“You have to have the bad days in order to be able to recognize the good ones.”
That is one of my dad’s favorite phrases…and boy, let’s just say I will really be able to recognize a good one when it comes around. Life has thrown a few little thumbtacks and bumps my way and so I am a little scatter brained lately. And with that I have been extremely bad about getting back to people who emailed me or who asked me a question on my blog. Sorry, I am a little self absorbed right now and might be for a little bit longer.
When I am out of sorts, baking always calms me…and I have done a lot of baking lately. After the evil crepe debacle I wanted something that if I was blindfolded would turn out well…I of course turned to Dorie Greenspan. Poor Dorie has been a little neglected lately in the food blogging world. There was a time(right after the release of her beloved Baking: From My Home to Yours) that food bloggers everywhere were singing her praises. It’s not that she is not loved, I just had to move on for a little while, as my other cookbooks were starting to get jealous…and well a jealous cookbook is not a pretty sight. The cool thing is that Dorie now has her own blog too. I’m sure it has been up for awhile and I have been in a fog but it’s nice to know it is there.
I chose a simple cake that I changed just a little. It was suppose to be a marble cake but I was really just going for a two toned cake…I got lazy about the swirling. There were a couple side suggestions and I took half of one by adding white chocolate to one half of the batter. The other half I chose to add Bailey’s Irish Cream to the chocolate portion…yum. I’ve been kind of on a Bailey’s kick in a way. I made a mocha milkshake and put some Bailey’s and Kahlua in it…and the Sabres won(if you know my superstitions you know where this is going)…so I will be drinking them until the playoff run is over. Oh my, what a thing to have to drink every other day.
Just like all of Dorie’s other cakes I have tried, this was nice and moist and just needed a little Bailey’s scented whipped cream and it was good to go.
I’m hoping that my life curve ball will be straightening out soon and I can return back to my less scatter brained self…until then, again I apologize if I seem like I am blowing you off.
White Chocolate Irish Cream Marbled Loaf Cake
2 cups plus 2 TBSP all purpose flour
1 ¼ tsp baking powder
½ tsp salt
1 ½ sticks unsalted butter
1 cup sugar
4 large eggs
½ tsp vanilla extract
½ cup whole milk
4 oz white chocolate, melted and cooled
3 TBSP Bailey’s Irish Cream
3 TBSP cocoa powder
Preheat oven to 325F.
Whisk together flour, baking powder and salt.
Working with a standing mixer, preferably fitted with a paddle attachment, or with a hand mixer in a large bowl, beat the butter on medium speed until smooth, about 3 minutes. Add the sugar and beat for another 2-3 minutes. Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Don’t be concerned if the batter curdles and stays curdled-it will be fine. Beat in vanilla. Reduce the mixer speed to low and alternatively add the flour mixture in 3 additional and the milk in 2(being and end with the dry ingredients), mixing only until each addition is incorporated.
Divide the batter in half. Stir 4 ounces of melted white chocolate into the batter and mix until well incorporated. Take the other half of the batter and add 3 TBSP of Bailey’s and 3TBSP of cocoa powder. Place the chocolate portion into the pan(8 ½-x-4 ½-x-2 ½ inch loaf pan greased and floured) first, followed by the white chocolate batter. At this point you could marble the cake…I was lazy and did not.
Bake cake for 1 hour and 20-30 minutes(mine took 1 hour 20 minutes), or until a thin knife inserted deep into the center comes out clean. If the cake looks as if it is getting too brown during it’s bake, cover it loosely with a foil tent. Transfer the cake to a cooling rack and let it rest for about 15 minutes before unmolding, then cool the cake to room temperature right side up on the rack.
Source: Adapted from Baking: From My Home to Yours by Dorie Greenspan, houghton mifflin 2006
Laura says
I just spotted Dorie’s blog yesterday too. Hope those good days come back in abundance pronto! This cake makes me feel right at home, so I might just hang around for a while if thats ok?!
Tanna says
Oh Peabody, that first photo was like a punch between the eyes … that just looks like NOW, I need a piece NOW! Wow.
I’m sure with you on the scatter brained self stuff, but I’ve been this way for so long I don’t really have hope that it will return to a better state. I think this is just normal for me.
Ivonne says
Sometimes baking is the best way to deal with what life sends our way.
A beautiful cake, Peabody! Hope things work out soon!
Lydia says
Oh, how I wish I could bake away the blahs! Instead, I read your blog and wish I had a piece of that lovely cake.
Ellie says
The cake looks gorgeously fluffy! If you’re looking for a nice alcoholic drink, try adding a dash of Frangelico to your hot chocolate/mocha/coffee – it is absolutely divine!
Brilynn says
Rest assured, I certainly didn’t forget about Dorie, the shrine is being added to everyday. My post after the crepe cake of death is also a Dorie recipe!
jasmine says
I agree with Tanna–gorgeous first picture.
This cake looks amazing…I just found a small bottle of forgotten (not too-long forgotten) Baileys in the fridge…you’ve given me an idea…
j
Kirsten says
Sometimes getting back to baking with Dorie is just the remedy. 🙂
The cake looks delicious, as all your concoctions do!
p.s. now I want Bailey’s…nice work
Elle says
Baking IS a good way to beat the blues and every one of Dorie’s recipes seems to work like a charm. Look drool worthy to me. A slice with that drink concoction will surely help the Sabres win, right?
valentina says
I do get calmed down by baking. It manages to total control of my mind. Great thing for someone like me who seems to never stop thinking ( meaning : worrying). I love this recipe. Not too complex, and it seems that the end result is delicious.BTW, your pictures transport me to a fascinating world.I have also saved the DG site to check her out later.
sognatrice says
Sorry to hear about your troubles; I love your dad’s saying, though, and hopefully that’s helping you stay focused. And the recipe? Woohoo! I have all the ingredients here in Italy, so I can actually make it! Looks fabulous 🙂
Cheryl says
You definitely deserve some good days soon.
The cake is amazing. You can see how moist it is in the photos. I love making something you know will turn out good every time.
gilly says
Beautiful, Pea! I totally hear you about baking as a stress-reliever, and general picker-upper. I love the sounds of this cake – I’m a huge Irish Cream fan – so this sounds like a perfect little indulgence to me.
I love your superstitions – now does the superstition goes as far as needing to have that exact mocha drink – or just generally any delicious beverage with Bailey’s and Kahlua?
Anna says
Things will get better soon! Just keep on baking….and taking your gorgeous photos.
ilva says
It seems like we all need some comfort baking after the DB challenge! Looks gorgeous!
Lisa says
Awww I hope things get better soon, Gracie!!
The cake you chose looks marvelous.. am loving the swirly whipped cream and the white chocolate shavings.
xoxo
Jeff says
I could’ve come over and helped with the crepes!
Linda, The Village Vegetable says
YUM! absolutely sinful!
Ari (Baking and Books) says
It’s funny because last night I wanted a sure fire recipe for baked goodies and I went to Dorie’s book too. I wanted to try something new, but I don’t have a lot of time, and I knew she wouldn’t let me down. 🙂
Helen says
I hope things get better soon for you. It’s ok , we still dive into your fluffy creamy creations!
peabody says
Laura- feel free to stay…though be warned my dog will probably sit on you
Ellie- it sounds devine…sadly I have to stick with what I am drinking since I am superstitious when it comes to hockey\
Gilly- yes, it must be the exact drink. My husband and I were watching CBC the other night and they were showing NHL players superstitions growing up and my husband turned to me and said “So it’s all Canadians who are crazy…not just you.” 🙂
Jeff- you so did not want to come over during crepe time 🙂
Chris says
Have any left? I will be over momentarily! 🙂
Amrita says
Hi there! Ive been frequenting your blog for ages now, and you are a GENIUS! I hope u dont mind but ive linked you to my blog.
Everyones attempts on the Crepe Cake is really scaring me into NOT trying it…hahah…
I was hoping you could help me by linking my blog to yours? thanks so much!!!
Jann says
This looks devine…..mouth-watering, as usual!
Kristen says
It looks like Dorie is who we should turn to when Martha steers us wrong. This looks delicious!
Ngoc says
Yum! Made this as a belated birthday cake for my dad, and the whole family loved it. Thanks for sharing the recipe. 🙂