Mystery Lovers' Kitchen: It's #Catweek with #Cats & a Chocolate Cake #Recipe for humans

Wednesday, October 22, 2014

It's #Catweek with #Cats & a Chocolate Cake #Recipe for humans

It's Cat Week!

Tigger, from Cookbook Nook Mysteries
Fictional Ginger Cat
I live in Crystal Cove
I like other cats, like to play a lot! Like to pounce and trounce.
Like long walks on the beach.
I am a rescue who has the distinct memory of falling off a truck.

To hear me meow, click here

Rags from Cheese Shop Mysteries
Fictional Ragdoll
I live in Providence, Ohio
I like dogs and walks on a leash, and cheese!
I am a rescue who isn't very fond of being left alone outside.

To hear me purr, click here.

Sparky from Encino.
Real.
Dog. To be specific, Golden Doodle.
Somewhat bummed that the focus today is on cats! I like it to be all about me.
When is it dog week?
This picture was taken right after a walk, hence the leash. I love my walks.
Yes, I say hence. My mom is a writer and teaches me all sorts of big words.
I love going to day care and socializing with other dogs, big or small.
Would probably love cats if introduced to one.
Not fond of Mommy leaving the house...ever!

From Tigger:

Have you ever been to a cat parade? In Crystal Cove, the town featured in the Cookbook Nook STIRRING THE PLOT, is the Black Cat Parade. Cats only. A canine event will occur later in the year. Lots of people participate. There are booths that feature cat foods--I particularly like the tuna treats. There are human foods, as well. I saw one little girl with something pink and frothy. It stuck to her lips and nose. Her mother was trying to get some of it out of her long blonde curls. Some other kids had popcorn balls that they'd gotten at the Cookbook Nook. Katie made them. The kids were purring with delight.
Mysteries, every Halloween there are fun events. One of them, which is featured in the latest story,

TIGGER, in costume.

In addition, there's a costume contest. Jenna, my human, made me an adorable hat. She's pretty good with needle and thread. I won't win the contest. There are a number of gorgeous cats. You know the kinds I mean, gorgeous, but stuck up. They couldn't be bothered talking to me, a rescue cat, but I don't care. As long as Jenna is holding me, I'm cool.

In honor of black cats...my writer--Daryl--is offering something spooky dark for a treat...dark as in chocolate! I told her cake wasn't spooky. She agreed but told me it was decadently delicious! For humans only.

I suggested she make something with tuna. She was fresh out, but promised next year she'd make me a tuna quiche. In fact, she liked the idea so much, she just ran off to the store so she could whip me up a pie. Yummm!

From Stirring the Plot

French Silk Fudge Cake

(ala Jenna, ala Katie)

(serves 4-8)

1 (3.5 to 4 ounce) bittersweet chocolate bar, chopped

1 ½ squares (1 ounce) unsweetened chocolate, chopped

5 tablespoons unsalted butter

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1 ½ teaspoons coffee

2 eggs

1 egg yolk

3/4 cup white sugar

1/8 teaspoon salt

3 tablespoons flour (*may use gluten-free flour plus 1/8 teaspoon xanthan gum)

1/2 of a 3.5 to 4 ounce bittersweet chocolate bar broken into ½-inch pieces

If desired: whipped cream or frosting.

Note: I used Ghirardelli 72% dark chocolate instead of bittersweet chocolate.

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Grease 4 mini-bundt cake cups.

Please 1 chopped bar of bittersweet chocolate, unsweetened chocolate, and butter in a microwave-safe bowl. Place bowl in microwave and cook on low power until the butter has melted and the chocolate is soft, about 2 to 3 minutes. Stir often to avoid burning the mixture.

In a mixing bowl, whisk cinnamon, coffee, eggs, egg yolk, sugar, and salt until combined. Stir in the flour. Mix in the chocolate mixture. Stir until smooth. Add the ½ bar of bittersweet chocolate that has been broken into ½-inch pieces. Spoon the batter in the prepared bundt cake cups. Fill about ¾ full.

Bake for about 15-18 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in the cake comes out with “streaks’ of thick batter. The tops of the cakes will be nearly firm. Remove from the oven and cool in the pan for 5 -10 minutes. Serve warm…or wait 20 minutes and serve at room temperature with whipped cream squirted into the center of the bundt shape.

Note: If you want to frost this cake, consider baking it in cupcakes tins or in a 9-inch springform pan lined with parchment paper. Cook about 30-35 minutes.

Note: Dessert, for adults only.

Cats and/or Dogs may watch human eat...

PS From Daryl aka Avery: I had cats growing up. Black cats named Inky and Blackie (not very original, I know), but I loved those cats. They were independent, feisty, and they owned the neighborhood. When I got married, however, my husband couldn't have cats around, so over the years, we have had dogs. When it's dog week, I'll share all those pictures.

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