed up? You are more than welcome to smack me.)

Anyways...


This three layered chocolate peanut butter cake is not a first run cake for me. I made it last summer and carved it into a hot tub. But... this occasion called for a more traditional presentation. So I layered the rich chocolate cake with creamy peanut butter buttercream.


And coated the whole thing with that very same icing, reserving just a bit for later. And then... ooooh... and then... I made up a thick semi-sweet chocolate ganache with a healthy dose of peanut butter melted in.


I let it cool a bit so it wouldn't completely get away from me, and then I poured it over the top and encouraged a little over the sides. Just enough to look tempting and rich, but not enough to cover all of that gorgeous buttercream.


Finally, I fit a piping bag with a star tip and filled it with the leftover buttercream. Next time I'll add more sugar to this decorative buttercream so I can have big, poofy pillows of buttercream on top. These stars are a bit retiring.

Despite the retiring stars, no one complained about this festive bit of decadence. The birthday boy, who requested something rich and chocolate on par with this blast from the past, was beyond pleased. Just today I received a text in which he proclaimed me a "miracle baker." Well... I don't know about all that... but I sure can follow a recipe. ; )


By the way, how do you like the birthday boy's cake slicer?

10 comments:

Grace said...

STOP with your amazing-ness. I'm going to have to make this...ASAP.

The College Baker said...

Wow. That looks simply AMAZING. I love the effect of the chocolate dribbled over the sides - it looks gorgeous!

Evan said...

I don't normally think of foods as sexy, but that is one sexy cake.

Doll Face said...

So, it's kinda a big deal when something looks yummy to me when it contains chocolate, as I find chocolate to be just about the most disgusting food ever (right behind bananas), but those photos look incredible. Good job, baby girl!

Eva said...

that looks totally hot.

Lot-O-Choc said...

WOW! i cant believe how good this cake looks, i would love to get this for my birthday, my layer cakes always turn out disastorous though hehe :(

Amber said...

That is so ludicrously gorgeous! I can almost taste it from the pictures, seriously.

Amanda said...

Doll Face: Um... so you'd really hate my current favorite snack, a banana with nutella?

And everyone else... I seriously wish I could have shared with you! It is that good. Make it! Make it!

Ash said...

That is one a amazing looking cake... like really!!

How To Eat A Cupcake said...

Wow, that cake looks freakin amazing! Wanna makea a road trip to be a guest baker at my bakery when I finally open one?? ;D

And another WOW! A butcher's knife!!