Friday, January 27, 2012

DROP DEAD CHOCOLATE CAKE - GÂTEAU AU CHOCOLAT DÉCADENT

It is proof of a base and low mind for one to wish to think with the masses or majority, merely because the majority is the majority. Truth does not change because it is, or is not, believed by a majority of the people.
- Giordano Bruno
Every year, around the beginning of January, I witness the same circus. Food-related magazines, sites and blogs worldwide publish a list of all the forthcoming trends and give their predictions for the upcoming 11 months. After that, and until the next craze hits us comparably to a strike of lightning, the internet generally gets swamped with hip recipes, reviews of fashionable products and a wave of articles treating of those subjects furiously sweeps the web while a horde of professional as well as hobby journalists are sucked into the the eye of this powerful tornado.

Being somebody who naturally goes against the tide, dislikes blind copyism, loathes lack of individuality and disapproves of prefabricated movements, this annual proclamation of what we have to follow and this subliminal influencing of consumers makes me sick, go up the wall, smirk and chuckle as vogues are so limitating, artificial and superficial.

It always amazes me how a large number of people accept dictatorship of taste and have no problem being told what to do, to fancy, to speak about as well as in which way to act. Humanity really wants to be treated similarly to cattle and led in a pack-like manner as it makes them feel safe and not alone. Swimming with the stream gives them the sentiment of partaining to a group, thus not being an outsider. They are so afraid of alienation, segregation and unconventionality that they prefer to sacrifice their integrity for commonness so as to not get singled out by the leading majority.
These hipster zombies… are the idols of the style pages, the darlings of viral marketers and the marks of predatory real-estate agents.
 - Christian Lorentzen
Sadly, in this world we live, standing out from the crowd is really badly seen and labelled as something that is antisocial. Bollocks! Why should women and men who are true to themselves be unfriendly, not well integrated in society and secluded hermits? Maybe singularity is slightly unnerving for others as it is a mark of rebellion, uniqueness and freedom (as long as it is genuine and not another stylish attitude), but that doesn’t mean that it is a negative quality. As a matter of fact, it is a sign of intelligence and strength. Diacritic souls are honest, authentic, comfortable with their opinions and choices, don’t play games or suffer from dissociation. We have no need to create a fake identity and lie to ourselves in order to be recognized. What you see is what you get and if certain idiots don't like us, then they can get lost!

It is crucial to give no importance to the masses’ judgement or appraisal, and to find your own voice if you don’t want to be fake or manipulable. As you know, totalitarian dictatorships and politicians always achieve their goals by striking the chord of fear of rejection within the general public’s heart and missuse our human need to feel aknowledged as well as create strong ties with one another and blend into the flock (check out the movie "The Wave" as it describes this behavior pattern very well). This shows how dangerous it can be to comport oneself in a sheepish manner and deny your inner self to fit the mold. 
Never forget that only dead fish swim with the stream.
- Malcolm Muggeridge
Art is the most intense mode of individualism that the world has known.
 - Oscar Wilde
Diversity is beautiful and a great source of inspiration, while standardization is clinical and represents the death of the mind and of imagination. Take a look at some of the greatest artists and thinkers (poets, painters, writers, musicians, philosophers, etc…), had they not defied conventions, been non-conformists and had dissident visions, their creations/work would never have seen the light of day as they would never have had that special sparkle of life within themselves that made them such a genius.

To hell with fashions! They are only a means of control and the industry has also properly understood that since very long. For decades, it has shaped the minds of folks and been employing those psychological tricks to transform you into the perfect consumer, a robotic subordinate who never questions orders nor goes out of line.

Chocolate Cake 2 1 bis

Nowadays, food is extremely popular among a large fringe of the population and amazing amounts of cash are generated by it. This niche sees numbers of ephemeral trends come and go at the speed of light. Unfortunately, they are not all invented by persons with good intentions, but rather by avid entrepreneurs who milk the cow with them, don’t give a shit about locally grown veggies/fruits, budget or healthy eating, eco-friendly farming, the survival of gastronomy, the respect of the terroir, etc... Their interest is somewhere else and profit is their religion. Hence, if you want the culinary arts not evolve into a big commercial joke or to get hijacked by money hungry bastards, you’d better start cooking and baking without being influenced by corporations and not fall into their trap. Love food unconditionally, but not because of the fame it brings or the reputation it has and remember that hipsters come and go fast...

So, when I read somewhere macarons, whoopie pies and cupcakes were out, and that the next dessert obsession in 2012 will be layer cakes, I just had to laugh my guts out. Wow, what breathtaking piece of info! I mean, come on guys, don't you find that it sounds kind of déjà-vu? It is crazy how old stuff makes a regular comeback. That's what I call recycling and not novelty.

I didn't have to wait for this baked good (the same can be said about pickles, kimchi, scones, meatballls, etc...) to be approved by the public opinion to start showing some interest in it. Actually, I have been eating and baking that awesome tea time treat since a very tender age, so it is not dernier cri to me.
 
All greatness of character is dependent on individuality. The man who has no other existence than that which he partakes in common with all around him, will never have any other than an existence of mediocrity.
- James F. Cooper
My tastes don't vary according to fads. They are constant and timeless. If I enjoy a dish or a goodie, there is a big chance that I'll do so all my life. Sensationalism doesn't have any effect on me and I don't behave like a chameleon...

For example, I have a longstanding love affair with chocolate cake. It is one of the wonders of this world which I find terribly irresistible. Of course, not all chocolate cakes are equal. Some of them are just good, without being earth-shatteringly delectable and others are simply to-die-for. Well, today, the one I am presenting undoubtedly belongs to the second category. It is unquestionably one of the best chocolate cakes I have ever savored.

I found the recipe for this "Drop Dead Chocolate Cake" on Jamie's wonderful blog "My Baking Addiction" in October 2011. As soon as I laid my eyes on that dark beauty covered and filled with fudgy buttercream, I knew I had to prepare it as soon as possible. Promise made, promise kept. To celebrate the new year, I cococted this intensely cocoa-y, delightfully moist, devilishly rich, divinely morish and extraordinarily decadent confection. Needless to say that we enragedly devoured it like a couple of hungry wolves and that it disappeared incredibly swiftly. A chocolate lover's dream come true! Epic.

Chocolate Cake 5 1 bis

~ Drop Dead Chocolate Cake ~
Cake recipe adapted from "My Baking Addiction" and chocolate buttercream frosting adapted from "Savory Sweet Life".

Yields 8 servings.

Ingredients For The "Chocolate Sponge":
2 Cups (410g) Castor sugar
1 3/4 Cups (223g) All-purpose flour
3/4 Cup +2 Tbs (80g) Unsweetened cocoa powder (Cailler)
2 Tsp Baking soda
1 Tsp Baking powder
1 Tsp Fine sea salt
2 Eggs (~63g)
1 Cup (240ml) Buttermilk
1 Cup (240ml) Strong black coffee
1/2 Cup (105ml) Vegetable oil (neutral tasting)
2 Tsp Pure vanilla extract
Ingredients For The " Chocolate Buttercream Frosting":
1 Cup +1 Tbs (250g) Unsalted Butter, softened (not melted)
3 1/2 Cups (420g) Powdered sugar (sifted)
3/4 Cup (68g) Cocoa powder (Cailler, sifted)
2 Tsp Strong black coffee
2 Tsp Pure vanilla extract
1/2 Tsp Fine sea salt 
4 Tbs Milk

Method For The "Chocolate Sponge":
1. Heat the oven to 350° F (180° C). Butter and flour one 9-inch (23cm) round springform pan. Set aside.
2. In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment or in a large bowl with an electric mixer, put the sugar, flour, cocoa, baking soda, baking powder and salt. Mixing on low speed until the dry ingredients are thoroughly combined.
3. Add the eggs, buttermilk, coffee, oil and vanilla, then beat on medium speed for about 2 minutes (the batter will be thin, that's totally normal).
4. Pour the batter into the prepared pan.
5. Bake for 35 to 40 minutes or until a cake tester inserted in center comes out clean. Let cool for 10 minutes, then remove from the pan and place on the wire rack. Cool completely. 

Rose 1 2 bis

Method For The " Chocolate Buttercream Frosting":
5. Meanwhile, with a stand mixer (paddle attachment), cream the butter for a few minutes.
6. Turn off the mixer and add the powdered sugar and cocoa. On the lowest speed, mix the until the dry ingredients have been absorbed by the butter.
7. Increase the mixer speed to medium and add coffee, vanilla extract, salt and milk.
8. Beat for 3 minutes.
Method For "Assembling The Cake":
9. Cut the cake into two equal layers.
10. Place the bottom layer on a cake plate and frost with 1/3 of the buttercream.
11. Cover with the top layer and with the remaining buttercream, frost the cake as desired. 

Comments:
If your frosting needs a more stiff consistency, add a little more sugar or if it needs to be thinned out, add more milk, 1 tbs at a time.
This cake can also be covered with chocolate ganache.

Serving suggestions:
Serve this cake at any hour of the day or night (it is so decadent that you'll not be able to control yourself and will mercilessly pounce on it LOL) and accompany it with cold milk, strong coffee or sparkling wine (champagne, Clairette de Die, Prosecco, etc...).

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~ Gâteau Au Chocolat De La Mort Qui Tue ~
Gâteau adapté de "My Baking Addiction" et glaçage au chocolate adapté de "Savory Sweet Life".

Pour 8 personnes.

Ingrédients Pour Le "Gâteau Au Chocolat": 
410g de Sucre cristallisé 
223g de Farine 
80g de Cacao en poudre (non-sucré, Cailler)
2 CC de Bicarbonate de soude
1 CC de Poudre à lever
1 CC de Sel de mer fin
2 Oeufs (~ 63g)
240ml de Babeurre (lait ribot) 

240ml de Café fort 
105ml d'Huile végétale (goût neutre)
2 CC d'Extrait de vanille pure
Ingrédients Pour Le "Glaçage Au Chocolat": 
250g de Beurre non-salé ramolli (pas fondu) 
420g de Sucre en poudre/glace (tamisé) 
68g de Cacao en poudre (non-sucré/ Cailler/tamisé)
2 CC de Café fort
2 CC d'Extrait de vanille pure
1/2 CC de Sel de mer fin
4 CS de Lait

Méthode Pour Le "Gâteau Au Chocolat":
1. Préchauffer le four à 180 ° C. Beurrer et fariner un moule rond (à charnière) de 23cm. Le mettre de côté.
2. Mettre le sucre, la farine, le cacao, le bicarbonate de soude, la poudre à lever et le sel d
ans le bol d'un batteur électrique (équipé de l'accessoire batteur plat) et mélanger à basse vitesse jusqu'à ce que les ingrédients secs soient bien mélangés.
3. Ajouter les oeufs, le babeurre, le café, l'huile et la vanille, puis battre à vitesse moyenne pendant environ 2 minutes (la pâte sera liquide, mais c'est tout à fait normal).
4. Verser la pâte dans le moule.
5. Cuire pendant 35 à 40 minutes ou jusqu'à ce que la lame d'un couteau insérée au centre en ressorte propre. Laisser refroidir pendant 10 minutes, puis retirer du moule et placer le gâteau sur une grille. Faire refroidir complètement.


Chocolate Cake 1 4 bis

Méthode Pour Le "Glaçage Au Chocolat":
5. Pendant ce temps, battre le beurre en pommade à l'aide d'un batteur.
6. Éteindre le batteur et ajouter le sucre en poudre et le cacao. A petite vitesse, mélanger les ingrédients secs jusqu'à ce qu'ils aient été incorporés au beurre.
7. Augmenter la vitesse du mélangeur à moyen et ajouter le café, l'extrait de vanille, le sel et le lait.
8. Battre pendant 3 minutes.
Méthode Pour "L'assemblage Du Gâteau»:
9. Couper le gâteau en deux couches égales.
10. Placez la couche inférieure sur une assiette à gâteau et couvrir avec 1/3 du glaçage.
11. Recouvrir avec la couche supérieure et avec le reste du glaçage, glacer le gâteau comme vous le souhaitez.
 
Remarques:
Si votre glaçage est trop liquide, alors ajouter un peu de sucre en poudre. Si il est trop épais, ajouter un peu de lait (1 CS à la fois).
Ce gâteau peut aussi être recouvert de ganache au chocolat.

Idées de présentation:
Servir ce gâteau à n'importe quelle heure de la journée ou de la nuits (il est tellement bon qu'il vous sera impossible de vous contrôler LOL), accompagné d'un verre de lait, d'une tasse de café fort ou de vin mousseux (Champagne, Clairette de Die, Prosecco, etc...).

Chocolate Cake 4 1 bis

153 comments:

  1. Professionally baked cake,awesome. Enjoyed ur write-up too.

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  2. Wow. I love that perfect slice of this drop dead cake! It looks divine and absolutely yum.

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  3. :) to hell with fashion et vive les gateaux au chocolat.
    Celui-ci me fait penser (en beaucoup plus beau et avec une texture plus legere, a celui que faisait ma maman pour nos anniversaires, il y a pres de 40 ans...).
    Bises et bon weekend.

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  4. Rosa c'est IRRESISTIBLE !!! je craque ! quelle merveille ! les photos comme le gâteau...une merveille !
    bises Rosa, bon weekend

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  5. This is definitely an EPIC chocolate cake. WOW!!!

    Last year I heard that pie was the "new cupcake". Ridiculous!

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  6. Magnifique ! Très belle photo gourmande ! Bravo
    Bon weekend !

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  7. una torta così non può che essere mangiata in un'occasione molto speciale, chi avrà la fortuna di essere presente ne sarà molto felice, ciao!!! ^___^

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  8. I can definitely see why you landed on this recipe. Your pictures truly showcases how delicious it must be! Very few people can deny a slice of chocolate cake-yum! Perfection in chocolate.
    Bravo to diversity, it has brought us many wonderful things and I would hate to live in a world without it. Enjoy the weekend Rosa!

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  9. Rosa tes photos sont innoubliables. Je salive devant mon écran. Irrésistible ce gâteau !
    Cath

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  10. Ce gâteau bien taillé au couteau, une pure décadence!!!
    J'en salive une "shutt":))

    Bon vendredi à toi:)

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  11. Plus appétissant c'est impossible ! Avec la touche de moelleux et d'humidité nécessaire... oalalala !!!

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  12. A GORGEOUS piece of cake !!!!!!!

    Absolutely ready to pounce on it ;)

    cheers
    Abhilasha

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  13. lors de mon récent séjour en Suisse, nous nous sommes arrêtés chez Cailler et avons fait une belle provision de chocolat et chocolat amer....voici une belle idée pour les utiliser.

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  14. En voyant ton titre, je suis venue en courant. la coupe montre une moelleux irrésistible. La photo de ta rose est splendide, si délicate : bravo.

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  15. Je ne suis pas non plus du type à suivre les différentes modes. Quand j'ai envie de préparer un truc, c'est parce que j'ai envie de le manger (pas parce que c'est in)!!!! Ce gâteau du blog My baking addiction (que j'aime beaucoup aussi) a l'air vraiment super bon!

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  16. Wow..what a thing of beauty~ Rich..rich rich..and the gold goes so well:)

    Digne d'un beau bouquin!

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  17. Je vis avec des amateures de gâteau au chocolat décadent! Je sens que ce we, je vais leur faire un immense plaisir!

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  18. Oh la la, une merveille!!!

    It's truly magical. I want one. Actually, make it two!

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  19. the cake looks so moist and divine...decadent indeed! :)

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  20. I am with you on trends, I can't stand all those silly cupcakes lined up at certain bakery, and they really don't interest me. I am puzzled that they are still going strong, at least where I live.

    Funny to think that the "new" trend is layered cakes, who decides, I wonder.

    I find most layered cakes too sweet so I usually don't eat them, this one look beautiful.

    Well done!

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  21. Oh this looks spectacular! I'm a sucker for anything with chocolate. Great job Rosa!

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  22. There isn't a week that goes by where chocolate is set aside...I've gotta have my fix ;o)

    Gorgeous slice of life's wonderful moments...through your cake of course Rosa ;)

    Have a great weekend,
    Claudia

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  23. Beautiful cake, Rosa! Today is my mom's birthday, and I know this is right up her alley! :D

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  24. The cake is amazing.. Am bookmarking this recipe..

    BTW, I love all the photo esp that milk bottle pic. :)

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  25. Uau!!!
    This cake look so scrumptious and decadent. I can imagine where the name comes from :))))!
    Wishing you a fantastic weekend,
    Lia

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  26. Comment résister à de si belles photos, on "lèche l'écran" de plaisir (lol)
    Bisous

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  27. i have to give you props on the slicing of the cake. wow. it's perfect. nice job.

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  28. The food trends lists drive me crazy. Delicious doesn't come into or go out of style! Your cake is stunning. Beautiful layers, and it looks richly chocolaty!

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  29. moist and decadent chocolate cake really hard to resist!

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  30. Beautiful job Rosa! This cake looks sinfully delicious.

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  31. Beautiful!!Rosa..you are so eloquent..you said some things in this post I have been thinking about but did not verbalize..you nailed it.
    I love chocolate..although I am not a baker--I make a simple chocolate cake and cover it with chocolate whipped cream and a chocolate whipped cream layer..topped off with chocolate shavings. It is simple to make..wish I could bake like you.
    Have a great weekend.
    Amities,
    Melanie

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  32. This looks deadly tempting and delicious!

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  33. Wow! That is so beautiful! Looks delicious!
    Cheers:)

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  34. it looks absolutely decadent! ;)

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  35. Quelle délicieuse portion chocolatée
    Je te souhaite une bonne fin de semaine

    Valérie.

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  36. Amo el chocolate en todas sus formas y un trozo perfecto como éste me deleita el paladar,muy hermoso,abrazos hugs,hugs.

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  37. Love the name. But love the cake even more! ;)

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  38. Rosa chez toi les pâtisseries sont toujours aussi alléchantes et belles !
    Bon week-end
    A++Sacha

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  39. All I want now is to grab that piece of cake from the screen. Both the cake and the frosting look lovely. A perfect cake. Very tempting! Have a nice weekend Rosa!
    Cheers

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  40. Oh my Lordy!! I want to face-plant into that decadently moist cake :D

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  41. Rosa, I enjoyed your writing about taking a stand against food fads. Who needs fads, when there is so much good food to love!
    And your cake looks decadently delicious!
    -Erin

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  42. I hear you :)
    I don't believe in following the fads, being in trend, or always being a yes-man(woman) either, Rosa.
    Like Bill Cosby said “I don't know the key to success, but the key to failure is trying to please everybody.”
    After all, people come and go, and fads fade - what only remains with us, is ourselves :)

    All your pictures make the food look drop-dead, in addition to this cake :D

    Cheers,
    Nisha

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  43. Perfect title for the cake! Absolutely divine and a decadent piece of cake.

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  44. OMG... It is Drop Dead looking piece of chocolate cake!
    And a perfectly sliced one too :D

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  45. oh, so delicious-looking!

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  46. Goodness gracious, now that's a yummy yum if I know one! I love how even the bottle of milk calls for a party (golden shinies)! Sadly, I think some people are leaders and others prefer to follow. And since I can't find my ultimate brownie recipe, I'll have to settle for a decadent drop dead chocolate cake (things could be worse)!!
    thanks and cheers,
    Laure

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  47. Pire que décadent là!! Il est irrésistible et magnifique!!
    Bon week end ma chère rosa

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  48. Well said Rosa!Beautiful cake and exquisite photos!

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  49. Divine!!!!! That cake looks simply amazing and perfect!!!! I'm bookmarking this one as I absolutely adore chocolate....and chocolate cakes.

    And I totally agree with you regarding diversity. I'm a bit like you, if somethings popular then it only serves to make me less inclined to want it.

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  50. beautiful cake and presentation looks wonderful

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  51. How much life wisdom lies in a chocolate cake !
    Liebe Grüsse Robert

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  52. Look at that perfect slice of this heavenly cake...
    Delicious!!!!
    Rosa your photography makes me so so hungry my dear friend...
    Beautiful!!

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  53. Layer cakes? Gosh, i've been eating that since i was a baby and now it's going to be a trend? okay. strange.

    don't generally get into a trend unless i like that object as well. also, i think that most people are afraid to stand out because they fear that they will be rejected.

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  54. Did you deliberately repeat the photos to tempt tempt and tempt us? :) .....

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  55. OMG Rosa i'm drolling! Ur cake is irresistibleeeeeeee

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  56. Totalement décadent et j'approuve ça! ^^

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  57. The cake looks amazing, and your photos are stunning.

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  58. I believe it, Rosa. It's drop dead gorgeous. And you've cut it perfectly. Your photos are amazing.

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  59. je n'ai jamais osé me lancer dans ce genre de gâteau décadent. Superbe réussite.

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  60. I would die a happy woman if a slice of this cake did to me what the name says. WOW, just wow, Rosa!

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  61. wàouhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh

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  62. Fantastic cake. It's on my to-do list.

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  63. Without discounting the delcious wedge of chocolate cake that greeted me in this post, I love and agree with your stance on trends, etc. I do not accept this "dictatorship of taste". Love that phrase!

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  64. oh.my.god. this looks unbelievable... so professional. absolutely gorgeous & yum

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  65. Félicitations Rosa ton gâteau est magnifique !!!
    Bises et bon week end
    Manon

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  66. As I was reading your article tonight I was instantly reminded of my cousin Isabelle with whom I had dinner this week and who was passionately saying the same things you are writing albeit using other words; it was as if she was speaking in your mouth; this cake now is timeless in its taste and beauty and the photos of it are breathtakingly beautiful. What an artist you are and artists can never follow trends they set trends (the good ones that is!)

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  67. there's only one word to describe the cake......... PERFECTION!

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  68. While you got it from Jamie, I want to get it from you. Pinning. I love, adore rich chocolate cake especially when it has coffee in it. So gorgeous too

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  69. your pictures are juste perfect enough to make me feel to get a part of your chocolate cake... how yummy.
    Bises

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  70. This chocolate cake looks to die for! So beautiful. I wish I could eat it!!!

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  71. You put your heart and soul into this post...as always. I feel sorry for my teens in a way because anything revolutionary, truly alternative or left-field, whether food-related or otherwise, is seized upon very quickly by marketing forces and reinvented for the mainstream.
    Guilty as charged for doing a 2012 predictions article but for all the right reasons (I hope!) Not a whoopie pie mention in sight though :)

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  72. " avid entrepreneurs who milk the cow with them, don’t give a shit about locally grown veggies/fruits, budget or healthy eating, eco-friendly farming, the survival of gastronomy, the respect of the terroir, etc... Their interest is somewhere else and profit is their religion."

    Well said, by the way I heard that lamb is the new bacon...

    Divine photos. Your cake looks amazing, I could take a bite out of my screen and taste it.

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  73. My God ! Perfectly made one..I loved your amazing clicks.

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  74. c'est juste tout simplement superbe, quel talent!

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  75. ahh This cake was almost like love at first sight. If only it was covered with tempered chocolate instead of the butter cream finish. Nevertheless, your boldness with the camera has convinced me to follow you.

    Keep up the good work.

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  76. You already know just how anti-trend, anti-fad I am... and I too was stunned when I read some of those 2012 food trends lists and wondered "green leafy vegetables? shopping at farmer's markets? family meals?" are trends now? I too laugh my guts out as I scratch my head that people want to label everything a trend and follow them! I am also chuckling as I have just made my own chocolate layer cake which is now waiting to be frosted on my kitchen table. Ecellent post, darling Rosa. xoxo

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  77. Oh, and your cake is fabulous!!!!

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  78. Such an interesting and honest post and very true - why should we stop baking things just because they supposedly go out of fashion? This cake looks very decadent and delicious - such a treat!

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  79. totally agree with you...whoever thinks he/she can use "fad" cooking to make a mark, is so behind the time. And I have a loved a chocolate cake..well probably even before this life!
    Ronelle
    PS: I struggle TERRIBLY to leave a comment on your site with my Wordpress account, everytime, so I had to switch to my google account to leave this comment..
    R

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  80. Wow!Wow et Rewow!! Ce gâteau est fabuleux.. Et que dire des images.. Bravo Rosa:)

    Bo dimanche XX

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  81. Wow! C'est un gâteau parfait

    Bonne semaine Rosa

    Gigi

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  82. Now that is a name I want to see on my chocolate cake :) My mouth is water at your gorgeous photos.

    I love the sepia tone to the rose photo, lovely. Happy sunday Rosa!

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  83. This looks like a cake to die for! Stunning!

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  84. I don't remember last time I saw such an amazing cake! I also wonder how you manage to make the layers, the frosting and the slice look so perfect and neat.
    I totally agree with you. (I also think everyone should see The Wave, even though it might have been better directed...).

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  85. Rosa aahh! Decadent and delicious!:))))

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  86. il me fait de l'oeil ton gâteau !! wouaou !!!

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  87. Becs@Lay the table11:43 PM, January 29, 2012

    Completely agree on the fads! loving the look of this cake by the way, you can just tell how moist it is in the pic!

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  88. Tu l'as bien nommé, il tue ce gâteau.

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  89. You tell em Rosa! here's to individuality and following your own path! That has to be the most perfect chocolate cake ever…and that slice has me drooling! Beautiful pics too!

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  90. that's what i call deep, dark decadence! what a gorgeous cake, rosa!

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  91. I can see by the comments that everyone else found this cake as beautiful looking as I did. Lovely shots...

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  92. 100% avec toi dans chacun de tes propos ! ;o))
    Idem pour le gâteau, of course !
    Bisous
    Hélène

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  93. I'd give an arm for this chocolate cake!

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  94. It is easier for a human to just follow the trend then actualy creating a own style. I call that lazyness or maybe it is a lack of self confidence..? or is it cool, hip? I dont know,.. and I ll never understand this phenomen.

    about your cake... it look amazing and I wouldnt mind a bite or 2! any left Rosa? =D

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  95. GOLOSISSIMA! BRAVA ROSA ;)
    SEE YOU SOON
    vale

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  96. This cake is dead gorgeous. I don't follow trends. I like being me. I've been baking layered cakes since I am seven yrs old. To me this is old-fashioned and I love it. I take such a great pleasure in baking layered cake and eating them :)

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  97. Whoa Rosa this chocolate cake slice is picture perfect. Well done my friend!

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  98. Hey jolie blog! Je viens de te découvrir à travers Christina fbtp. Je suis sur Lausanne, et toi?

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  99. NIEVES: Merci pour le commentaire et la visite! Je suis sur Genüve. ;-)

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  100. Cupcakes are nice to look at with fancy decoration that's all.....One bite and I'm full but if you serve me your whole chcocolatey chocolatey cake now...I'll eat them ALL ;)

    You are such a respected baker/cook :D

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  101. I'm SO glad you are your own person, Rosa. :-) I've loved following you on Pinterest, seeing your marvelous individuality through your choices of clothing and other loves. Your cake looks marvelous. :-)

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  102. That cake looks absolutely perfect!

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  103. That is the most incredible chocolate cake, so moist and luscious!

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  104. Oh la la! Quelle Gateau! This looks positively decadent!

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  105. Wow blow me away! Drop dead gorgeous chocolate cake. Can't get any more perfect than this. Interesting recipe for the sponge... It looks so moist and rich! Is it dense or light in texture?

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  106. Nice post! I agree with you that we seem to sadly follow trends, and I for one refuse to make whoopie pies or cupcakes because they are the in thing. This chocolate cake however is another thing entirely.

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  107. Those who follow the flock inevitably step in shit.

    Your cakes always look so yummy and beautiful. I make really ugly cakes.

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  108. Rosa, Your photos are exquisite and your words so true!

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  109. My chocolate cake is always made of cocoa and never with chocolate slabs. I love that this drop dead chocolate cake also has cocoa and no butter. Will make this next time, very soon.

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  110. Let me say...this is the best looking chocolate cake EVER. I don't know when I can bake a cake like this (My baking is not this level yet), but I will keep this recipe and I'll be so happy when I can have a bite of this cake one day...

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  111. Chocolate Cake will never go out of fashion in my book! Especially one as gorgeous as this!

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  112. Wow! Your cake looks perfect, dark moist and a little squidy, yum yum!

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  113. tes photos sont sublimes !!!
    Bises

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  114. Great insight on fashionable food trends and what a gorgeous gateaux! Perfectly decorated and beautifully presented! Cheers

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  115. This chocolate cake is a piece of heaven! :)

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  116. Great post! I'm like you, Rosa -- definitely not one to follow fashions, especially when it comes to food!

    The cake is stunning. It looks super moist and fudgy and is probably one of the prettiest cakes I've come across!

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  117. love the oscar wilde quote and this cake is beyond compare!

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  118. Décadent ET indécent ! Difficile de ne pas succomber !

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  119. beautifully written post! This cake is so perfect and rich. Looks stunning!

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  120. Dear Rosa, This is just a beautiful looking chocolate cake! Bravo! Blessings, Catherine xoxo

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  121. I adore chocolate cake, yours look perfect, fantastic must be a delicious bite!

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  122. OH MY that does look like the perfect cake!!!

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  123. Wow Rosa, this chocolate cake is sure to die for...love the strong coffee with chocolate. Beautiful pictures...as always.
    Have a great week :)

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  124. I don't believe in food trends either. I am open to new ideas but there is no way that I will set aside what I love because it is "old fashioned". Love your chocolate cake.

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  125. Wow - what a cake! And umm.... layer cakes were ever OUT of fashion?! Really? Oops.

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  126. Rosa,
    Food predictions are like movie reviews: you just have to see for yourself and ignore what you hear.

    Beautifully photographed post!

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  127. GORGEOUS!!!! Love the photos, the cake looks perfect! Almost too perfect to eat!

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  128. una tarta estupenda. Las fotos mejor aún. Saludos.

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  129. The cake is looking gorgeous and so perfectly done. Great pics

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  130. I'm with you on going against the flow and not being disctated to. These food fads like cranberries, whoopie pies etc which come and go get on my nerves. Good food is important. Thank goodness for things like chocolate cake which are always wonderful. Love these photos Rosa and your stunning cake. I'd choose a piece of this over a cupcake any day.

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  131. how do you make your cake slices so clean and perfect??? stunning cake! my chocolate cake is more, ahem!, "rustic" - heehee. Not quite as professionsl quality like yours!

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  132. On n'a qu'une envie, c'est de croquer dans cette magnifique épaisseur de gourmandise!

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  133. A slice of divine bliss and a piece of perfect art.I am speechless. However cannot expect anything less from you. What a perfectly sliced one.. how do you do it?

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  134. Perfect name for this absolutely gorgeous cake!

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  135. the food trend list drives me crazy. never a follower either I don't pay any attention to it. your cake is stunning. the slice i sperfection!

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  136. TEsté ce week-end. Il n'est pas devenu aussi joli mais délicieux. Parfait pour ces jours de grand froid! Merci.

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  137. Superbes photographies ! Tu sais nous donner envie !

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  138. Perfection in the recipe..Perfection in the photos..Just perfect!

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  139. merci!!! ce gâteau est une véritable merveille!! j'ai juste utilisé le biscuit pour en faire des cup cakes, trop pressée d'y goûter... et c'est vraiment à tomber!!léger,humide, savoureux, je crois que c'est le meilleur gâteau au chocolat que j'ai mangé!merci encore!!

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  140. Hi Rosa

    I pinned your chocolate cake recipe on to one of my boards. Atleast a hundred people repinned it. Everyone believes in your sweet recipe. I love it.

    Thank you

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  142. So rich, luxurious and decadent. No way I'd share this, no matter even if it's my valentine. :)

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  143. Very Yummy Cake Rosa! as well as gorgeous pictures !! Going to pin this for bookmarked recipe!

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