Chocolate Almond Cake with Sour Cream Icing
Whether a fan of Downton Abbey or not, this rich Chocolate Almond Cake will delight you and guests…it’s timeless!
I will admit that I was pretty late to this party. I missed the entire first season of the PBS ‘Masterpiece Theatre’ series called Downton Abbey, the story of a manor house in England during the Edwardian period. I’m catching up but I’m also sharing this amazing Chocolate Almond Cake that one might have expected at dinner.
The story tells the tales of the people who live inside both the ‘upstairs’ and the ‘downstairs’ signifying the upper class residents and their servants. I started watching about 3 episodes into last year’s series and actually chose to stop watching at that time because I had missed so much of the story line.
I waited until I was able to watch the first two seasons in their entirety with the help of Netflix and Hulu. Now I’m ready for Season Three!
Heading into Season Three, the First World War is over, but intrigue, crisis, romance, and change still grip the beloved estate of Downton Abbey. Season Three starts in the states on January 6, 2013 on your local PBS channel.
Joining the cast this season is the veteran American actress Shirley MacLaine. Series three begins with MacLaine’s arrival at Downton days before the wedding of Lady Mary and Matthew Crawley. She immediately riles the Dowager Countess of Grantham (Dame Maggie Smith) with her straight-talking American ways. Go Shirley!
Julian Fellowes, creator of the show, said it was a treat to see the two veteran actresses on screen together. “They punch at equal weight. When they’re onscreen, you want to look at them both.
We were lucky enough to get Shirley Maclaine and the whole thing goes off like a firecracker,” said Fellowes, speaking at a preview screening of the new series. “She was what we were looking for. I don’t know who else we could have got.
We wanted that complete cultural difference, so she would get out of the car and everyone would say, ‘Ooh, blimey!’”
Gareth Neame, the show’s executive producer, said MacLaine was the dream choice for the role. “They key thing was to make sure we had an actress who was a match for Maggie Smith,” he said, “and that made the list very small.”
I simply can not wait to see the fireworks between these two!
I was approached by the publisher of the ‘Unofficial Downton Abbey Cookbook’ wanting to know if I would like to review their cookbook. I had just spent an entire weekend consumed by 2 years of this series; I think my reply was especially excited.
I chose to do an ‘upstairs’ dessert; Decadent Chocolate Almond Cake with Chocolate and Sour Cream Icing. This cake would have only been served to the lords and ladies of the Downton Abbey estate.
While later made famous by chefs like Julia Child, this cake was enjoyed in Europe and made by cooks like Downton Abbey’s Mrs. Patmore long before Julia came calling.
I served this cake this past weekend at get together of our local Denver blogger group; it was a small group in attendance but we had some great food. Ansh really outdid herself. She knows we love a hot and spicy Indian dish she makes so she did not disappoint but she also brought a gorgeous layered dessert. Isn’t it pretty?
Karen brought some fabulous Cinnamon Donut Hole Muffins (really, muffins that tasted just like cinnamon donut holes!), Jane had made some cheesy/thyme ‘biscuits’ that reminded me very much of Abby Dodge’s sable crackers and I prepared some beef that was provided to me by Todd with Ralston Valley Beef.
They are a small grass fed, organic beef operation. I met Todd a few weeks ago at a day long event I attended that was put on by folks at Colorado State University called ‘Beef + Transparency = Trust.’
I’ll be writing a full article on that event but I wanted first to prepare some of Todd’s beef and get reactions from others in the group. It was seriously some of the best beef we’ve ever had…lo and behold who should should show up as we were winding down?
My new best friend Todd who brought me a couple of Rib Eye steaks. The best part? I passed the ‘I cooked it perfect’ test from a beef guy. Whew!
Sorry I strayed a bit far from the Abbey didn’t I? But I’ll bring it back around for one last thing after the recipe…I’ve been offered a copy of the book to give away to one of my readers!
This is a fun and interesting book, full of recipes and tidbits related to the time. Get yourself a copy and decide on the dish you’ll make for the premiere of Season Three and join us…we can have a virtual viewing party!
The single layer cake is a combination of rich chocolate, espresso and butter combined with ground almonds which makes the almond description very fitting.
The icing is really more of what we would call a ganache; thick and creamy with more chocolate, dried espresso and the surprise addition of sour cream. I loved the cake but thought there was a bit too much ganache…as much as I LOVE frosting I enjoyed this cake better with a bit less!
PIN IT ‘Chocolate Almond Cake with Sour Cream Frosting’
Chocolate Almond Cake with Sour Cream Frosting
Ingredients
- 4 oz. or 4 squares semi-sweet chocolate
- 2 Tbsp Dried Espresso
- ½ cup 1 stick softened butter
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 3 egg yolks
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 3 egg whites
- Pinch of salt
- ½ cup pulverized almonds
- ½ tsp. almond extract
- ½ cup cake flour scooped and leveled
For the Frosting:
- 4 oz semi-sweet baking chocolate
- 1 tsp instant dried Espresso
- ¾ cup sour cream
- ¼ cup corn syrup
- ½ tsp kosher salt
- ½ tsp vanilla
- ½ cup lightly toasted sliced almonds
Instructions
- To Make the Cake
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees.Grease and flour one 8" cake pan.
- Butter and flour an 8-inch round pan.
- Set the chocolate and instant espresso or coffee in a double boiler with almost simmering water; let melt while you proceed with the recipe.
- Cream the butter and sugar together for several minutes until they form a pale yellow, fluffy mixture. Beat in the egg yolks one at a time until well blended.
- Beat the egg whites and salt in a separate bowl until soft peaks are formed.
- With a rubber spatula, blend the melted chocolate into the butter and sugar mixture, then stir in the almonds, and almond extract. Immediately stir in 1/4 of the beaten egg whites to lighten up the batter. Delicately fold in a third of the remaining whites and when partially blended, sift in one third of the flour and continue folding. Alternate rapidly with more egg whites and more flour until all the egg whites and flour are incorporated.
- Turn the batter into the cake pan, pushing the batter up to its rim with a rubber spatula. Bake in the middle level of preheated oven for about 25 min. Cake is done when it has puffed and 2- 1/2 to 3 inches around the circumference are set so that a needle plunged into the area comes out clean; the center should move slightly if the pan is shaken and a needle comes out oily.
- Allow the cake to cool in the pan for 10 min. Run a knife around the edge of the pan and reverse cake on a rack. Allow it to cool for an hour or two; it must be thoroughly cooled before being iced.
- To Make the Frosting
- Place the chocolate and espresso in a double boiler; melt the chocolate, remove from the heat and let the chocolate cool until tepid.
- In a medium size bowl, mix the sour cream, corn syrup, salt and vanilla until smooth. Add the cooled chocolate and blend thoroughly. Spread or drizzle over the cooled cake.
- Garnish with the toasted almonds.
Mmmm… my appetite has woken up. The cake looks delicious! I will definitely cook it tomorrow!
I am a big fan, but just recently. Just finished Seasons 1 and 2 and getting caught up on Season 3 now. Planning a Birthday Brunch with a Surprise Downton Theme. So excited. Thinking about the Chocolate Almond Cake for the Birthday cake.
Sounds similar…I sort of enjoyed being sick for a couple of days…I watched both seasons over a weekend laid up in bed! The cake was divine!
This is a stunning cake, Barb! How fun to get this cookbook and help sample the recipes. I can’t wait for the next season of Downton Abbey to begin. I have my whole family hooked now!
Having been in Europe this fall, I was lucky to see the first three episodes of the new season. It is good. I can’t wait to see it all. Our daughter who lives in England told us yesterday that it was announced that there would be a fourth season. Aren’t we lucky!
I read that just yesterday. Appreciate our European friends not playing spoiler…we are forced to wait but guess that gives me more time to plan a party!
This cake looks great, Barb 🙂 I love chocolate and almonds together. Perfect pairing!
I LOVE Downtown Abbey! Free Bates! lanzaelizabeth77 at gmail dot com
YES!!
I’m a huge fan; can’t wait for the new season. Friends who were visiting England last year were able to see episodes of that season ahead of them being shown in the US. Another good reason to visit England and my newly discovered cousins there.
wow, do I love the looks of that!! I’m a DA fan but had no idea there was a cookbook.
I was turned onto Downton by a friend of mine last season! Couldn’t wait till the next episode!!
Last year as my father-in-law was dying of brain cancer the family was gathered for Thanksgiving and my sister-in-law turned me on to this culinary cite! Now I simply can’t live without either!
I can’t wait to try this chocolate almond cake! Maybe I’ll surprise the group for our 1 year reunion of a special holiday gathering right before dad passes away. All Great memories!!
Cheers~~
Vicki
What a lovely looking cake, reading ratios are just perfect can’t wait to make it! Antonia
I have a weakness for British costume dramas, and am a great fan of “Downton Abbey.” I’m fascinated by England during both WWI and WWII, how people coped, the changes in society, etc. And early 1900s Edwardian is my favorite fashion era. Barb, it’s very cool you were asked to review the book!
Happy Thanksgiving!
-Lisa
I was also a latecomer to Downton Abbey, getting all caught up on Netflix. True be told, I was unsure after the first episode…my husband said I was nuts but by the end of the second episode I was hooked! Can’t wait for the next season. I even put a reminder in my calendar. LOL
I haven’t watched it, but I’ve heard it’s very good.
I haven’t gotten into Downton Abbey yet because I know I will lose days catching up!
This cake just may knock my traditional, well-loved staple of pumpkin pie off the menu for T-day dessert! Oh my word that looks marvelous!
I am obsessed with Downton Abbey! I’ve already watched Season 3 and it is AMAZING! I might re-watch it when it comes on in January.
I am obsessed with Downton Abbey. Maggie Smith simply makes the show for me. I love her character. I admit that I too have already watched Season 3 but cannot wait to catch it again when it begins airing here in the States. This recipe sounds phenomenal as I am a big chocoholic. I can’t wait to be able to get my hands on a copy of this book!
Anyone who titles a recipe beginning with decadent needs to come sit by me. 🙂
I love this cake.
i love the flavors in this cake, thanks for sharing. i’ve been an avid fan of Downton Abbey and my favorite characters are Mrs. Patmore & Daisy, love the kitchen & dining scenes!
I love Downton abbey!!!! you could say I’m obsessed with it!!! LOL So I already saw seaso 3 but still very anxious to see it again
Downton Abbey is on my to-watch list and I am planning to watch it over Christmas break!
I adore Downton Abbey and am so glad you have found it as well. I wish I could try the cake, but alas, chocolate is a migraine trigger for me. Perhaps a good caramel recipe someday?
I love Downton Abbey and I can’t wait for the next season! Beautiful cake!
I LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOVE Downton Abbey! January can’t come fast enough for me. Something to look forward to after the holidays. Thanks for sharing a yummy recipe, and for the chance to win!
Oh this looks wonderful and I have been wanting to get a copy of this cookbook. I am an email subscriber and just love the show. The costumes and scenery are so gorgeous and the story is fabulous! I would love to win this cookbook. Thank you and have a great Thanksgiving!!
My husband and I really enjoy the series and am so excited to see there is an unofficial cookbook. I’m going to attempt the almond cake for this birthday. Thank you for posting!
I would love the recipe of the multi layered cake in the picture…any chance of getting it?
I would love it too! My friend is supposed to get it to me so I can try it; it was easier than mine according to her and it was sooooo good. I’ll put a bug in her ear and see if I can get that for us!
Absolutely Barb and Mari. Will send you a recipe soon Barb so you can make it 😀
From my friend Ansh…here’s the cake:
http://www.masterchef.com.au/recipes/gateau-opera.htm
And this is the recipe she used for the buttercream : http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120742534
The Ganache came from The Miette cookbook but use your favorite ganache if that recipe is not available online or you don’t have the cookbook.
I haven’t watched Downton Abbey yet, but it’s on my list to do during Christmas vacation. I’m also putting this delicious cake on that to do list as well. Fantastic, Barb!
oH MY GOSHHHHHHHH Barbara this is divine. I need the entire thing delivered to my face.
I would LOVE to start watching this series. I think I would have to play catch up, as you did. Have heard about it but never sat myself down to watch. Looks intriguing!
Thank you for your lovely words Barb and getting me involved in this project. The cookbook is really fun and I have really enjoyed reading the little etiquette lessons and foot notes. Loved the cake.
You are going to so love Series 3… it has just finished on this side of the Atlantic. My Wednesday evenings are not the same anymore!
I bet Mrs. Padmore would be so proud of that cake… looks delicious!
I have yet to see one episode of this series but we do have Netflix and it’s one my list of *Winter Watching*. I’ve loved Maggie Smith since seeing her in The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie decades ago and have always been a fan of Shirley MacLaine’s. I’m now a huge fan of this chocolate almond cake!!!
What a nice gathering you all must have enjoyed. The food looks amazing and that dessert brought by Ansh is simply elegant.
I watched both the seasons. My daughter and I love British period dramas. When we watched it, we did not know it had created such a stir :))
Thank you for taking such a beautiful picture of the Gateau Opera. I was not sure if it would survive the drive and the drivers driving :))
Hope to see you soon again!
Gosh you all ate some beautiful food on Saturday! Sorry to have missed it. I am also WAY behind on this Downtown Abbey craze– as in so far behind that I haven’t seen a single episode. My husband watches a lot of the English shows to see what he is missing across the pond but this is one show that hasn’t appeared on our dvr yet. Would men like it as much as women? I’ll have to check it out.
I became absorbed in the series last September after borrowing season 1 and 2 from my sister in law. Now I’m obsessed and can hardly wait for January!
I did watch an episode here and there, but now I want to go to Netflix and watch it all (I hope they have it). Those cakes are so inviting… 🙂 Have a lovely holidays! 🙂
I’ve watched all 3 seasons! I was late to the party too and watched the first season on Netflix too. I’m a big fan. Such a fun idea for a cookbook.
Lovely cake! I love cakes made with ground almonds and I love the espresso included here, it sounds very decandent indeed. Downton has just finished here, although we have a Christmas special to look forward to! I cant wait for you to see series 3, Shirley MacLaine is a brilliant addition!
We grew up watching Upstairs, Downstairs and this is its little sister… or grandchild and no I’ve not yet watched any of it but now I’ll definitely find it online and watch while I bike. And this cake is extraordinary! And bingo I just found the chocolate cake I’ll be making my son this week! Looks fabulous!!!
I think you’ve done Mrs. Patmore proud. What a fantastic post. I love the show too and am a huge fan. I even have the cookbook but haven’t made anything from it yet. I think this cake will have to be first 🙂