Thursday, July 2, 2009

The Cake of All Cakes

A dear old friend of mine (no, she's not old, I've just known her since kindergarten!) recently had a birthday. When I found out she was going to make her own cake, I had to put an end to that! It took a day to convince her, but she finally relented. Now she didn't just want any ol' cake, she had her eyes set on a cake from Sky High: Irresistable Triple-Layer Cakes. I guess it's my fault. I was the one who pointed her in the direction of Deb's site- Smitten Kitchen, where she had posted the recipe for a Chocolate Peanut Butter Cake.


I was a little nervous, and had to borrow a cake pan (I only have 2!), but I did a test run for some substitutions and couldn't have been happier with the results (as was my lab :)). Instead of sour cream I used fat free greek yogurt. I also used a majority of WW pastry flour, as I ran out of white flour. Since oil separation is bad for frosting, I went with a jar of Skippy Natural. The last thing I wasn't sure would work, but it totally held up-- Smart Balance 50/50 sticks and Nufatchel (instead of full-fat cream cheese) in the frosting. Score! I also added extra pb to the ganache (prob 2T), since the bday girl and I couldn't taste the pb :)

The sour cream/greek yogurt cake was incredibly moist and delicious. I baked these 2 days ahead and froze until the morning of assembly. The peanut butter cream cheese frosting? No words, my friends, no words. Just make it. I also did this 2 days ahead, kept in the fridge. Top it off with a dark chocolate- pb ganache (made on site, at time of assembly)-- heaven.

Not to toot my own horn, but it came out incredible. I should really go toot Alisa, Peter and Tina's horns, cause this one was outta da pahk (odd to type with a boston accent)! Rave reviews all around as far as I know :)

Happy Birthday Rebecca!!

38 comments:

  1. Hello my my little fruit whore. :)

    The cake looks amazing...Did you know that extra PB cancels out sugar?

    Happy Birthday Rebecca!!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  2. That looks like pure bliss. And yo made it healthier (for cake, of course). :)

    ReplyDelete
  3. WOW..that looks incredible!!! IM craving now!

    ReplyDelete
  4. I got some of Bex's leftovers and I can indeed confirm that this cake is delicious. If she hadn't told me about your healthy substitutions I would have never known. Sooo good.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Oh. my. god. I think I died and went to heaven. PB + chocolate = ecstasy.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Swooooon. That cake looks phenomenal! Hmmm... are any of my friends having birthdays soon?

    ReplyDelete
  7. WHAT A CAKE!!! Go toot that horn loud and clear, girl :-)

    ReplyDelete
  8. This is heavenly!! The ganache on top is a nice touch!

    ReplyDelete
  9. I love that your made the recipe healthier and it looks AMAZING! What a birthday cake. Lucky gal

    ReplyDelete
  10. What an amazing looking cake! Peanut butter+chocolate+cake=pure happiness. What a way to bring in a birthday!

    ... I wish mine were coming up. I'm going to have to think of a different excuse to make it :)

    ReplyDelete
  11. Wow, what an incredible cake! I love that you lightened it up too! It looks perfect :)

    ReplyDelete
  12. What a fabulous cake! I bet your friend was glad she let you make it for her...

    ReplyDelete
  13. Happy birthday to your friend Rebecca!! What a wonderful and delicious cake to have for birthday~

    Ohhhh, peanut butter cream cheese frosting. That's irresistible!

    ReplyDelete
  14. Looks sick. Haha.
    Can you come over for my bday? :)

    ReplyDelete
  15. You are absolutely entitled to toot your own horn! It sure does look FANTASTIC!!!

    ReplyDelete
  16. Ooo, that cake does look heavenly! Happy birthday to your friend!

    ReplyDelete
  17. That cake looks amazing. I'm always afraid of layered cakes; they tend to slide on me. Pb + chocolate = my fave combo!

    ReplyDelete
  18. GORGEOUS!!!!! I'm scared to attempt.

    ReplyDelete
  19. The cake looks sooo yummy. I can smell it here. lol!

    ReplyDelete
  20. Wow, that looks like on fancy schmanzy cake! Beautiful job!

    ReplyDelete
  21. LOVE THE PIC OF YOU!!

    we dont get enough of that up in herre.

    and as far as the cake? Im thinking we dont get enough of THAT up in HERRE.

    have a great 4th!

    ReplyDelete
  22. Wow, that looks amazing!! And so much healthier than the original!! I am a sucker for anything peanut-buttery. Yumm!

    Sues

    ReplyDelete
  23. I may have drooled on my key board!!! That cake looks amazing :)

    ReplyDelete
  24. Nice job. Dare I say, it even sounds healthier with your substitutions.

    ReplyDelete
  25. Ooh you should post your updated recipe with the substitutions!

    ReplyDelete
  26. Nice job in the substitutions and props for it coming out well. The cake looks delicious, and I like how the ganache just drips down the side.

    ReplyDelete
  27. Great job my lab friend! I like the stand in subs you did, and love PB :)

    And toot your horn, I say. Go on the top of the roof, and let the world know. Just be careful, because then you'll be busy making a lot of bday cakes for everyone :)

    ReplyDelete
  28. that cake looks outrageously good. i have that book but haven't tried it out yet.

    ReplyDelete
  29. That cake looks amazing! Thanks for the tips on the healthy substitutions :)

    ReplyDelete
  30. This cake looks professional! I am fanatical about PB and would definitely love this. Your friend must have been so pleased.

    ReplyDelete
  31. You are the coolest, my friend. A scientist AND a baker of three-layer cakes? I'm blown away.

    By the way, you have one lucky lab. I would be the first in line to taste-test your trial runs!

    ReplyDelete
  32. What a beautiful cake!! I love the layers and frosting! I have no doubt that is delicious!

    ReplyDelete
  33. Wow, that looks like one killer cake! And such a great flavor combination, too.

    ReplyDelete
  34. Wow it sure looks and sounds irresistable!

    ReplyDelete
  35. I made this too! That cake is amazing. Definitely gets rave reviews. Yours looks delish!!

    ReplyDelete