Yes it’s been a very long time since my last post but maybe the time has come to resurrect My Ramblings.
A topic was thrown into the mix recently that has given me a lot of food for thought trying to work through for the right answer which I’ve decided to write into my blog. So come along for the journey of discovery.
What is my favourite cake?
Well I do love a good rich dark fruit cake. I used to make and decorate wedding cakes and I had a fantastic recipe (for those that chose the traditional fruit cake) which I eventually chose to halve and make for my Christmas cakes too. Full of dried fruit – raisins, sultanas, currants, glace cherries and candied peel, almonds and spices. Can’t wait for Christmas so I can indulge.
But for a cake that could be eaten as a sweet treat on other occasions? Hmmm, as much as I like chocolate the thought of a heavy dense chocolate mud cake, does nothing for me. So what about something spicy? Cinnamon, nutmeg and ginger are all so aromatic and enticing, but no not on top of the list. Carrot with Cream Cheese topping? I do love Cream Cheese Topping but that doesn’t hit the high notes either. Citrus? Lemon, Orange, Mandarin or even Lime and Coconut (this combination sounds so tempting but still to be tried). They miss top place too. So what does that leave me with. Well I can hardly get through a day without my coffee hit, but even as much as the daily cuppa fulfills my craving the same flavoured cake doesn’t make the grade either.
I tried to picture myself in a French Patisserie (well I have been in an Aussie version when visiting St Kilda in Melbourne). The glass cabinet and windows with shelf upon shelf laden with trays of every type of cake. So many combinations I would never have considered and looking so enticing. Hmm, maybe the Apricot & Almond? Or what about Pineapple & Passionfruit? So many to choose from but…
Ah, there it is – the cake that I have ended up selecting whenever I’ve been given the chance.
Black Forest Gateau. http://bakery.sg/bakeryproducts/images/blackforestcake.jpg
So what is it about this beautiful cake that is so perfect for me? The cake although of chocolate, is so light and airy – almost a sponge rather than a denser crumbly cakey texture. And throughout the cake are little almost secretly hidden surprises of cherries.
I love cherries! Whether fresh dark burgundy (almost black) luscious fleshed cherries from Blenheim, or bright red sticky syrupy glace cherries (no not the plasticy artificial ones often sold as glace cherries). The type my family and friends will pass over to me taken from whatever their chosen cake was that these had decorated the top with. Or the wonderfully flavoured juicy Marachino Cherries that have been soaked in an alcohol based fluid. Divine!!
So yes, Black Forest Gateau. A layered treat with these wonderful cherries scattered throughout the cake then sprinkled between the layers and finally used to decorate the top.
I have decided – this is my all-time favourite cake.
Just as well there aren’t too many places in Christchurch that make this wonderful concoction and those that do are far enough away from my daily grind that I’m not tempted to indulge very often. In fact it’s been longer than I can even remember since I tried a piece. Must see about rectifying that – just for a treat now 🙂
My Ramblings 
