One of the greatest privileges of blogging is the community... meeting wonderful and inspiring and forward thinking people. Michelle from What's Cooking With Kids just happens to be one of those people!
As a mom of four now, I love and appreciate Michelle's mission. She is determined to get kids eating 'green' and to celebrate the goodness of locally grown foods. She teaches kids and their families to not only enjoy delicious home made foods, but to give back and support their communities. (She was even invited to the white house to meet Michelle Obama!)
When I found out Michelle had a new book out I was so excited to be able to make something from it!
I sat down and read Michelle's Whole Family Cookbook (seriously, I read it like a novel... she has some awesome and down to earth and funny information in there!) I sorta ended gravitating to the sweeter recipes that she offered.
I know. I know. I have an addiction to anything baked or make with sugar. Its more like a sickness.
Moving on.
I decided to make her Flourless Chocolate Cake. It was my first flourless chocolate cake ever.
I gotta tell you... I love it. The flavor is so rich and deep and decadent. Its sexy. Its mouth watering. Sublime.
I may or may not have discovered this when assembling the cake... as in, when it was still in its pre-cooked form.
Basically, I tried the batter. It rocked.
But since I knew how deeply rich and wonderful the chocolate was, I knew I couldnt decorate it any ole way. No amazingly sweet buttercream. No ganache. No more sugary sweetness needed.
Well... not much more. I did end up going with the standard powder sugar sprinkling... but I also added a few grapes.
These grapes were slightly tart, so the pairing was just amazing for those of us who love a playful twist on flavors.
Thank you Michelle, for introducing me to a wonderful version of cake that I am sure will be made many more times in this house. I cant believe I made something that is gluten free! I need to do this more.
Thank you for promoting healthy and sustainable lifestyle choices for our children!
You are making the world a better place girl! :)
Yay for gluten free!!! And yes, please "do this more"!!
Posted by: Tara | Apr 14, 2011 at 04:07 PM
Oooh - I'm just starting to venture into a few gluten free recipes and this looks DIVINE!
Where can we find the recipe, I want to devour the whole thing! :)
Posted by: MaryF | Apr 14, 2011 at 04:11 PM
I just have to say that I am insane over the green grapes on the top. It is so unexpected and gorgeous. I can't quite imagine the flavor combo so I guess I will just have to try it :)
theenchantedoven.blogspot.com
Posted by: Lisa | Apr 14, 2011 at 04:18 PM
The recipe is in Michelles book... which is available on Amazon.com. Here is a link!
http://www.amazon.com/Whole-Family-Cookbook-Celebrate-goodness/dp/1440511209/ref=sr_1_1?s=booksie=UTF8qid=1302815758sr=1-1
Posted by: Amanda Rettke | Apr 14, 2011 at 04:20 PM
Well those photos just make this diet coke not stack up, lady. I need chocolate, and I need it now.
Posted by: Amber | Bluebonnets & Brownies | Apr 14, 2011 at 04:33 PM
I am SO touched by your kind and loving words, Amanda. And I can't believe you had time to do this with a brand new baby in the house. I suppose that's the best endorsement there ever was for a dessert!
xoxoxoxoxox
Michelle
Posted by: Michelle (What's Cooking with Kids) | Apr 14, 2011 at 04:34 PM
i am just now starting to bake gf, after several requests. i am looking and tasting as i go, i will have to try this book
Posted by: stephanie miller | Apr 14, 2011 at 04:36 PM
That looks delicious...and I'm trying hard not to have a knee-jerk reaction to the gluten-free thing. I have several family members, and friends who suffer from Celiac Disease and I am absolutely going to try it, and pass the recipe along. But, as the parent of a child on the autism spectrum, I have been subjected to the gluten-free proselytizers more than the average person. So, I'm stamping down my nervous tic, and breaking out my ingredients!! *grin*
Posted by: Abbie | Apr 14, 2011 at 05:01 PM
Your cake looks so pretty with just the powdered sugar and the grapes. Less definitely is more sometimes.
Posted by: Paula | Apr 14, 2011 at 05:06 PM
gorgeous! I love the staging for the photo..really pretty :)
i haven't ever tried flourless cake, but I'm thinkin' it's a MUST!
Posted by: shelly (cookies and cups) | Apr 14, 2011 at 05:57 PM
Beautiful!! I am a huge fan of flourless chocolate cake - can't wait to try Michelle's version!
Posted by: Brenda @ a farmgirl's dabbles | Apr 14, 2011 at 07:26 PM
cake looks superdelicious,
Posted by: notyet100 | Apr 14, 2011 at 08:44 PM
make a quick raspberry sauce and some good whipped cream and you have heaven on a plate.
Posted by: Danee Kaplan | Apr 14, 2011 at 08:53 PM
I love to see gluten free ideas! Pictures look great! The cookbook would be a great Teacher Appreication gift idea!
Posted by: trish | Apr 14, 2011 at 09:34 PM
I love flourless chocolate cake. We usually pile it high with fresh strawberries and mounds of whipped cream. Yum!
Posted by: Jen | Apr 14, 2011 at 11:27 PM
Yay for flourless chocolate cake! When you really need a serious chocolate fix this stuff will do the trick, it's seriously rich.
Posted by: Sylvie @ Gourmande in the Kitchen | Apr 15, 2011 at 12:10 AM
This is gorgeous and I will take your word on it that it is delicious! Lovely photos, Amanda - are you finally seeing signs of spring in your neck of the woods?
x
Posted by: susan | Apr 15, 2011 at 12:26 AM
My very favorite cake!
Posted by: Maris (In Good Taste) | Apr 15, 2011 at 03:46 AM
thanks for this recipe…it truly looks great. i have been wanting to bake a flourless chocolate cake for sometime now!!
Posted by: linda | Apr 15, 2011 at 05:15 AM
Lovely idea of comparing grapes with the cake! I always have mine with cold vanilla ice cream on the side ;p
Posted by: Janine Liang | Apr 15, 2011 at 06:03 AM
I love eating gluten freeI've got a gluten free sugar cookie recipe that is great for decorating or for fruit pizza and recipes for macarons that are divine! I'll be doing making the macarons soon and featuring them on my blog. They make great additions for people with allergies/sensetivies on dessert tables. That way everyone present can have a sweet treat. Everyone deserves a sweet treat!
Posted by: Libby~Libberlicious Live Delicious | Apr 15, 2011 at 07:48 AM
I keep hearing about her cookbook. Need to go get it!
Posted by: Amy | Apr 15, 2011 at 08:06 AM
This made me cry, in a good way. I never thought one of my recipes would make me cry.
Posted by: Daniela Weiner | Apr 15, 2011 at 10:01 AM
We are Daniela Weiner's US family. She is an Austrian Pastry Chef (the flourless cake recipe is her creation). Amazingly, she has celiac disease. How does a person with celiac disease create such incredible treats!! (And she does - both GF and not... I am learning to cook Gluten Free so she can eat with us.) This cake, which she has made for us a couple of times, is beautiful to look at, sensuous, heavenly, and when you serve it to someone they just know that you love them.
Posted by: Laura Salvatore | Apr 15, 2011 at 10:14 AM
Yay!!!! Thank you for the gluten free recipes. You made my heart melt with this one!
Posted by: Jess | Apr 15, 2011 at 10:23 AM
I am gluten free and am loving to find different recipes. Can you tell me if her book is mainly gluten free recipes??? I have been reading about it but I can't find any information on it.
Posted by: Angie Murphy | Apr 15, 2011 at 11:41 AM
I may well make a half portion of this cake for Passover. Thanks!
Posted by: Jodee Rose | Apr 15, 2011 at 01:06 PM
Such a great book, isn't it? That chocolate cake sounds fantastic!
Posted by: Kristen | Apr 15, 2011 at 02:16 PM
This looks amazing!
Posted by: Shannon Marie | Apr 15, 2011 at 02:40 PM
I love flourless chocolate cake - I can't wait to try Michelle's!!
Posted by: Tracy | Apr 15, 2011 at 04:36 PM
I am SO grateful to Daniela Weiner for contributing this amazing recipe to my new book. She has SO much talent and passion - for her work in the kitchen (and for her dogs!).
Michelle
(author of The Whole Family Cookbook) and friend of Dani's
Posted by: Michelle (What's Cooking with Kids) | Apr 15, 2011 at 07:18 PM
I am vegan and a fair amount of people in the vegan community are also GF, this looks great and cannot wait to try it. I would love to see you work with some vegan recipes as well.
Posted by: Madeleine | Apr 16, 2011 at 12:04 AM
are you teaching Eddie to cook already! I sure hope so. Your cake is beautiful and includes chocolate - need i say more?
Posted by: susan | Apr 16, 2011 at 09:00 AM
Love the cake! What a treat!
Posted by: Maria | Apr 16, 2011 at 09:08 AM
This cake sounds and looks like such a delicious treat Amanda!!
Thanks so much for linking up! I featured your post in my wrap up! http://tidymom.net/2011/spring-ideas/
Have a GREAT weekend!
Posted by: TidyMom | Apr 16, 2011 at 10:58 AM
Look at you going all gluten free like that. I really dig GF lately. Not only do I like the flavor better-but I think I feel better eating it. I think. Michelle has a great book, so proud of her :)
xo
Posted by: marla {family fresh cooking} | Apr 16, 2011 at 09:49 PM
Oh my heavens! This looks perfectly fudgy! Is it kind of like a dense brownie - that's what I like!
And I love powdered sugar on chocolate desserts too, simple but satisfying:)
Posted by: Lucy @ The Sweet Touch | Apr 16, 2011 at 09:59 PM
Looks simply scrumptious! And so beautiful, too!
Posted by: Miri Leigh | Apr 16, 2011 at 10:11 PM
Hmm.. This looks so delicious!
I would love for you to link up at my first linky party! :)
{nifty thrifty sunday}
xoxo,
Vanessa
Posted by: Vanessa | Apr 17, 2011 at 07:11 AM
Flourless chocolate cakes are dense and divine! Now here's something I can make! :)
Posted by: Barbara | Apr 18, 2011 at 08:56 AM
So pretty, Amanda! I bet is was delicious!
Posted by: bridget {bake at 350} | Apr 18, 2011 at 11:06 AM
tart grapes atop a cake--now THAT'S a first. good thinking!
Posted by: grace | Apr 18, 2011 at 02:23 PM
Hi Amanda, first, this looks AMAZING!!! Second, I stopped in to pass on a Blogger Award! Your blog inspires and warms my heart every day! Please head on over to mine for details, you don't have to stay long, just grab your award! :)
Posted by: Jennifer Nixon | Apr 18, 2011 at 06:14 PM
This looks and sounds delicious. I've yet to enter the GF foray. YOu obviously have this mastered!
Posted by: naomi | Apr 19, 2011 at 09:56 PM
I'm not easily impressed. . . but that's imrpessnig me! :)
Posted by: Nelly | Apr 26, 2011 at 04:13 PM
I am impressed, gluten free is there anything you can't do
Posted by: | May 26, 2011 at 06:58 AM
This was actually very good. From the pictures I was not sure I would love it, but I decided to give it a try anyways. I was surprised at how moist and tasty this was! This one will definitely be added to the books for later!
Posted by: Eric Myers | Jun 03, 2011 at 06:56 PM
Whenever I see your cakes they make me smile. :) Thank you for creating such beauty from flour and sugar.
Posted by: CaFay | Aug 08, 2011 at 12:38 PM