Monday, September 8, 2014

Chocolate is always a good thing...

Chocolate is always a good idea.  I made some quick bread this summer for the guys.  I made
 Chocolate Chip Raspberry Banana Bread.  One of my sons said to me, "Why put the bananas or raspberries in it?"  "Just make a chocolate bread."  This is a kid after my own heart.   Yeah I thought, why not just a chocolate bread?  This is the second recipe I have tried for a chocolate bread and although it is good I still haven't gotten it perfect yet.  

I also decided to really explore my chocolate fix and try a Black Chocolate Tea to go with the bread.  This tea is from the Tea and Spice Exchange.  It is a dessert tea and it was delicious with the pound cake.  The teacup is made by Gracie China.

I don't often use loose leaf tea but, it's wonderful and worth the effort to brew.  I made this right in my teacup with this little sun, moon, and stars infuser.

This is the Chocolate Pound Cake with a Chocolate Ganache.  It smelled amazing baking in the oven.  I am really starting to create a coffee house atmosphere in my house with the smells and the coffee and or tea brewing.  The college age sons have no complaints, just more suggestions.   It was really good but,I am still not satisfied with this recipe either.  I will keep searching for the perfect chocolate bread recipe.

Ingredients for the cake:
1 cup flour 
1 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup cocoa
2 ounces chocolate, chopped (I used Ghirardelli semi-sweet baking chocolate)
1/3 cup boiling water
1 cup butter, softened
1 1/4 cup sugar
5 eggs

Ingredients for chocolate ganache:
6 ounces chocolate, chopped
1/2 cup heavy whipping cream

Grease the 9 x 5 loaf pan.  
Preheat oven to 325 degrees F.  
In a bowl mix flour and salt.  
Place the chopped chocolate in a heat proof bowl and pour boiling water to melt. Set aside.
Mix the butter and the sugar until it's fluffy, add the chocolate and the cocoa and mix it well.
Put the eggs in one at a time and mix well.
Gradually add the flour and salt and stir in well.
Spread the batter into a prepared pan and tap gently to release any air bubbles.
Bake for 60 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. (Do not over bake it will come out dry.) 
Let it cool for 5 minutes and then turn out to completely cool on a wire rack.
Make the chocolate ganache melting the chocolate over a double boiler.  Whisk in the heavy cream until silky.  Spread over the cake.
Recipe slightly adapted from: OMG Chocolate Desserts    
Sherry
I will link this to:
  
Tea Time Tuesday at Rose Chintz Cottage 
A Return to Loveliness  at A Delightsome Life 
Tea Cup Tuesday at Martha's Favorites
Tea Cup Tuesday at Artful Affirmations
Tuesday Cuppa Tea at Antiques and Teacups 
Friends Sharing Tea at Bernideen's Tea Time Blog 
Rooted in Thyme Simple and Sweet Fridays
Wow Us Wednesday at Savvy Southern Style

Inspire Me Tuesday at A Stroll Thru Life
Tweak It Tuesday at Cozy Little House
Show and Tell Friday at My Romantic Home
Feathered Nest Friday at French Country Cottage
Say G'Day at Natasha in Oz
Cottage Style Party at Lavender Garden Cottage 
Share Your Cup Thursday at Have a Daily Cup of Mrs. Olsen
Your Going to Love it Tuesday At Kathe with an E
Project Inspire at Cupcakes and Crinoline
The Scoop at Confessions of a Plate Addict
Weekends are Fun Party at Oh My Heartsie Girl
Time Travel Tuesdays at Brambleberry Cottage

Wake Up Wednesday at Sew Crafty Angel

14 comments:

Our Hopeful Home said...

I can almost smell it from here! Yum! I am a big tea drinker and B.C. (before children) I always used to make loose tea in pretty china tea cups. Now I use tea bags in a big old mug! You can never go wrong with chocolate!
xo Kathleen

Catherine said...

This is exactly what my son would say. Leave out the fruit and just add the chocolate!
I love chocolate too so this looks right up my alley. It looks delicious to me; though I know what you mean when you want to get that perfect taste.
Blessings dear. Catherine

Sandi@ Rose Chintz Cottage said...

Sherry, I love chocolate anything and your bread looks terrific! Pretty teacup and the infuser is a cute one. Thanks for joining me for Tea Time and have a fabulous day.

Blessings,
Sandi

The Old Parsonage said...

Mmm... I want some. Or at least a chocolate fix! Leann

Beth in NEPA said...

You can't go wrong with chocolate!

Pura Vida said...

I'm not much of a chocolate craver, but this looks pretty great!

Deborah Montgomery said...

ooh . . . that teacup is lovely! and I'm with your son; just make it chocolate! the cake looks delicious, and this is the time of year when all those lovely smells from the kitchen start, as the weather cools. Yummy.

Winnie said...

Oh my that looks so delicious. I will give it a try soon as the weather is cooling finally to turn on my oven! I am loving your strainer! Love the pattern on it!

Martha's Favorites said...

Hi: I love that tea cup. I have one just like it. It is so dainty. The chocolate looks amazing. Have a wonderful week. Hugs, Martha

Tea in the Library said...

I can feel the sugar coursing through my veins now ... and me here with just a semi good for me fig newton!

Amy at Ms. Toody Goo Shoes said...

I've got drool on my keyboard from that cake! Yum!

Ivy, Phyllis and Me! said...

Good Morning Sherry, I agree whole heartedly... you can never have too much chocolate. Can you guess that I am a chocolate lover.
Your tea cup and saucer is so very pretty, and perfect to enjoy a nice cup of tea..... and of course a lovely slice of chocolate cake to go with the tea.
Best Wishes to you.
Daphne

Antiques And Teacups said...

Chocolate is a good thing...and I'm glad your tea was good as well. A friend gave me some I wasn't too fond of, but it was a different maker. The cake looks wonderful! Thanks for linking to Tuesday Cuppa Tea!
Ruth

Have a Daily Cup of Mrs. Olson said...

Chocolate bread and chocolate tea. Sounds like you got your chocolate fix. lol! Love your pretty teacup! Thanks for sharing with SYC.
hugs,
Jann