Saturday 15 March 2008

100th Post and 1st Birthday

Chocolate Whisky Raisin Cake


Cooking the Books first year was at the end of February, but I only realised it had been a whole year when I read some similar first birthday posts from friends blogs, and thought …wonder when I started blogging? I could hardly believe a year had passed, but it has, and it seems good to have it on my birthday and century post.


I made this Dorie cake for my Hubby for our recent Wedding Anniversary, and it was a good choice because he loved it! The recipe comes from Dorie Greenspan’s Baking From My Home to Yours, and it’s in the ‘playing around’ part next to the recipe for Chocolate Armagnac Cake – The Cake That Got Me Fired. If you have Dorie’s book, and don’t always read all the stories, do read the one on the purple page next to the recipe, it’s a funny and touching story.


The raisins are steeped in whisky overnight, and it means that they retain their flavour and taste even after baking, there are ground almonds too to give extra taste and moistness. I’ve made chocolate and whisky cakes before, and it’s surprising how well they go together, the chocolate calms down the fire-breathed whisky and the whisky in turn deepens the chocolate. Some whipped cream is a good addition for dessert, but it’s actually good in the afternoon with a cup of tea as well, in fact the Whisky-raisin taste comes out more that way. I used a Malt Whisky, because that’s what we mostly have in the cupboard, and coming from the land of Whisky itself it’s easy enough to come by a wide selection here. Another winner from Dorie! Now I’ve put the Chocolate Armagnac Cake (with Armagnac soaked prunes and ground pecans) on my list to try as well.

Happy 1st Birthday!

40 comments:

breadchick said...

Congrats on both the 1st Birthday AND 100th post!

I haven't done this version of "playing around" with the TCGMF, but will have to do so for an upcoming friend's birthday.

Rhyleysgranny said...

Cogratulations on both counts:)
That cake looks superb. Lovely photos too

glamah16 said...

Thats a great sounding cake. Did you make the roses. I was planning on making some in royal icicng today? Just beautiful.

Lydia (The Perfect Pantry) said...

Happy blogiversary! It's a real achievement to blog for an entire year -- and for 100 posts. Here's to Year Two of Cooking the Books.

Coffee and Vanilla said...

Happy Birthday :)
Beautiful cake!
I will be making one soon as my blog has fist birthday next week!!

Greetings, Margot

Brilynn said...

Congrats on a year!

I've made this cake with prunes and armagnac and it's one of my favourites, I've been craving it ever since I made it. Definitely give it a try.

Peabody said...

Happy 100th post and birthday.

Anonymous said...

Happy anniversary and bravo for 100 posts and a great looking cake. I'm so glad you and your husband liked it.

Anonymous said...

Lovely to see you back blogging, Kelly-Jane, it was on your recommendation I bought Dorie's book and I am so pleased I did, all the recipes I've tried have turned out well. We particularly like the Carrot Spice Muffins, umm lovely! I have been looking for a good chocolate cake amongst my vast collection of cookery books, spoilt for choice actually, and now you have made my mind up for me, I will make this one for Easter weekend when my family will be up visiting. I'll let you know how it turns out. Nice to see you have Dorie reading your blog, what an honour!Jeannette

Mary Bohner said...

Kelly-Jane, I love the layout of your blog and the content is well worth reading. I will definitely be coming back again and again. Thank you for leaving such a nice comment about my pantry posted on The Perfect Pantry this week. I am in Texas in the USA pretty far away from your shores. I also have a penchant for cookbooks. I have them in the pantry, the kitchen, cabinets in the laundry, and probably some in boxes in the barn. I started a blog in February of this year. You are welcome to take a look and congrats on your 100th posting. http://fromtheheartoftexas.blogspot.com/

Elle said...

Happy 1st birthday to you!! This cake is a great way to celebrate, too. Moist & lots of flavor, plus you decorated it beautifully. Great photos!

Anonymous said...

Is that the "real" Dorie do you think? How exciting!
The cake looks lovely KJ - another one to add to my list from that amazing book.

violets said...

Hi Kelly-Jane I love that cake its so pretty, I keep meaning to get that book.

Congratulations on your blogs first birthday.


Vi xx

KJ said...

Congratulations!! That seems to me to be the perfect celebratory cake.

Pat said...

That is a very pretty cake there Kelly-Jane!!! Congrats too!!!

Deborah said...

Happy blog birthday!! I didn't realize we started our blogs so close together, mine is coming up at the end of this month!

Anonymous said...

Happy Blog Birthday and congrats on 100 posts.

The cake looks gorgeous. :)

George xx

Anonymous said...

Happy 1st Blogiversary and 100th post!

Susan from Food Blogga said...

A beautiful cake for a beautiful day!

Sandy said...

I'm so glad to have your posts to read again too!
Happy Anniversary & Happy Blog Birthday!

Cookie baker Lynn said...

Congratulations on the birthday, anniversary and milestone 100th post!

I've wanted to try that cake since I got Baking. I love that story and your cake looks wonderful.

Maggie said...

Happy 1st Birthday.
Pretty cake on a very pretty plate!

Gloria Baker said...

HAppy birthday, wonderful Cake, looks delicious! Gloria

ChichaJo said...

Happy blog birthday and congratulations on your 100th post! :)

Looks like a delicious cake to celebrate with!

Cheryl said...

Happy blog birthday!! What a great cake to celebrate the occasion.

Valerie Harrison (bellini) said...

We'll look forward to seeing what comes out of your kitchen in the next year as well. Congratulations!!

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pistachio said...

Happy Birthday Cookbook Queen!

What a fabulous cake, I feel like I really must get that book, lol.

hugs
pi xxx

Cynthia said...

Happy birthday! I like how the colour of the icing and the pink rose reflect the colour scheme of the blog.

Maggie said...

Hi Kelly - thank you for popping by and letting me know it was you who had won the Easter egg competition. Congragulations!

Maggie said...

Sorry about the spelling blunder.
CONGRATULATIONS!

Lis said...

Happy Birthday, 100th post and wedding anniversary, Kelly-Jane! :)

That cake looks too good for words!

xoxo

Kelly-Jane said...

Thank you to absolutely everyone for your good wishes, and this is a must make cake!

KJxx

julie said...

Happy birthday to your blog!
It's good to read you again :)

Susan said...

I've lost track of my blogging history, too...oh, dear - gotta bake a cake! Lovely plating of this, Kelly-Jane. Very, VERY pretty.
Best wishes on your 1st and 100th.
: }

Amanda at Little Foodies said...

Beautiful cake and so good to see you blogging again. Happy Blogday!

Paola Westbeek said...

Happy Birthday dear "Cooking the Books"! KJ, that cake looks fantastic... thanks to your advice, I also got the book! Came in yesterday and I'm already in love! WHAT a fantastically huge book!!

paola

kellypea said...

Yay! Happy Blogoversary to you! I'm writing mine up with our challenge for this month! Cheers to you for another great year ahead. Oh, and gorgeous looking cake. Very elegant!

Rosie said...

Congrats on a year K J! This is one superb looking cake and I adore those roses on top.

Anonymous said...

Good words.