white chocolate Archives - East of Eden Cooking

2016/05/142018/01/03

Caramelized White Chocolate Pound Cake

Going Blond

“I thank you Adam, he said. The sweetness of your offer is a good smell on the west wind.”

East of Eden, John Steinbeck

Inspiration

Are you fond of white chocolate? If not, I am here to change your mind. If you know about Valrhona Dulcey fèves or discs then you’ll understand my obession. The Dulcey is caramelized white chocolate, which is more than fantastic. The happy accident of Chef Frederic Bau, from L’Ecole du Grand Chocolat has transformed the often maligned flavor profile of white chocolate into something extraordinary. I took a perfectly wonderful dark chocolate recipe from The New York Times and gave it a big do over. Melissa Clark’s not so humble pound cake is already a winner! Double streusel is quite amazing. As soon as I saw the recipe I knew I had try it. Except, this is the brunette that went blond for spring. READ MORE . . .

2014/04/07

Chocolate Cake with Candied Kumquats

Discovering Kumquats

“There are no ugly questions except those clothed in condescension.”

East of Eden, John Steinbeck

Inspiration

If the classic flavor pairing of orange and chocolate elicits the desire to start baking, this is the cake to make. The cake is moist and chocolatey with thunder showers of orangey kumquat and cloud bursts of creamy white chocolate. Crowned with a powdered sugar glaze and candied kumquats this loaf cake makes for a sublime citrus and chocolate experience. READ MORE . . .

2013/03/112017/12/26

Malted Chocolate Cupcakes with White Chocolate Malted Fudge Frosting

Butterflies in Winter

“A man, after he has brushed off the dust and chips of his life, will have left only the hard, clean questions: Was it good or was it evil? Have I done well–or ill?”

East of Eden, John Steinbeck

Inspiration

The annual migration of the Monarch butterfly is fascinating. Each winter Monarchs on the western side of the Rocky Mountains migrate from as far away as Canada to Pacific Grove, Twin Bridges State Park and Pismo Beach along the central coast of California. Year after year they return to the same three areas. Here along the coast they find shelter and food from November to March of each year. A Monarch that winters in coastal California does not live to make the return trip the following winter. Five generations of Monarchs have lived and died during the course of the year. Scientists are unsure how the Monarch navigates to the same place year after year. They speculate that the earth’s magnetic field, the position of the sun or the Monarchs “internal clock” guide their annual migration. READ MORE . . .

2011/12/202017/12/31

Red Velvet Cupcakes with White Chocolate Peppermint Frosting

A Whimsical Dessert for the Holidays

“The winter night blew in with frosty wind, and the street lamps with their sputtering carbons swung restlessly and made shadows dart back and forth like a runner trying to steal second base.”

East of Eden, John Steinbeck

Inspiration

Lush red velvet was whispering Christmas to me. I was seduced by bold red and white peppermint stripes and a minty sharpness in the cold nights. Creamy white chocolate curled above the red velvet like wisps of steam from my hot morning coffee. I imagined a snowy Christmas portrayed in my velvet cupcakes. READ MORE . . .