S.Kenney 2011 |
Easter brings so many special memories to mind. When my children were 3 and 5, we decided to take a trip to Italy during the Easter holiday. I know what many of you are saying... Italy? TransAtlantic flight? With 2 toddlers?
I know. And...Guess what...
S.Kenney 2011 |
We went on this trip to Italy with 2 toddlers and my IN-LAWS!
S.Kenney 2011 |
It was all fabulous. We had a wonderful trip. It was hectic. It was crazy at times. Finding diapers between 2:00pm and 4:00pm in the afternoon was an interesting predicament on one day. All stores close for "nap time"!
S.Kenney 2011 |
We stayed on a family run olive oil farm in Tarvarnelle Val di Pesa. The farm is named "Sovigliano". We were actually only 20 minutes from Florence but it felt like everything you imagine the Italian countryside should look like. Outside our shuttered windows grew the largest rosemary bushes I had ever seen.
S.Kenney 2011 |
So many memories. But, one of our fondest is when we went to the local church of this tiniest of tiny Italian villages for Easter Sunday mass. The owners of our farm told us to listen for the church bells and begin walking in that direction to find the location.
Seriously?
Incredible. The bells were beautiful. We started walking...
S.Kenney 2011 |
I had dressed my little toddlers in their carefully thought-out Easter attire. Madeleine had a pale pink linen dress with white crocheted collar (huge pink bow in her hair of course). Riley, I dressed in a pale lemon linen sailor jumper with little canvas white tennis shoes. (He even had a yellow sailor cap)
**I must interrupt this visit to my memories of Easter past for a moment. I just have to comment on these chocolate curls. The incredible blog "Sprinkle Bakes" posted an absolutely gorgeous cheesecake that she made for The Cheesecake Factory. Yes, The Cheesecake Factory. She is that good...and her photography is incredible. She made these chocolate curls and posted a video "tutorial". I loved it. I had to try it. So, these are my chocolate curls.
...Back to small Italian village reminiscing...
We had been encouraged by our farm hosts to purchase little woven baskets for the children, line them with white linen napkins, and fill them with simply decorated boiled eggs. During mass on Easter, the children are invited to walk up to the altar and place their baskets there to be blessed. With some prodding and coaxing, we hoped that our wee ones would participate in this little procession.
What we weren't prepared for, however, was to undoubtedly become the town spectacle the minute we entered the tiny chapel. There we were: My in-laws, husband, 2 toddlers and me! We were dressed in our typical Easter pastel outfits just like our children.
S.Kenney 2011 |
No kidding when I say this...every pair of eyes was turned on us as we attempted to look as casual as possible filing into an empty pew. It was evident within minutes that our dress was making us into quite the local spectacle. The other little children were completely turned around in their seats staring open-eyed at my children.
S.Kenney 2011 |
It was at this moment that I discreetly took off my son's sailor cap and tucked it into my purse.
That must be it...
the sailor cap was too much and it was drawing attention.
My colorful floral silk scarf now felt rather garish and loud. My husband's yellow Ralph Lauren button-down even seemed too bright.
S.Kenney 2011 |
After sweeping our eyes over the local dress on this Easter Sunday, we couldn't help but notice that Americans (that would be...us) definitely dress brighter and a bit...um... "louder" than do the Italians. The Italian people in that little chapel dressed beautifully, don't get me wrong. I'm not being insulting. Honest! Its just one of those wonderful cultural opportunities to truly notice the differences between cultural styles. Their dress was more somber, quiet, natural, and fresh. I loved it.
S.Kenney 2011 |
Everything about Italy was somber, fresh, beautiful and under-stated. Try as we might, there was no way we were going to slip in anywhere and not be undoubtedly cast as Americans.
We dubbed our children the "lolli-pop" kids the rest of the trip. We had many good laughs remembering the shy glances as well as the overt stares that we received traveling through this stunning country with my Gymboree attired "lolli-pops".
The Lollipop Kids chasing pigeons in Florence, Italy |
Alas...no sailor cap |
Aren't these experiences, and chuckles, and memories what make traveling the world so wonderful? Easter will always be filled with these adorable memories for our family.
So, about this cake? Do you think its a tad bit over the top? I'm thinking the majority will say "YES". Oh dear, so American.
So sugary.
So chocolate-y.
So Froo-Froo!
Ingredients
For The Cake
Unsalted butter, room temperature, for pans
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
2 1/2 cups granulated sugar
1 1/4 cups unsweetened Dutch-process cocoa powder, plus more for pans
2 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
1 1/4 teaspoons baking powder
1 1/4 teaspoons salt
2 large eggs, plus 1 large egg yolk
1 1/4 cups buttermilk
3/4 cup warm water
1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1/2 cup dark rum
1 1/4 teaspoons vanilla extract
For The Frosting
4 1/2 cups confectioners' sugar
1/2 cup unsweetened Dutch-process cocoa powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
12 ounces cream cheese, room temperature
1 1/2 sticks (3/4 cup) unsalted butter, room temperature
18 ounces bittersweet chocolate, melted
1 1/2 cups sour cream
For The Garnish
1 thick 16-ounce block bittersweet chocolate, room temperature
Confectioners' sugar, for dusting (optional)
Phyllo nest
Small candy-coated chocolate eggs
For The Nest
2 teaspoons unsalted butter, melted, plus more for mold
1/2 ounce ( 1/2 cup) kataifi (a type of phyllo), thawed (Snippet's note: I used regular phyllo dough and cut it in thin strips. I couldn't find this kataifi variety)
Cocoa powder, for dusting
Directions:
Make the nest: Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Lightly brush a 1/3-cup-capacity round silicone mold with butter. In a bowl, gently toss butter and kataifi to combine. (Snippet's note: butter made my phyllo dough all soggy so I just left it out...)
Lift kataifi out of bowl, gently stretching strands to form a loose rope. Lay 1 end in the cupped fingers of 1 hand. Gently spiral rope to shape into a nest.
Fit nest into mold, pulling up edges to rest over rim. Place on a baking sheet. Bake until golden brown, 25 to 30 minutes. Let cool completely in mold on a wire rack. Unmold. Dust with cocoa.
Make the cake: Butter two 10-by-2-inch round cake pans. Line with parchment cut to fit, and butter parchment. Dust with cocoa, and tap out excess. Sift flour, sugar, cocoa, baking soda, baking powder, and salt into the bowl of a mixer. Add remaining ingredients. Mix on low speed until smooth, about 3 minutes. Divide batter among prepared pans.
Bake, rotating pans halfway through, until a toothpick inserted into centers of cakes comes out clean, about 35 minutes. Let cool in pans on wire racks for 45 minutes. Run a knife around edges of cakes to loosen, and turn onto racks. Remove parchment, turn cakes right side up, and let cool completely.
Make the frosting: Sift confectioners' sugar, cocoa, and salt into a bowl. In the bowl of a mixer, beat cream cheese and butter on medium-high speed until fluffy, about 4 minutes. Reduce speed to low. Gradually add sugar mixture, beating until combined. Beat in melted chocolate and sour cream until combined.
Make the garnish: Using a vegetable peeler, scrape chocolate at a 45-degree angle. Using a spatula, transfer curls to a parchment-lined baking sheet. Cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes (or up to 4 days). (Snippet's Note: I used the chocolate curls found on SprinkleBakes's blog.)
To assemble: Using a serrated knife, trim tops of cakes to create level surfaces. Reserve trimmings. Place 1 cake, cut side up, on a cake stand. Spread 2 cups frosting over top. Top with remaining cake, cut side up. (Snippet's note: My cakes were unbelievably flat. So I crushed chocolate graham crackers for the top) Spread remaining frosting over top and sides. Finely grind cake trimmings in a food processor. Sprinkle crumbs over top of cake.
Using tweezers, gently press chocolate curls to sides of cake. Dust top with confectioners' sugar if desired. Decorate with nest, chocolate eggs, and flowers. (Snippet's Note: Get one big glass of milk because this is one killer chocolate cake!!)
how can a cake be over the top!!!! i loved your story, you really captured the experience perfectly, its wonderful that you can experience another culture in such a real way :) and i love your curls and your cake.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed the story and still can't keep my eyes off the pictures! What a beautiful cake!
ReplyDeleteI love seeing pics of the kiddos when they were little!!! And just curious, um, does Riley know about his picture on the published web???!!! I can just imagine his teenage reaction. :-)
ReplyDeleteAnd the cake - well, I just can't even begin to comment. You are amazing. :-)
So beautiful! You are such a talented baker. Those last pictures are so darling.
ReplyDeleteThis was such an enjoyable post. I loved tour photos, memories and that gorgeous cake. I'm new to your blog and have spent some additional time browsing through your earlier entries. I'm so glad I did that. I really like the food and recipes you feature here and I'll definitely be back. Have a great day. Blessings...Mary
ReplyDeleteThat cake looks like something I would love to eat. Your food photography is awesome - I wish I could take such beautiful photos.
ReplyDeleteAh yes, Italains. Sometimes when I am walking around in Valletta (our capital city) I catch a glimpse of a couple and I immediately recognise them as Italian, not because of their looks, because Italians and Maltese blend in very well, but the way they dress is impeccable and I can recognise it from a mile away :) So I think anyone will look differently dressed compared to Italians.
Love the photos and this cake looks so scrumptious!
ReplyDeleteI love that cake and it's not over the top. That story of your trip is so cute. I guess we are different.
ReplyDeleteThis easter cake is BEAUITFUL! Gorgeous kids you have :)
ReplyDeleteYour cake is stunning! Are you taking orders :)
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely story! Some of our favorite family anecdotes come from when we travel. Your photographs are just adorable!
ReplyDeletewhat a lovely post and memories! Your cake is beautiful and I can see why it got into the top 9, congrats. Have a wonderful weekend.
ReplyDeleteYour kids are adorable and your Italian holiday sounds like it was a little slice of heaven (apart from daiper incident). What a fantastic cake. I am going to have to attempt those chocolate curls.
ReplyDeleteGorgeous cake!! You are very talented! I so enjoyed your Easter memories..what a darling story!
ReplyDeleteThat's more cake than I'll ever have the patience to make but I bet it was worth every minute! Loved your story and am so pleased you put in those pictures of the kids in their Easter outfits - priceless!
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely story and lovely memories. Love the cake too!
ReplyDeleteHello Sarah!
ReplyDeleteThat is an amazing cake you have here...congrats on making it to the Top 9!!This is my first time here and I found your space so warm and comforting...absolutely loved being here!
I'm running an event at my place based on bread - I see you have some lovely bread recipes here so do take a peek sometime and link up if you wish:)
Cheers,
Wit,wok&wisdom
You have a beautiful corner here,your writing style is as charming and whimsical as your creations. Very refreshing and what great observations on cultural differences that separate us and unite us, all over the world.
ReplyDeleteSo happy to meet you.
chow! Devaki @ weavethousandflavors
I think the word 'gorgeous' is a serious understatement when describing your site.
ReplyDeleteThis cake is beautiful and festive! Your photos are beautiful too!
xx,
Tammy
Oh what a sweet and funny story! I imagine the locals still sit around a table every easter and reminisce about the time the Americans came to the Sunday Service :)
ReplyDeleteAnd there are no words to describe that cake. And the photography of it. Magazine-worthy. I think i put on a couple of kilograms just lookking at it! :)
PS - Hope your daughter's exam went well xx
You are a true master of culinary creation. And - what a wonderful story to go with it all!!!
ReplyDeleteThis is no longer a cake but a piece of art! So stunning! On top of that your post is a treat to read!...and a bit late congrats with yesterday's top 9 :)
ReplyDeleteWhat a gorgeous cake you made !!!! Indeed a piece of art, I love how springy it looks. And the story is so sweet and funny :-)
ReplyDeleteHad a laugh with your experience in Italy. Clothes in the closets only have 3 colors. Black, gray & white. :-) Your story was wonderful to read. This cake is so beautiful and the same goes to your pictures. I love your site. I will go back once in a while when I can squeeze some time off blogging, home duties & kids.
ReplyDeleteI love the decorations on this cake. Especially the flowers. Beautiful post and story too!
ReplyDeleteThis great! I am having a special sunday Easter Linky buffet Any Easter recipe accepted no limit to what you like to submit. I am taking submissions till saturday, your welcome to post this! http://deedeesdelights.blogspot.com/p/special-easter-sunday-buffet.html
ReplyDeleteWell, that cake looks scrumptious! And you are adorable....along with your story telling!
ReplyDeleteI don't know what to say..I am so overflowing with goodness, and happy thoughts...I am so glad I visited your blog today. You are just delightful, Sarah. I could seriously spend a huge chunk of my day nestled up to my computer screen, reading your words and taking in all of this goodness. I wish I had more time! I am going to come back and read some more a little later.
ReplyDeleteThat chocolate cake is stirring up a bit of a craving right now. I just might have to find myself a cupcake today! :) :) :)
AMAZING!!! It's so beuatiful and looks delicious!
ReplyDelete