Tuesday, October 7, 2008

TWD: Caramel Peanut Topped Brownie Cake

cakecarameltoppedbrownie (2)

I've decided to make the most of my Monday and Wednesday mornings before classes and spend it baking. Not only do I get to start the day with something yummy, but also with something I love doing! Instead of waiting until the last minute like last week, I started on the caramel topped peanut cake on Wednesday morning so I could bring it to school. This was really exciting because I'm always talking about my baking, but never actually shared (other than to family or neighbours) because I am afraid it's not good enough and would like to be spared the embarassment. After several rounds of TWD, I would have to say that my confidence has definitely improved.

I didn't have peanuts, so I stirred in cashews into my first non-soupy caramal sauce. I made a cupcake style version of the full recipe (that's right, I actually made the full recipe) and was anticipating with great excitment as I watched the cake rise in the oven (yes, I actually do that). Something about seeing the batter transform from a liquidy smooth batter into an actual cake makes me feel good. Anyway, despite my high hopes, something must have gone terribly wrong because these did not taste right. First, the texture was weird (springy and chewier than my ususal chocolate cakes) and the flavour was off. It had the slightest soapy aftertaste and no chocolate flavour. Could it be that I've been so used to halving my recipes that I halved the chocolate without knowing? I have no idea what went wrong, but with the clock ticking and batter still left in the bowl, I had to either bake and pray (secretly hoping that somehow only the batter on the top was messed up) or dump it out.

cakecarameltoppedbrownie

So what do you do when you're left with a chocolate batter that tastes like a regular cake with a hint of chocolate flavour? You add cocoa powder. There was no way I could incorporate cocoa without over mixing so I decided to turn the brownie cake into a cookie. Cookies seem to be a little more forgiving to overmixing. Plus, if anyone askes, these are supposed to be chewy cookies! Suprisingly, the cookie version turned out a lot better, but instead of leaving it there, I decided to turn them into whoppie pies! By the time I was all finished, it was running late so I had to leave without taking pictures of my completed cookie sandwiches. I got home and was left with nothing, not even a half whoppie pie to snap at! Overall, a not so good TWD turned out to be a lot of fun especially with the tranformation of the original brownie cake turned cookie turned whoppie pie.

cakecarameltoppedbrownie (3)

So these didn't exactly have the height of a normal whoppie pie with the extreme flattness of them.

Thanks to Tammy of Wee treats by Tammy for choosing this recipe, which can be found on her blog and in Dorie Greenspan's Baking: From my Home to Yours. Don't forget to checkout the TWD Blogroll!

35 comments:

  1. You are so creative! I love the idea of the cupcakes instead as they wouldn't be overwhelming with sweetness. These look great!

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  2. I love the cupcakes! So sorry they didn't turn out the way you wanted. The cookies are an adorable idea!
    Clara @ iheartfood4thought

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  3. Cupcakes would have been adorable, too bad they didn't turn out quite right. The whoopie pie idea, however, is genius. Genius, I tell you.

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  4. Even if they didn't turn out quite how you expected, they sound great! Good for you for sticking with it...I would have gotten frustrated and given up!

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  5. I love how you rose to the occasion and salvaged the batter! I would have given up and thrown it away. The whoopie pie is such a great idea -- I bet they were better than the original (and lots more fun). Brilliant!

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  6. Good save, Steph! Do you think it tasted soapy because of the baking powder?

    I love how the cookies look, and the caramel topping looks amazing but too evil to contemplate until I can drop a couple of pounds. Sulk.

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  7. LOVE the cupcake idea! Looks fantastic!

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  8. Love your cashew substitution, AND your take on the entire TWD challenge - yum!!!

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  9. Too bad your cake/cupcakes didn't turn out like you wanted.... But they're still very cute!!

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  10. Very innovative! Anything that tastes good with more creamy goodness in between sounds fine to me. I like the cupcake version. About my caramel...yes, I did let it bubble. But that's when it really started to start getting solid. Maybe I was on my way to something and never even knew it. I'm going to give it another shot.

    By the way~how are you? Haven't heard much from you lately and I'm guessing you've been busy! Take care.

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  11. Wow, there's some quick thinking there Steph-aroo. We're talking World Series type saves :)

    I like you ideas for the cookies, and then even more with the whoopie pies. Funny how when you plan to bring something to school, small hiccups happen. But hey your a baker, and rise to challenges like cakes in the oven :)

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  12. You did a great job, you took something that didn't quite turn out properly and fixed it. Whoopie pies sound great!

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  13. What adorable little cupcakes!

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  14. I never would have thought to turn the cake batter into cookies. Yay for saving batter gone wrong!

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  15. The cookies are so clever - and I always think cookies are better to snack on! Very creative :) x

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  16. I'm sorry too that the cupcakes weren't quite right because they look wonderful! That was a great idea.

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  17. I love how you turned these into cookies!

    I second the baking soda as a possible suspect for the soapy aftertaste. I actually used half baking soda and half baking powder, though I'm not sure if it really helped.

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  18. Very nice... the recipe was absolutely perfect for turning it into cupcakes!
    Great idea... great pics... great job! LOL

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  19. I love your smaller portions on this one. Very nice way to adapt the recipe!

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  20. How adorable! Love them! What a great twist on the cake recipe!

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  21. Oh darn- I don't know why they didn't turn out. They look so good, especially with the cashews. I'm glad the cookies were better!

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  22. OH! I want those cookies!!! And the cupcake is amazing looking. What a treat!

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  23. Cupcakes and cookies. Happened to me once. Mixed the frosting with a cake that fell apart and turned it into some great cookies. Cupcakes are like mini cakes. Fun to make and great to eat. Maybe next time it will be better. Cookies look great.

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  24. cute little cupcakes! thanks for making my pick

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  25. Hey steph
    loved your post on the tranformation of the brownie cake turned cookie into the whoppie pie....but your know...i admire your confidence and your passion..thats waht matters in the long run....

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  26. I am really impressed with your quick thinking and creativity! Good work!

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  27. simply amazing!!! hats off to you for brilliant idea... great fix... :)

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  28. How inventive of you! I'll bet those whoopie pies were outta this world.

    Nice job!

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  29. Hi Steph!!

    Aww, your comment made me smile, on my my recent post :0) Hope all is well, and that you're not feeling swamped!! Stay strong!! If you need any extra support, I'm here for you.

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  30. I like the cupcake version! Great idea for the cookies.

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  31. What a transformation! Great creativity!

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  32. Love Love Love when what looks like it could have been a slip-up turns into a whole new success. Way to Go! That is creative. Would love to see your whoopie pies next time, yum.

    Thanks for stopping by for a visit
    AmyRuth

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  33. WOW.... very creative... great work. I love the topping... YUM.
    Great blog and consider me a regular now..

    zesty

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