A Southern Grace: calorie shmalorie

September 20, 2011

calorie shmalorie

Yum

I read somewhere that one of the most calorie-laden beverages at Starbucks is the white chocolate mocha. Naturally, it's one of my favorite drinks there.


I'm the kind of person who would rather eat her calories than drink them, so that smooth, rich, luscious drink was the inspiration for my latest cake creation. Here's my end result: The base consists of thinnish layers of soft, fluffy chocolate cake moistened and enriched with a Kahlua-flavored simple syrup. This was tasty on its own, but it was made even more decadent with the addition of a velvety white chocolate mousse between each layer. This was so easy to make, it almost seems unfair that it was so incredible to eat. To finish things off, I brought back my current favorite frosting, a coffee-tinged cream cheese pile of heaven.

With these components combined, I modestly state that I've left Starbucks in the dust. Now, if only I can come up with some way to make it in less than 5 minutes. Also, some sort of drive-through experience might be nice as well...

Double Shot White Chocolate Mocha Cake
one recipe of your favorite chocolate cake

Kahlua simple syrup:
6 oz sugar
6 oz water
4 oz Kahlua coffee liqueur

White Chocolate Mousse Filling:
6 oz white chocolate chips
2 cups heavy cream
1 tbsp sugar

coffee cream cheese frosting

Prepare your chocolate cake and bake it in two 9-inch round pans. Once cool, cut each round in half horizontally.

To prepare the simple syrup, combine the water and sugar in a saucepan and stir over medium heat until the sugar is dissolved. Bring it to a boil, then remove it from the heat. When cool, stir in the Kahlua.

To prepare the mousse, carefully melt the white chocolate and set it aside. Place the heavy cream and sugar in the well-chilled bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the chilled whisk attachment. Whisk on high-speed until stiff peaks form. Remove the bowl from the mixer. By hand, whisk to combine 1/4 of the whipped cream into the melted white chocolate until smooth and completely incorporated. Add the combined whipped cream and chocolate to the remaining whipped cream and use a rubber spatula to fold together.

Prepare the frosting and set it aside.

To assemble, liberally brush the four sides of exposed cake with the simple syrup. Slather the mousse between the halved and syruped layers (stacking as you go), then frost the sides and top in a decorative fashion. Chill for a bit to let things mingle, then slice and serve!

60 comments:

Rosa's Yummy Yums said...

That cake is beautiful! Mmmhhh, a marvelous calorie-laden treat.

Cheers,

Rosa

Becki's Whole Life said...

My husband and I love S'bucks too and I agree about not drinking your calories so I usually try to stick with an Americano or even just their drip coffee. I figure if I don't try all of their fun/sweet drinks I just won't know how good they are.

So this cake looks and sounds absolutely amazing! Your layers look incredibly moist and all of the different fillings and frostings sound like they would be wonderful together. The White chocolate Mousse I could just eat by itself. I would make this with a black magic cake because you put coffee in the batter. My husband's b'day is coming up so I think this cake sounds like it would be a great one to make him.

Sue/the view from great island said...

I too have a strict rule about not drinking my calories...eating them in the form of cake is another matter, though. This looks amazing, as all of your creations do. I especially love the sound of the white chocolate mousse, and the contrast of the white and dark is really beautiful.

A Plum By Any Other Name said...

Totally with you on that one. I'll take solid cake over liquid cake anytime. Especially, if there is coffee somehow involved.

Tracy Lawson said...

Wow, this looks super yummy.....I really need to try this!

Valerie Harrison (bellini) said...

I love the Chai Latte's at Starbucks, but any ca,orie laden drink from there will do:D As for this cake pass me a huge slice please.

kat said...

Yikes, that is one beautiful cake!

Alicia Foodycat said...

Drive through and calorie free would be excellent! I can feel myself putting on weight just looking at that magic creation!

Anonymous said...

Calorie schmalorie = best blog post title EVER! I love this cake idea! I may make it for my mom because that's her favorite drink. For a friend's birthday, I took her favorite coffee drink from a local coffee shop and turned it into a cake: chocolate cake, chocolate mocha ganache buttercream frosting filling, and caramal icing cover. I think you can never go wrong making a great coffee drink into a cake, it always works out wonderful!

The Blonde Duck said...

Who cares about calories when it looks this good!

lisa is cooking said...

First, white chocolate anything, and I'm on board. But, white chocolate mocha in food form? Heaven!

Mimi said...

Just give me a fork!
Mimi

Natalya (Deliciously Suite) said...

It's a known fact that desserts do not have calories. Didn't you know? I love white chocolate in any form and this looks amazing!

giz said...

I still haven't learned not to visit you when I'm hungry; this cake is uber gorgeous. Your cakes get more and more sophisticated as time goes by. You've done your southern roots proud

Marjie said...

I went to a S'bucks once and ordered a plain hot tea. The clerk was very confused, even when I said, "No calories. Lots of caffeine. Very big." The manager had to figure out how to put 2 tea bags and hot water in a quart sized cup.

I'll eat my calories in the form of this cake any day.

Gloria Baker said...

Is my favorite too Grace!! and this cake OMG, is amazing and perfect I think if I make maybe I eat all! Im afraid only for this! je,je,,nice cake, gloria

scrambledhenfruit said...

I'd like a slice with a grande white chocolate mocha to go please!

Anonymous said...

ahhhhh, melt in your mouth and straight to your bottom goodness. #SoWorthIt!

foodhoe said...

that is one drop dead gorgeous cake...hello mousse filling and cream cheese frosting, I'd gladly bypass starbucks obesity inducing shakes for you!

Barbara said...

Thank heaven I don't drink coffee so all my calories can come from this divine cake. OMG.

Lisa-Marie said...

Oh Grace. You are a girl after my own heart. Who pays upwarfds of 3 quid for a coffee and worries about calories?!

This looks spectacular. Definitely one to make for the coffee fiend husband!

Leslie said...

I am totally with you..I would much rather eat my calories than drink them!!! Lovely cake

Lori said...

Wow I bet this is amazing. I so want a bite of that. Where was this cake on my birthday? I will have to remember it for next year.

peachkins said...

White Chocolate Mocha used to be my favorite too! This cake looks fantastic

Hungry Dog said...

Good grief, that is one stunning and fabulous-sounding cake. Nice job, Grace. YOu have definitely given Starbucks a little competition!

Juliana said...

Grace, this cake looks yummie from all perspectives...love the Kahlua liquor and the various layers of cake and mousse...ending with the cream cheese frosting.
Beautiful picture!
Hope you are having a fantastic week :-)

Lorraine @ Not Quite Nigella said...

Mmm this looks great! And I'm like you I'd rather eat calories than drink them. And I'd rather eat this cake for sure! :)

Xiaolu @ 6 Bittersweets said...

Glorious!

Angie's Recipes said...

Sometimes calories do you good! The cake looks phenomenal!

Faith said...

I'm with you, Grace -- I'd rather eat my calories than drink them too! The cake looks great...wish I had a fork and a big slice right now!

Cara said...

I'd so much rather eat my calories too. Much more satisfactory. Can I get an extra dollop, er, bowl of coffee cream cheese frosting on the side? Thankyouverymuch :)

Nutmeg Nanny said...

I'm a fan of their eggnog lattes...which I know are just full of fat. I can't help it. They are so good!

This cake is equally delicious. I wouldn't mind a slice right now. Cake in the morning is my favorite :)

Lisa said...

Gorgeous cake, love those beautiful layers!! This is soooo very tempting right now!

Sam said...

I normally find the more calories something has the tastier it is. This is one nice looking cake, can't wait to try it!

Emily Malloy said...

What's a calorie?

;)

Anonymous said...

With the onset of pumpkin spice latte season as Sbux, I'm having a particularly hard time keeping myself from drinking a lot of calories. Maybe a slice of cake would make it better? This is EXACTLY what I need! Pass a fork!

Half Baked said...

I don't drink my calories either...well except for wine, lots of wine...haha! That cake looks fantastic and has all my favorite flavors!

Carolyn Jung said...

Hey, a girl's gotta live it up once in awhile, right? Enjoy your white chocolate -- any which way you like. ;)

Joanne said...

White chocolate mochas are MY favorite as well! But I'd much rather have them in cake form. you done good.

The Vak Shack said...

Your blog is fantastic! Do you have any posts about Foodsaver machines? Check out my blog and let me know what you think...If you'd like I can send you some free samples if you want to try? Let me know :) Amanda

Kalyan said...

Just mouthwatering...looks so easy to prepare and delicious.

pierre said...

so scrumptious I am in awe!!pierre

Rosita Vargas said...

Exquisito y bello te ha quedado de maravilla,luce espectacular,abrazos grandes.

Barbara said...

You better check out pastry studio today, kiddo. OMG. http://pastrystudio.blogspot.com/2011/09/cinnamon-toast-ice-cream.html

MaryBeth said...

OMG..how amazing is this cake, simply divine Grace.

Pam said...

Drooling! Wish I had a slice right now!

Von said...

I agree- eating calories is so much better than drinking them ;) I'd choose this cake over a Starbuck's drink any day! ;) It looks incredibly decadent- you make the most scrumptious looking cakes! I really want to whip one up right now!

Robin said...

SBUX needs to hire you. Their stuff is nothing compared to your good digs! Yum!

Anonymous said...

Ooooh dear Grace,what a beautiful stylish & elegantly looking piece of a special cake! What a lot of work though, but so worth it!

Looks utterly delicious!
MMMMMMM,...!!!!! :)
A job well done!

Neil | Butterfield said...

Wow! This looks awesome. It would be great with cherries.

shaz said...

Oh my goodness, this sounds so awesome. I had a dessert recently that incorporated white chocolate mousse, and it was divine. Definitely going to give this a try.

Jaime said...

such a beautiful looking cake!

Maria said...

Incredible! This looks amazingly scrumptious and oh so naughty! ;-)

Anonymous said...

Oh man! This cake is gorgeous.

LyB said...

Whoa... That is one tempting slice of cake there, miss Grace!

Aaria said...

It not only looks delicious..but also looks beautiful! Thanks for sharing.. :)

kimberleyblue said...

A Kahlua syrup? Coffee cream cheese frosting? Chocolate cake???? This is the cake of my dreams. Love the Kahlau touch!

Anonymous said...

this looks beyond heavenly!

http://fourteaspoons.blogspot.com/

Tia said...

wow i want a slice now!

Yvonne said...

Made this for Christmas and it was a huge hit. Now my adult daughter has requested I make it for her birthday. Thanks for this great recipe.