Goooood morning everyone, how are you all? Ok, I will dispense with the small talk considering I promised you no more guest posts for a while and you are glaring daggers at me but hear. me. out. I am not sure if you remember but a couple of weeks back, in August, I guestposted over at Cakewhiz- A Cake Geek’s Resource. Now, this blog is run by Abeer and if you have not heard of it already, I am sorry to say but I must remove that rock you have been living under 😉
I asked Abeer if some time, she would like to guest post one of her masterpieces one day here. Yes, I did say masterpiece because Ms Abeer is. an. absolute. artist. I do not even know where to begin with her decorating skills, baking and cooking skills and the fact that everything she makes could be put up on display in some high-flying location.
Not even kidding you… if you go to her blog you are bombarded by fabulous fondant, exquisite ruffling and basic cake design gone over the top in a very good way 😀
So yes, Abeer agreed to guest post and that was for my holidays 🙂 – Aaaah, I see the eyes light up in excitement now 😀
Without further ado, I present Abeer with another awesome creation (which is even a little healthy) and very easy on the eye – I hope you all enjoy it and Abeer, thank you very much for making this cake for today 😀
**********************************************************************************
Hey guys! I am Abeer, the face behind a little blog called “Cakewhiz- A Cake Geek’s Resource.” I love dressing up my desserts and making them look pretty, especially CAKES!
Call me crazy but this is the way I see it… we eat through our eyes AND our mouth. Cakes will only end up tasting sweeter when they are “dolled up” and “beautified.”
When Uru asked if I could possibly do a guest post for her, I was quite taken back coz her recipes are to die for! Seriously, I go into a chocolate-induced coma (the good kind) every time I visit her blog. But, she is such a darling that I had to go an extra mile with the recipe I am sharing today.
I only hope my chocolate spinach cake with leaf prints is just as good as her fantastic recipes!
The inspiration for making leaf prints on a cake came quite randomly…I was preparing dinner and god knows why, I stopped to admire the veins and intricate details on a mint leaf. I am odd like that … I tend to zone out every once in a while…hehehe.
I do have to admit that making these prints brought back memories from my childhood. You see…as a kid, I used to enjoy making leaf prints on poster boards and in one unfortunate incident, I even made leaf prints all over the house walls…hahaha. Needless to say, my parents were pissed… hahahah.
Oh… to be a child again…lol
I made this cake for a friend’s party and on my way there, there is a beautiful park. So, I stopped to take photographs.
If I wasn’t running late, I would have taken some pictures of this park as well. The scenery there was just breath-taking. They even had this old-fashioned water pump or maybe it’s a water fountain… it was pretty neat!
Like I mentioned earlier, underneath all the decorations, you will find a delicious chocolate spinach cake.
You must be thinking I am out of my mind for making such an odd cake. But honest to goodness, it is unbelievably delicious!
It’s very rich with a strong chocolate flavor AND the best part is you you can’t even taste all that spinach.
It took a few tries to get this cake just right but it was completely worth it since you won’t feel TOO guilty indulging in this “awesomeness.”
Chocolate-Spinach Cake w/ Leaf Prints
Ingredients:
- 2 cups flour
- 1 1/2 cup sugar
- 1/2 cup cocoa powder
- 1/2 cup olive oil
- 1/2 cup water
- 1 1/2 cup hot milk
- 2 tbsp vanilla extract
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup finely chopped spinach ( no puree…I was scared that would make it bitter)
- 1 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1 1/2 tsp baking soda
Method:
- In a deep bowl, add flour, sugar, cocoa powder, olive oil, water, vanilla extract, eggs, baking powder and baking soda. Mix everything until it’s well-blended
- Add finely chopped spinach and hot milk. Mix again.
- Pour batter into a greased/floured cake pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes or until an inserted toothpick comes out clean.I used an 8×3 round pan and it was filled about 3/4 of the way…I still had some leftover batter for a few cupcakes)
Let’s do the cool stuff now and make leaf prints. These are the steps:
- Dip your paintbrush in some edible color (I used Wilton’s fondant colors… they are very concentrated and work nicely). Now, brush this paint onto your mint leaf. You will need to use different mint leaves for each color that you use. Also, make sure you have a few mint leaves handy coz after brushing paint on them multiple times, they get very limp and tear easily.
- Roll out some white fondant and sprinkle powdered sugar to prevent sticking. Make sure you don’t roll it too thin. I kept it quite thick. Press the painted leaf onto this fondant gently.
- Now, carefully peel the mint leaf away from the fondant and you will see a leaf print.
- Do this as many times as you need to and in different colors. Then, use a pair of scissors and cut around each leaf roughly. No need for accurate cutting… it looks better slightly jagged. **TIP: After making leaf prints on a sheet of white fondant, let it just sit on the table for an hour or so. The air dries up the fondant a little and cutting it becomes easier.
- To paste these leaf prints onto your cake, brush some water behind each piece. Don’t brush too much water coz it gets very sticky and sloppy.
- Stick these pieces onto your fondant-covered cake. I applied them in a random pattern. You can try different patterns…
- For the border, I rolled out three “snakes” of white fondant and pinched them together at the very top. Then, I started braiding them just like I braid my hair…hehe…
- Once again, brush some water behind the braid and stick it around the base of your cakes.
And you are done!
Quite cool…right?
You can even see the delicate leaf veination!
I think this “leafy” cake is perfect way to bid farewell to Summer and welcome Fall. What do you think?
And that’s enough yapping from me… I hope all of you liked this cake and I would love to stay in touch with you through either Facebook, Twitter or Pinterest.
Thanks for having me Uru… doing a guest post here has been a pleasure.
**********************************************************************************
Did I or did I not tell you her guest post would be absolutely insanely awesome? Spinach, chocolate, cake, design + a full tutorial too! Thank you so much Abeer, I already know how much everyone enjoyed it 😀
Your results were utterly utterly utterly inspiring!
Before I leave, I would just like to drop a quick note to one of my best friends, TT, whose birthday was today – SHE TURNED THE BIG 1-7 😀 😀 😀 – Of course, because of that blasted fever thing, I was unable to make her… cheeseburger-spider-concoction (code word guys, don’t worry that is not really it ;)) so hopefully I will be making, giving and posting it to – HAPPY BIRTHDAY MY OREO-OBSESSED BUD!
I tried a chocolate cake with spinach and it was delicious. I am sure that this recipe is perfect! The decoration is so beautiful!!
LikeLike
Abeer, you are a perfect match for guest blogging on Go Bake Yourself. You have an admirable appreciation of chocolate, are willing to experiment (with a veggie, no less!) and you came up with an amazing design. Thanks so much for being here, and, CCU, thanks for having her.
LikeLike
Wow-just beautiful! I agree Abeer is an artist. Thanks for sharing.
LikeLike
WOW…incredible.
LikeLike
Love the braid details! I can tell you I would be a total wreck with fondant – I am way too impatient and fumbly!
LikeLike
So pretty–and what an education on decorating technique!
LikeLike
Wowzers!! Beautiful and inspiring. Just so cool.
LikeLike
Wow,
This cake looks gorgeous!
LikeLike
Gorgeous cake and with healthy spinach too…. Now that’s worth applauding!!!
LikeLike
I have never seen anything like this, gorgeous!!
LikeLike
Wow Abeer’s cakes are seriously amazing! Too good to eat, although I would do anything to have a piece of that cake right now. 😀
LikeLike
WOW, spectacular work! I’m so impressed with Abeer’s creativity! Thanks Uru & Abeer for sharing a unique cake recipe 🙂
LikeLike
WOW. At first, I wasn’t even sure if that was a cake! That’s an edible work of art right there! 😀 Fabulous guest post!! (btw, no dirty looks from me! I love discovering new foodie blogs! ^_^)
Thanks for swinging by my blog earlier this week, Uru!! 🙂
I hope you both have fab weekends.
Toodles,
Tammy<3
LikeLike
No problem Tammy I am loving your blog 😀
Cheers
CCU
LikeLike
How wonderfully unusual! Love the collaboration and outcome!
LikeLike
What a cool cake!!
LikeLike
Love Abeer’s blog. Such a talented baker and artist!!
LikeLike
Wow, this is so-so cool!
LikeLike
the leaf prints are soooooo pretty!
LikeLike
oh my gosh, such a great post! gorgeous and creative cake!
LikeLike
A crazy wonderful cake, both of you! Such inventiveness (is that a word or am I inventing it??) Lovely guest post!
LikeLike
How lovely! I especially like the braid around the edges of the cake.
LikeLike
Oh wow, this is one of the loveliest cakes I’ve ever seen. And just perfect for the Fall that just started in the States. Awesome guest post!
LikeLike
This cake is soooo cool!! How creative!!
LikeLike
wow! this is so creative! I’ve never seen anything like it!
LikeLike
WOW,
so INTERESTING :))))
LikeLike
A wonderful suggestion. It’s kind of like prune cake – absolutely delicious and everyone loves it but don’t let the name out until after everyone is done eating…especially kids! 🙂
LikeLike
So wonderful to see two amazing bloggers working together
I love the idea of the leaf print Abeer..I do tend to space out too and happened to notice the intercate pattern of a mint leaf but never thought of making something as wonderful as this with it
LikeLike
Spinach in a cake? That’s the perfect way to sneak in veggies!
LikeLike
Abeer’s detail work is simply amazing – super skillful!! I only wish I lived closer so I can ask to make my children’s birthday cakes. 🙂 Never seen so artistic cakes before I found her blog!
LikeLike
Wow! I am really intrigued by the idea of spinach in a cake. I know it must have amazing depth of flavor. The presentation is so original.
LikeLike
As you know, I’m a huge fan of incorporating Kale into my smoothies so this isn’t too far fetched and sounds interesting! I may have to give it a go =D
LikeLike
The cake looks gorgeous and indeed it is a work of art. No doubt she is very talented ,I have seen some of her creations before.
LikeLike
What a beautiful cake! I bet the spinach assists in creating a moist cake. Love the leaves!
LikeLike
Abeer is a super genius!!! I always LOVE going over to Cakewiz to oogle the goodness. Fabulous guest post. Spinach cake? Sign me up!
LikeLike
A chocolate and spinach cake, mmmmm. Not sure but am willing to give it a try. Beautifully decoratd cake, so creative.
LikeLike
Thannks for the sweet comments everyone and Uru, it was so much fun guest posting for your lovely blog 🙂
LikeLike
that is truly original, but it structure and decoration!
LikeLike
I never would have imagined that chocolate and spinach would go together — least of all in a cake! WOW. Your were right. An awesome post. We do eat with our eyes, too
LikeLike
Wow, that is really so creative! 😮
LikeLike
I have been a huge fan of Abeer for years! Her work is just amazing…and here is another example of gorgeous cake! I love the braid trim. Great guest post, Uru…have a wonderful weekend!
LikeLike
Chocolate and spinach!! Who would”ve thought! Those fondants look awesome!!
LikeLike
Spinach and Chocolate! I do believe that’s the best way to get a hit of my greens…ever! 🙂
LikeLike
art and craft, vegetables and cake?? This is the perfect combination for baking with my kids! Nice work.
LikeLike
I love the addition of spinach! Feel better soon Uru 🙂
LikeLike
What a great way of hiding vegetables in a cake! And that is one gorgeous cake… love the imprints.
LikeLike
What gorgeous cake and those leaves are amazing! It would be quite hard to eat this because it just too pretty. I wouldn’t know where to start cutting! Can’t believe it has spinach in it! Nice to meet you Abeer!
LikeLike
Abeer is great. Her stuff is amazing and this cake is no exception. Great guest post.
LikeLike
I love the leaf prints! What a beautiful cake and I have to say now I”m curious about spinach cake 🙂
LikeLike
You are truly an artist Abeer. Great to meet you! I get amazed everyday at the talent we have amongst us….can make us feel pedestrian at times.
Feel better soon Uru!
LikeLike
That is one great looking cake! And I love the spinach add-in.
LikeLike
Chocolate and spinach? How interesting! Looks great 🙂
LikeLike
Outstanding! I love it! You are so creative!
LikeLike
Spinach in CAKE?! It’s like this recipe was meant for me. I put spinach in EVERYTHING. And now I will add it to cake.
LikeLike
Your friend is quite an artist and Im glad you kept yourself busy while I was away. I personally would call spinach “adventurous” and maybe have a try (especially when it looks so good) but I think I would be too scared to do it myself. I tend to stick to my easy-peasy chocolate :))
I’m sending you loads of huggs and smileys
Best Wishes
Little Housewife
P.S
Love the new layout, its definitely more on the bright side then the last one Ive seen 😉
LikeLike
It is so nice to hear from you again my friend, welcome back 😀
Thank you!
Cheers
CCU
LikeLike
That’s an incredible looking cake and I love the leaf prints. I’ve never baked a chocolate and spinach cake before. It would be interesting to see how it tastes. xx
LikeLike
This truly is artwork! I would certainly not feel guilty have a large slice of this beauty. Afterall it has spinach in it! Thanks Uru and Abeer.
LikeLike
Amazing cake! So creative and with spinach – wow!
LikeLike
That’s gorgeous, you are so very talented 🙂
LikeLike
Gorgeous. As always!
LikeLike
This is something for me .. but I will only bake the cake .. not all the fancy bits – would take me days to do. Stunning looking cake, you’re some star! Have baked with fresh basil before – and it has become one my favorite desserts now. This I will try very so – will come back to you.
LikeLike
I love how the cake looks! Just beautiful – Abeer is truly an artist!
LikeLike
Beautiful cake! Interesting with the spinach, but I’m assuming it must make the cake nice and moist.
LikeLike
Holy cow. Beautiful job! What an artist. I would love to eat a slice of that 🙂 or maybe, two, so I could get all the extra vitamins and iron from that spinach!
LikeLike
Loving the way you put a positive spin on eating chocolate cake 😀
Cheers
CCU
LikeLike
Truly beautiful, Abeer is incredibly talented. There are zucchini loaves, why not spinach cake. Love it!
LikeLike
Goooood morning back to ya, Uru. 🙂 Now that looks like an unusual cake from your friend! Spinach in it? … that confirms it! LOL
LikeLike
A very artistic presentation and the green fondant ties in with the spinach in the cake. Speaking of the cake, it kind of reminds me of an old fashioned barstool. 🙂
LikeLike
Haha it reminded me of a mushroom for some reason 😉
Cheers
CCU
LikeLike
Amazing that you can combine spinach, olive oil, and chocolate and turn it into THIS… it’s wonderful! Your randomly shaped leaf cut outs on the cake capture the spontaneity of falling leaves, too, Abeer — really a great guest post! (Hope you’re feeling better, Uru!)
LikeLike
Whoa!! Spinach cake?? And the leaf prints – truly over the top!
LikeLike
OK, if it’s Cake Whiz we definitely want another guest post. She’s an amazing baker and this masterpiece is no exception. I can’t believe how great she is with decorating things. Very nice guest post.
LikeLike
Wow, Uru, thanks for sharing!! Abeer, I am definitely a new fan. That cake looks absolutely beautiful and spinach cakes are right up my alley…my sister has been known to turn up her nose at my avocado brownies and beet chocolate cakes (which I love!) 🙂
LikeLike
I think if you try this cake on her, she will not have a clue 😉
Cheers
CCU
LikeLike
Oh my gorgeous cake! And spinach??? My mind is blown.
LikeLike
how clever! Great guest post
LikeLike
Wow this is a crazy amazing looking cake. You are very talented!
LikeLike
Wow! Those are such beautiful leaves! Truly an artist indeed. 🙂
LikeLike