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. :)
Whoa, whoa, whoa! Wait a minute? MN? Are you here in MN? That is sooo cool! Another reason to love MN!
Posted by: Moe | Oct 08, 2011 at 10:14 AM
Very impressive - am sharing on our fb page!
Posted by: Carolina HeartStrings | Oct 08, 2011 at 11:34 AM
I think this looks marvelous. So much chocolate goodness. Wow!
Posted by: Kulsum at JourneyKitchen | Oct 08, 2011 at 11:52 AM
I think it looks fabulous! I really like the chocolate poured over the cake and the donut holes...all good.
Pat
Posted by: Pat Rutledge | Oct 08, 2011 at 12:57 PM
Are you crazy? It looks great. Wish I was as picky as you about design. And I love cake pops, but where I live they don't sell candy melts, and doing only with chocolate is pretty boring. Although they don't sell donut holes either... guess it's time for a stock-up trip to the states!
Posted by: Country Mouse @ country mouse cooks | Oct 08, 2011 at 01:36 PM
I like that it could be just a fall cake too, since we don't do Halloween. Super cute!
Posted by: Brittni Lasater | Oct 08, 2011 at 04:16 PM
Love it!! http://dontthinkjustfeel-yuka.blogspot.com/
Posted by: Yuka | Oct 08, 2011 at 11:33 PM
Eep! Exciting that you'll be seeing Bakerella soon, I wish I could meet you both! I imagine you two as BFFs! Haha!
Maybe you should both come to NZ!?! Dooooo it!
Posted by: Lydia Grace | Oct 09, 2011 at 04:00 AM
you are just as smart - and pretty, too! such a cute idea. love the way your mind works. xx
Posted by: the urban baker | Oct 09, 2011 at 09:50 AM
I don't know, Amanda, it looks visually appealing to me! I like the chocolate oozing over the cake and the donut holes used~it looks a bit "rustic" for lack of a better word, and I REALLY like it!
Posted by: Sue | Oct 09, 2011 at 12:42 PM
Love this look! Reminds me visually of the Boston Cream Pie (Bread and Chocolate Bakery, Boston) featured on Flay's Throwdown. Not a bad idea to pile on more cake (balls/cubes) and cover all in chocolate! The recipe from their show did not get great reveiws though. I prefer a modified version of this GREAT recipe: http://thedaringkitchen.com/recipe/fresh-fraisiers. Nix the berries and add melted chocolate!
Posted by: Kristin | Oct 09, 2011 at 04:33 PM
Looks delicious!
Posted by: Debbie D | Oct 09, 2011 at 05:04 PM
I have nothing to say besides: I. Love. This. Cake.
Posted by: Jamie | My Baking Addiction | Oct 09, 2011 at 05:54 PM
Wow - this is stunning, Amanda!
Posted by: Kristen | Oct 09, 2011 at 08:03 PM
If that's what you call fake it til, you make it, I can't wait to see the real version of this. Wish I could get just a eensy weensy bite.
Posted by: Amy | Oct 09, 2011 at 08:13 PM
Well, I am no expert but I think the cake looks perfect just as it is... your creativity and talent never cease to amaze me... I always look forward to see what you have come up with!!
Posted by: Nancy@acommunaltable | Oct 10, 2011 at 12:01 AM
I actually lime the 'bumpy' effect. It is Halloween after all. ;). And the winter/snowball idea mentioned above, THAT would be beautiful too!
Posted by: Lorie | Oct 10, 2011 at 06:27 AM
I think it looks fabulous! I wouldn't change a thing....you are amazing.
Posted by: christine@roomsrevealed.com | Oct 10, 2011 at 08:19 AM
I think it's a darling Halloween cake love!
Posted by: Wenderly | Oct 10, 2011 at 08:25 AM
Hi Amanda!
This cake is amazing as everything you do. A daily inspiration for me, a humble portuguese food blogger. Recently I've tried to recreate your lilac cupcakes. You can see the result here:
http://lume-brando.blogspot.com/2011/10/sweet-garden.html
Thanks a lot for your sharing!
Teresa
Posted by: Teresa | Oct 10, 2011 at 08:30 AM
Such a simple yet WONDERFUL idea! Why haven't I thought of this for my hubby who adores doughnut holes! Thanks for figuring out what cake I'll be making for his 52nd birthday next month (which just happens to be the same day as my 50th)!!
Posted by: Lisa Thomas | Oct 10, 2011 at 08:55 AM
I think this is absolutely gorgeous and perfect the way it is!!
Posted by: Deborah | Oct 10, 2011 at 09:37 AM
Wow. This cake looks stunning! I love everything about it. I personally love the doughnut hole look - but maybe that's because I love doughnuts.
Posted by: Russell at Chasing Delicious | Oct 10, 2011 at 10:18 AM
Well I still love the idea of the cake. The donut holes are a good shortcut. But I can't wait to see what cake pops you do. And pouring straight chocolate on top of a cake is so hard to get smooth.
Posted by: naomi | Oct 10, 2011 at 11:12 AM
I think it works well....the pictures of it look beautiful enough...I would love to see the other version of it, if you do decide to make it at some point!! The Donut holes were a great idea though, I love the way they are piled up so high, they just give it a look that demands respect :)
Posted by: Mighty Morgan.com | Oct 10, 2011 at 03:24 PM
oh you silly girl........I love this! and those doughnut holes look incredible! I like that they aren't perfect, but what I really like is all the textures and colors!
Posted by: TidyMom | Oct 10, 2011 at 03:45 PM
I love it just the way it is girl! The pops on top are so fun and whimsical.
Posted by: Georgia Pellegrini | Oct 10, 2011 at 06:30 PM
how unique is THIS! cool!
Posted by: trisha | Oct 10, 2011 at 08:24 PM
This is so cute!! I know I'd have an issue with the donuts disappearing from the top of the cake in this household, though. :)
Posted by: Jen @ My Kitchen Addiction | Oct 10, 2011 at 09:27 PM
This cake looks absolutely sinful... and delicious. I love it!!
Posted by: Nancy | Oct 11, 2011 at 12:02 PM
A belated congratulations on the book - you deserve it! Hugs and blessings to you.
Lisa
Posted by: lisa skiles | Oct 12, 2011 at 06:02 AM
This is such a cute cake. I actually like the chocolate poured over the top - makes it look very "Halloween-y".
Posted by: Cookin' Canuck | Oct 12, 2011 at 07:33 PM
Hello I am not new to the blog, but new to leave a comment, I love this cake! I found it lovely, love the color combination.
Posted by: FunkySteph | Oct 13, 2011 at 01:42 AM
i feel a little hungry...
looks really delicious !!!
Posted by: Juicy | Oct 13, 2011 at 09:17 AM
Cake pops ON a cake!! Love it!! I'm just started outin my baking blogging adventures. Thanks for the inspiration.
Posted by: www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100003018778367 | Oct 13, 2011 at 08:08 PM
this cake is perfect in every aspect!
Posted by: wazzra | Oct 16, 2011 at 09:56 PM
12 days later, and 10 dollars shorter, I was thinking, TRUFFLES! Ok, well, cake. But I wouldn't change a thing. Perfect is all in the eye of the beholder, and as a fellow artist, while we can rip, shred, cut and dice apart our work, we are the only ones that do not see the beauty in lumpy, bumpy and not perfect. I LOVE THIS LOOK. Of course next time I wrap or knit a wire, I may have to pop back over and read my own words, because I am certain I will come up with plenty of things to do differently next time! :) Love the cake!
Posted by: Lori Nusbaum | Oct 18, 2011 at 04:06 PM
The colours and texture - just fantastic! I'm not sure about the donut balls though, I would prefer something more decadent like truffles! :)
Posted by: sneige | Oct 22, 2011 at 04:00 AM