Er, something.
This is my, "Fake it till you can really make it cake."
I was testing out an idea for my book, and whipped up this cake.
Its my favorite chocolate cake, covered in milk chocolate (not ganache, just melted chocolate) with chocolate covered donut balls on top.
Sprinkled with sugar and stuff.
I 'faked' the cake pops on top of the cake because I was too lazy to make another cake just to see how this would look. The donut balls are a convenient substitution, but as you can see are very lumpy and not as visually appealing as the real thing.
What I would do differently:
Taste wise, I really enjoyed the flavors. I mean, its chocolate cake with chocolate frosting and chocolate covered devils food donuts. Who wouldn't like all the chocolate deliciousness?
Stying wise, I would not pour my remaining chocolate over the cake. And I would try to make the cake bigger, maybe an 8inch, so the cake and cake pops looks proportionate.
I would take the time to make real cake pops and make sure they were smooth and gorgeous.
Speaking of perfect cake pops, I will be heading out to Williams & Sonoma in the Galleria this Saturday to go support that fabulous Miss Bakerella! She will be there from 12-2 signing her best selling book Cake Pops.
Be sure to stop out and say hi if you want to join me and show her some Minnesota love!
And be sure to check out this adorable new site she launched! She is so smart. :)
I think that it is a neat cake idea, even if you want to change some things. It is fun and festive!
Posted by: Jessica B | Oct 06, 2011 at 10:33 PM
Oh my gosh, that is SO cute! I need to find an occasion to make that for!
Posted by: Annie @ Annie's Cooking Lab | Oct 06, 2011 at 10:35 PM
I love it. I thought the donut holes where cake balls at first. I think they look great! Can't wait to see what else you do!
Posted by: Shannon | Oct 06, 2011 at 10:49 PM
what a fun cake Amanda! It sounds delicious and really I could go for a slice of chocolate cake right now and I'd choose this.
Have fun at the book signing, I went when Angie was near me, she is really sweet!
Posted by: Diane {Created by Diane} | Oct 06, 2011 at 10:52 PM
I think it looks amazing! And I love the "fall" colors!
How you do it all, I will never know. You're awesome!
XOXO
Posted by: Christina | Oct 06, 2011 at 10:56 PM
Aww, I like it! It looks like a croquemcake: http://willowbirdbaking.wordpress.com/2010/11/28/browned-butter-pumpkin-croquemcake-with-white-chocolate-chai-mousse-project-food-blog-round-8/ So it wins points with me <3
Also, donuuuuuuts. Yum.
Posted by: Julie @ Willow Bird Baking | Oct 07, 2011 at 12:35 AM
I love the mound of doughnut balls on the top, it looks so festive and elegant. I think this is a real showstopper already!
Posted by: Sylvie @ Gourmande in the Kitchen | Oct 07, 2011 at 01:57 AM
I love the colors and how it looks.
You have a fan in Barcelona :)
Posted by: MA | Oct 07, 2011 at 01:58 AM
This looks delicious and extremely creative and unusual! I'm always impressed with your ideas and visions!
Stumbled!
Posted by: Renee (kudos kitchen) | Oct 07, 2011 at 02:02 AM
Wonderful! I think all in white it's perfect for a winter cake!
I save the recipe!
xo from Italy
Chiara
Posted by: Chiara75 | Oct 07, 2011 at 02:17 AM
I think the cake looks cute! Maybe because I have some special memories eating munchkin donuts when I was little.
Posted by: Jessica's Dinner Party | Oct 07, 2011 at 02:56 AM
Wow, this cake is so awesome!!
Posted by: Yammie @ Yammie's Noshery | Oct 07, 2011 at 07:26 AM
This cake looks A-mazing!
Posted by: Account Deleted | Oct 07, 2011 at 07:30 AM
Chocolate cake, yum! Chocolate cake covered in melted chocolate, double YUM! Chocolate cake covered in melted chocolate topped with doughnut holes with chocolate sprinles, GENIUS!
Posted by: [email protected]/blog | Oct 07, 2011 at 07:31 AM
I can't wait till your book comes out!
Posted by: Monica Lim | Oct 07, 2011 at 07:59 AM
Love the chocolate poured all over the top...looks so yummy!!
Posted by: Cookbook Queen | Oct 07, 2011 at 08:00 AM
I love it. I believe it looks great and would be a great addition to any occasion.
Posted by: Regina | Oct 07, 2011 at 08:02 AM
Wow this looks amazing!
Posted by: lauraJ | Oct 07, 2011 at 08:10 AM
I love this idea! Totally adorable and easily adaptable to any holiday/theme!
Posted by: Naina @ chow bella | Oct 07, 2011 at 08:25 AM
Gorgeous, gorgeous, gorgeous! I wouldn't change a THING!!!
Have so much fun meeting Angie!!! I can't imagine that much sweetness and talent in one room!
Posted by: bridget {bake at 350} | Oct 07, 2011 at 08:26 AM
OOh I think the chocolate cake with an spiced "orange coloured" buttercream frosting with the ganache drizzled on top would go perfect with a pumpkin spice style cake ball (some with a dark chocolate coating and others in a pumpkin orange). I may have to try it out for our Thanksgiving dinner dessert on Saturday.
Posted by: Michelle | Oct 07, 2011 at 08:39 AM
personally, I love it the way it is and think you should ship it to me ;)
Posted by: Kelli | Oct 07, 2011 at 08:58 AM
The uneven size of the doughnuts lean toward a more rustic look that I find very appealing. Not sure that the allure of your cake would be improved by "perfect" cake balls. It looks delicious just as it is! I can almost hear it calling out to me to grab a fork. Perhaps your plan to make the cake larger will put the doughnuts in perspective. I don't think I've ever seen a cake with doughnuts on it. So the big question is, "Does original, easy and appealing outweigh perfect, trendy and more effort?"
We trust you'll make the right decision when the time comes. How could there be a bad choice with all that chocolate! Love it!
Posted by: FairlyOddMother | Oct 07, 2011 at 09:10 AM
I am also going to see Bakerella this Saturday at Williams Sonoma! I just now realized that you live in MN!
Posted by: Kristine | Oct 07, 2011 at 09:26 AM
Oh yum! Great cake for Halloween!
Posted by: Maria | Oct 07, 2011 at 09:29 AM
Donuts AND cake. It's a [Halloween] masterpiece! I'm impressed.
Posted by: Lisa (With Style and Grace) | Oct 07, 2011 at 09:32 AM
I think it's awesome and wouldn't change a thing!
Posted by: SamCyn | Oct 07, 2011 at 09:39 AM
I think this looks incredible! I bet you are having so much fun experimenting. You didn't make those donut holes too did you?
Posted by: HeatherChristo | Oct 07, 2011 at 09:42 AM
I love this! It's fantastic!!!
Posted by: Brenda @ a farmgirl's dabbles | Oct 07, 2011 at 09:47 AM
So pretty! Love the abundance of this cake.
Posted by: Molly Chester | Oct 07, 2011 at 10:03 AM
I actually like that the "cake pops" aren't perfectly smooth. It is a Halloween cake after all and perfection isn't scary. :)
Posted by: Stacey W. | Oct 07, 2011 at 10:56 AM
I think it looks great, and your changes will make it extra special. This would be a great cake for a man, it screams manly to me, colorwise I guess. :) Although I am a woman and I'd eat it :) I bet it tastes great!
Posted by: Renee | Oct 07, 2011 at 11:10 AM
I kinda like the extra chocolate dripping... it gives it a 'spooky' look for Halloween!!!!
Meanwhile - it's another kewl cake-making idea!!! THANKS!
Posted by: Pam | Oct 07, 2011 at 11:14 AM
Are the donuts homemade? They should be a post in themselves, they look absolutely delicious!
Posted by: Kelly | Oct 07, 2011 at 12:17 PM
The cake looks great! Have a great time with Bakerella -- we love her too :)
Posted by: Mary C. | Oct 07, 2011 at 12:25 PM
I don't know that I'd change a thing in the world on this cake. It is gorgeous!!!
Please give Angie a big hug from me!
Posted by: Robyn | Add a Pinch | Oct 07, 2011 at 01:31 PM
I saw them and right away thought doughnut balls, and was HAPPY with them. I think I would have been disappointed if they had been cake pops. Who would have guessed this was the "failed" attempt.
Posted by: Diamond | Oct 07, 2011 at 02:03 PM
You're crazy! And I mean that in the nicest of ways lol ;) This cake needs zero changes in the future. Donuts ON a cake?! Uhm YES please. I love how it's not perfect. It's super cute in every way. Love it and I'm totally craving donuts now thanks a lot!
Posted by: Rachel @ Baked by Rachel | Oct 07, 2011 at 03:04 PM
This is wonderful!! I think the lumpy donut balls look just fine!!! I love this design!!
Posted by: Carsedra- Sweet Tooth Desserts | Oct 07, 2011 at 03:11 PM
Fabulous!!!!!! 3 of my most favorite things ........ chocolate, cake and donut balls : )
Posted by: Mona | Oct 07, 2011 at 03:32 PM
OOOO Can you drop this off at my door step if your Trick Or Treating in my neighborhood?
Posted by: Erin | Oct 07, 2011 at 04:14 PM
Drooling from the other side of the world at 8am in the morning.
oh amanda.. LOVE IT! just trying to visualise how it would look if i made it!
Posted by: Kelly Mcclure Australia | Oct 07, 2011 at 04:27 PM
Delicious looking and so cute!!!!
Posted by: brigid | Oct 07, 2011 at 05:50 PM
WHOA! so utterly gorgeous! can't wait for the boooook!
and by the way, i think doughnuts on top of cakes would be a great idea!!
Posted by: Ann P. | Oct 07, 2011 at 08:33 PM
Cute overall cake idea! And did you get a pic with her?
Posted by: Tara | Oct 07, 2011 at 09:18 PM
Hmmm... I think you are too hard on yourself. I'm kinda loving the cake. And I LOVE the idea of using the donut holes as a cake ball substitute, as I'm not a fan of the cakeball taste/texture (even though they look adorable). Also, I think the porportion of the cake-to-donut-holes is nice... not sure I'd like it as much with a larger cake. But of course, I'd have to see it to be sure... ;)
Posted by: Jenna | Oct 07, 2011 at 09:41 PM
Oh em gee. This cake is adorable. I love it!
Posted by: Allison [Girl's Guide to Social Media] | Oct 07, 2011 at 10:32 PM
great idea... i love it... beautiful pictures as well
Posted by: foodie @ picyourtaste.com | Oct 07, 2011 at 10:38 PM
Adorable Halloween cake, Amanda, whether you made your own cake pops or not.
I really have to try and make those...never have attempted cake pops.
Fun to see Bakerella!
Posted by: Barbara | Oct 08, 2011 at 06:29 AM
I actually love the look of the donut holes! Such a deliciously adorable idea! Love!
Posted by: Linzy | Oct 08, 2011 at 10:04 AM