Cocoa-Buttermilk Birthday Cake

Happy 2nd Anniversary TWD!

To celebrate this special anniversary, TWD members voted on recipes. Tarte Tatin was the winner, with the Cocoa Buttermilk Cake a close runner up. Laurie, our spirited leader, allowed us to choose from either recipe. I have been a member now for a year, and it has been fun. And challenging of course, because I actually bake on the Tuesday, so sometimes I post a little late at night. I imagine myself baking with hundreds of others around the world at the same time.

Moving on with the recipe.......Trying to cut down on so much baking after Christmas, I decided to half the recipe and make some mini cupcakes instead. I make cute little minis in these nut cups that you can find a a couple of sizes. No need for the cupcake pan. You can set them right on a baking sheet, fill and bake. They come out pretty good. And to eat them just peel away the cup from the edge.

There were some comments that the Malt Frosting was a little gritty, so I subbed in some confection sugar instead of the brown. I also added a bit extra malt, because I just love it! And a little extra chocolate in both the batter and frosting. Who doesn't love more chocolate, right? The little cakes came out pretty good. Not super moist , but OK. I found the chocolate cake on the cover of the book to be better. The frosting with the changes, was quite tasty.

If you would like to try this recipe you can find it on "slush" by Laurie, the founder of Tuesdays with Dorie, or within Dorie Greenspan's fabulous book Baking From My Home to Yours , on pages 256-7.

Thanks Laurie and Dorie for a wonderful year!