I am a member of the largest women’s group in the world. Usually, I take this membership for granted. I try and sign up for volunteer opportunities sanctioned by this group, or within this group, but rarely take the opportunity to attend social functions.
Last week, I finagled my schedule, and was bailed out of a responsibility by Y, and was thus able to attend the Christmas progressive dinner. Y attended the parent meeting for my daughter's basketball team :) Many of the women contributed some form to the dinner. I had volunteered to make dessert. I decided to make a dessert that isn't so popular with my own kids nor with my husband’s extended family, thus I rarely have a platform for or excuse to make it.
I had thoroughly enjoyed the evening of delicious flavors and textures atypical of a Tuesday night. We all converged on the last home for dessert and a short program. I brought my tall layer cake to the kitchen and cut slices all the way around. It was a chilled dessert, complete with layers of fudge cake, coconut cream, and pecan filling topped with rich chocolate glaze.
"How soon 'til we eat?" I inquired.
"Right away." responded the P.I.C.
Begrudgingly I left my cake and joined the rest of the ladies in the large gathering room. I assumed there would be a short welcome and thank you to the ladies who had graciously opened their homes making the evening a delightful success. Moments later, an unexpected group of carolers came in from the porch. The tune was lovely, but I was immediately distracted by a series of phone calls and texts from Y. I was running a little late, and he needed to leave his sister (J) to make his next commitment. J is old enough to stay home alone, but is almost as afraid of what might be lurking in the dark as her mother. After several failed attempts to phone the kids, I felt I needed to leave the gala and safeguard the homestead. As I drove away, I was left wondering whether the cake I made was as good as I hoped it would be.
Someday, I'll make it again, and pass along the recipe. For now, I'll begin with a few chocolate glaze recipes that I use somewhat interchangeably with many desserts.
Chocolate Glaze
1 14oz. can sweetened condensed milk
12 oz. chocolate chips (I prefer semi-sweet)
1-2 T milk
1/2 tsp. vanilla
Heat the condensed milk, chips, and milk on low heat stirring constantly until smooth. Stir in the vanilla.
Let set until desired temperature. Transfer into a quart size gallon Ziploc and snip the corner. Pipe the glaze in desired pattern or coverage.
Chocolate Glaze
2/3 cups heavy whipping cream
3/4 cups chocolate chips
1 T butter
Heat the cream and chips on low heat stirring constantly until smooth. Stir in the butter until melted. Let set until desired temperature. Transfer into a quart size gallon Ziploc and snip the corner. Pipe the glaze in desired pattern or coverage.
I still think about that cake; must be because I never got closure on tasting the combination of layers :) The inspiration for making it came from a dessert I had at Cheesecake Factory. Unfortunately, there isn’t one of those restaurants in my town. Or maybe it is fortunate, since after all, my treadmill IS broken.