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Don't miss Cleo's fun, multimedia post
"24 Hours with Clare Cosi"
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The eyes eat first!
Feast your eyes on a very rare sight. Pictured above is a Brooklyn Blackout Cake that is actually from Brooklyn. Why is it rare? Because my husband and I found one of the only bakeries in Brooklyn that still bakes and sells this cake.
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Ladybird Bakery, Park Slope, Brooklyn |
The original Brooklyn Blackout Cake was invented and sold by a chain of Brooklyn bakeries called Ebinger's, a beloved institution that no longer exists. When Ebinger's did exist (between 1894 and 1972), generations of Brooklynites grew up on their specialties, including Crumb Buns, Lemon Cupcakes, and the Othello, but none of those treats became more famous than the Blackout Cake.
One of Ebinger's bakeries in Brooklyn.
To see more Brooklyn memories,
click here. (Photo courtesy of SCREA.)
According to foodie historian Molly O'Neill, the median age of the "Ebinger's girls" was about 80, yet "they could slice and box a cake faster than a woman a quarter their age." (My own readers know *that* sounds familiar!)
"...three layers of devil's food cake sandwiching a dark chocolate pudding with chocolate frosting and sprinkled with chocolate cake crumbs."
Blackout?
Ebinger's created this cake during World War II. Because of its dark chocolate, nearly black appearance, it was named after the blackout drills performed by the Civilian Defense Corps.
Blackout drills are common in cities during wartime. In Brooklyn, where the navy yard regularly sent out battleships, the blackouts were necessary to prevent the ships from being silhouetted by the bright background of Brooklyn's lights.
Given the cake's historical attachment to strife, I thought it apropos to use it at the close of my Coffeehouse Mystery Murder by Mocha, when three generations of female characters undergo an intense period of worry.
All three are waiting to hear news about loved ones. Depending on how things turn out, Greenwich Village coffeehouse manager Clare Cosi, her daughter, Joy, and the girl's grandmother will either eat the cake to celebrate--or to smother their sorrows.
Given the cake's historical attachment to strife, I thought it apropos to use it at the close of my Coffeehouse Mystery Murder by Mocha, when three generations of female characters undergo an intense period of worry.

Which is it?
No spoiler here...
No spoiler here...
THE CAKE HUNT
To prepare my recipe post for this cake, I went on the hunt with the objective to taste an authentic Blackout Cake from a Brooklyn bakery, and I found a doozy...
This is a gourmet cake with four devil's food layers (Ebinger's had only three). Like Ebinger's, however, this version has the traditional chocolate fudge pudding in between the layers. The frosting is not pudding, however, but a decadent chocolate ganache.
The bakery holds to tradition with the chocolate cake crumbs pressed along the sides of the cake, but not the top. Ladybird smooths the ganache flat for a good reason. This cake is often ordered as a birthday or anniversary cake, and the bakery keeps the top flat for scripting best wishes in icing.
The bakery holds to tradition with the chocolate cake crumbs pressed along the sides of the cake, but not the top. Ladybird smooths the ganache flat for a good reason. This cake is often ordered as a birthday or anniversary cake, and the bakery keeps the top flat for scripting best wishes in icing.
Next week, I'll share the Blackout Cake recipe with you, along with my step-by-step photos. In the meantime, I hope you've enjoyed today's background on this legendary cake. In closing, I'm happy to share some of my "cake hunting" photos, as Marc and I ventured to Brooklyn to buy the cake that you see in today's photos...
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I'm also keeping the bag. You can see why...! |
Eat with joy!
~ Cleo Coyle, author of
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A Coffeehouse Mystery
A Barnes & Noble
"A satisfyingly
rich mystery." ~ Kirkus
Bestseller, Nationwide
(Nielsen Bookscan)
the Blackout Cake
plays an important role in my
Coffeehouse Mystery, Murder by Mocha,
now a bestseller in paperback.
The book's recipe section features many
recipes, including chocolate recipes!
To see some of them, click here.
Sigh. Looks delicious but complicated. I could never get it to turn out that way. Do they ship? Just a wishful hope.
ReplyDeleteI don't think they ship, but they are worth the trip!
DeleteThank you for joining in.
~ Cleo
That cake looks AMAZING! To funny about the box (I would keep it too), it is fun when little random things like that happen in the universe!
ReplyDeleteAlways amazed and surprised by life, but I guess that keeps us hopping!
DeleteThanks for stopping by.
~ Cleo
This cake looks amazing. So glad I discovered your site!
ReplyDeletePlease come back. You never know what surprises are in store.
Delete~ Cleo
This looks so yummy! I would love to sport that T-shirt.
ReplyDeleteThank you for stopping by. Come again next week for part two.
Delete~ Cleo
LOL on the box!! As soon as I saw it my laser sharp spelling error eyes honed in on that ;-) I loved the walk through Brooklyn and the history behind the cake. I'm one of those weird birds that doesn't particularly care for chocolate thought everyone else at Chez Phillips loves it! I will be sharing this "tour and lesson" tonight over dinner...and I am sure that Chef Connor will be attempting his own Brooklyn Blackout next week!
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing your world with us all.
nanc
And we'll all expect a full report on Connor's triumph. Eat with joy.
Delete~ Cleo
Oh my! I have had a raging sweet tooth for a few days. One of these cakes could definitely take care of that. If only I could actually get one...sigh.
ReplyDeleteThe elusive blackout cake will make another appearance on this very sit next week. Be there or be square!
Delete~ Cleo
Since I only live a few stops away, can I come on your next bakery tour? I gotta have one of these blackout cakes, it looks fabulous! I really enjoyed the history behind the cake and the bakery, but now I am dying for a piece! BTW, I caught the name on the box right away and thought it was funny too! Your kitty obviously has good taste since she/he likes the bag so much. . . Lol!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the chance to win the shirt, I hope it is me!
Oh, I'm sure you could show me a few bakeries, too! We're lucky we're in a genre that lets us indulge our sweet tooth as part of the job.
Delete~ Cleo
Mmmmm I have been craving chocolate cake and this one looks amazing! I can't wait to read this book. :-)
ReplyDeleteHope you love the cake, and the book. Be well, and thanks for coming by.
Delete~ Cleo
The cake looks and sounds DELICOUS. Chocolate cake is my favorite!!
ReplyDeleteThe Brooklyn Blackout Cake is the nuclear bomb of chocolate cakes. Eat with joy--and caution!
Delete~ Cleo
That cake looks amazing, but learning the history of it was even more so. Can't wait to see the step-by-step.
ReplyDeleteThank you, and we'll see you next week.
Delete~ Cleo
That cake looks gorgeous. Thanks for the link to old Brooklyn. I brought back good memories.
ReplyDeletepps..thanks for the shout-out about my blog. Looking forward to reading about Clare's day.
I gained five pounds just READING about this cake!!!!!! WOW!! I would love to win and I will most definitely tune in for the cake recipe!
ReplyDeleteI heard a loud noise a little while ago. It was my bathroom scale trying to flee the apartment!
Delete~ Cleo
What an impressive cake. I hope it tastes every bit as good as it looks! Yum!!
ReplyDelete~ Krista
Thanks, Krista. This is one amazing chocolate cake. I think the key word here is "decadent."
Delete~ Cleo
Wish I had a piece of that cake.... but will wait for the recipe next week!
ReplyDeleteAlicia
I wish I could send you one!
Delete~ Cleo
I noticed "Mike" on the box before reading the explanation and chuckled to myself.
ReplyDeleteThat cake looks so good that now I can't wait for the recipe.
Funny how the fictional and real worlds collide sometimes isn't it?
DeleteHope you enjoy the recipe, too.
~ Cleo
My chocolate loving husband will really enjoy that cake so I'm anxiously awaiting the recipe next week.
ReplyDeletesuefarrell.farrell@gmail.com
I don't think you or your husband will be disappointed. The only danger here is chocolate overdose.
Delete~ Cleo
YUM!!!
ReplyDeletesarah2323 at gmail dot com
Could not have said it better!
Delete~ Cleo
YUMMO!!!! Could you send me a piece through the computer right now!!!! I love reading your books and am reading a " Brew to a Kill" now.
ReplyDeleteMary
Ladylotion@msn.com
Enjoy Brew to a Kill. Perhaps in some future day we'll have computers that can send and receive food. That will spell the end of take out deliveries, and skinny people!
DeleteThanks for stopping by.
~ Cleo
That cake looks sooooooo good! My birthday is not until February, but I think your recipe is what I'm going to make for my cake :)
ReplyDeleteCome back in February and I'll sing you a virtual "Happy Birthday!"
Delete~ Cleo
I'm not supposed to be eating anything sweet this week! This picture made me want to get in the kitchen and bake......chocolate.....
ReplyDeleteChocolate is scary that way. Does it control our minds?
DeleteOh, well, I could think of worse fates!
~ Cleo
There is nothing like the New York bakeries. They have the best of everything. Blackout cake is one of my favorites. Entenman's used to make one that was pretty good, although not of a Brooklyn bakery quality. Cannoot wait for your Black out cupcake recipe to try.
ReplyDeleteI never knew Entenman's made a blackout cake, but I suppose it's history now. Thanks for sharing, and come back for that recipe.
Delete~ Cleo
The cake looks yummy!
ReplyDeleteKrista ladymluv@yahoo.com
In this case looks are definitely NOT deceiving. Thanks for dropping in.
Delete~ Cleo
My FIL grew up on Staten Island during the war- he has memories of blackout drills.
ReplyDeleteIf you have not already, check out MFK Fishers "How to Cook a Wolf" War time cooking dealing with rationing, blackouts and more, Fascinating read. Her "war cake" is not nearly as fabulous as yours.
Thanks for sharing those memories, and you are right--ration cooking is really a fascinating subject. Many of the foods I grew up with came out of World War II. My husband still makes one dish his father enjoyed in a B-17 wing of the Eighth Air Force. Creamed beef on toast is the polite name...His mother also made an icing out of Crisco, but let's not go there...
Delete~ Cleo
Now I want to head right off to the bakery and get that cake! LOL! I grew up in Brooklyn and remember blackout cake well. Thanks for the stroll down memory lane and the chance to win the shirt. I willbe following you tomorrow at Dru's and will be reading A Brew To A Kill!
ReplyDeleteFoodie memories are as much fun as food itself. Thank you for sharing yours. Enjoy Brew!
Delete~ Cleo
That cake looks amazing! Thank you for sharing it with us. I especially wanted to say thank you for sharing the origins of the cake as well. I has a feeling it was about the blackouts from WWII. Some day, hopefully soon I will get down to the city to eat our way through! Brew To a Kill was Fantastic and I cannot wait for the next book. I double checked and it's been per-ordered since March! :-)
ReplyDeleteSue Gilot
Guinnessgirl39@mac.com
Thanks for the kind words about Brew.
DeleteI grew up close to strategically important steel foundries. and heard stories about the local blackout drills from my parents and grandparents. It sounded scary, but in Brooklyn you could drown your worries in chocolate, at least.
~ Cleo
That is one beautiful cake. I feel like I gained a pound just looking at the photo - and I feel that way reading about the wonderful recipes you put in your books. Loved Murder by Mocha!
ReplyDeleteBeverly aka Booklady
Wow, I so love that you loved Murder by Mocha.
DeleteFYI: You should try LIVING with this cake if you want a calorie uptick. It seems to call to me, day and night...it's voice so dark and rich and deep...
~ Cleo
I've never heard of this cake before and love the story of it. I'm going to ask around and see if anyone knows about it. Would love to have some right about now.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your comment, and please do come on back and let us know if you find any blackout cake lovers/bakers out there. We'd all love to hear.
Delete~ Cleo
OMIGAWD IT'S TORTURE TO WAAAAAAAAIT!!!!
ReplyDeleteWow, that cake looks amazing. That's *just* the right amount of chocolate for me!
Because you can never, EVER have enough chocolate. Thank you for commenting, Wendy.
Delete~ Cleo
that looks sooo amazing! Loved reading the history of it too :)
ReplyDeleteFood history is nearly as fascinating as food itself--I say "nearly as fascinating" as I reach for a slice of blackout cake! Eat with joy.
Delete~ Cleo
That cake looks delicious. Can't wait for the recipe.
ReplyDeleteThink Carly Simon. "Anticipation..." It's only a short wait, I promise.
Delete~ Cleo
my boys will be happy for me to try and make this
ReplyDeleteYou'll have to come back and let me know how your boys like the blackout cake. Thank you so much for stopping by.
Delete~ Cleo
Thanks to everyone who left comments! I'll be back soon to reply to as many of you as I can...
ReplyDeleteIn the meantime, don't miss my new comment-to-win giveaway at Dru's Book Musings. Leave a comment on my post, and you could win a signed copy of A BREW TO A KILL and an NYPD Latte Cup. To visit me there, click here, and read with joy!
~ Cleo Coffeehouse Mystery.com
“Where coffee and crime are always brewing…”
Cleo Coyle on Twitter
Oh goodness!! That looks like heaven. I so need that cake, gimme please!!!
ReplyDeleteIf this were Star Trek , I'd have a slice beamed over to you.
Delete"Mr. Scott. Energize!"
~ Cleo
This cake looks fabulous! My hubby would love it - he's a chocoholic!
ReplyDeleteSue P.
suepete12(at)yahoo(dot)com
Your hubby is a wise, wise man. Thanks for stopping by.
Delete~ Cleo
I always enjoy posts with some interesting background about a food's orgin! I am now looking forward to the recipe!!!
ReplyDeleteAw, thanks, Lori! I hope you enjoy it. I know I'll enjoy having a second decadent chocolate cake in the fridge. Good thing it's the end of beach season. And, thanks to my deadlines, I haven't BEEN to the beach all summer. More chocolate cake, please. :)
DeleteNo kidding, I'm delighted you stopped by and I hope you enjoy next week's post, too.
Cheers, Coffeehouse Mystery.com
“Where coffee and crime are always brewing…”
Cleo Coyle on Twitter
Wow!! Now I am going to have to go bake brownies or something, to get a chocolate 'fix' before the recipe is revealed!! Looks like the perfect cake to serve my friends with coffee (of course) on a rainy afternoon!! Thanks so much for sharing! And the photographs are scrumptious!
ReplyDeleteThanks, K Mac. I know what you mean about the chocolate fix. I mean, I TOOK these photos and my mouth still waters when I look at them; and, yes, this cake tastes as good as it looks. The pudding sinks into the layers so it's a very rich, heavy cake--and it also keeps very well (in the fridge). Days later, it's still moist and chocolatey. OK, I'll stop now!
ReplyDelete~ Cleo Coffeehouse Mystery.com
“Where coffee and crime are always brewing…”
Cleo Coyle on Twitter
Who doesn't like chocolate especially after seeing this? Though just the looks of it could send you into a diabetic coma...lol :)
ReplyDelete