Foodie Pen Pal: Tunnel of Fudge Redux

FOODIE PEN PAL TIME!!!  I love getting my foodie pen pal package.  I really enjoy making the package.  It is all so much fun and so yummy!!

These are all the goodies I received from the amazing Amanda!  I loved all the treats and pasta!  She also sent me a recipe for Chocolate Cake and my oh my it was intense!! A very dark chocolate cake, I needed ice cream with it and then it was amazing!!

And now it’s time for some details about Foodie Penpals.  In case you’re a new reader, here’s a reminder of what the program is all about: -On the 5th of every month, you will receive your penpal pairing via email. It will be your responsibility to contact your penpal and get their mailing address and any other information you might need like allergies or dietary restrictions. -You will have until the 15th of the month to put your box of goodies in the mail. On the last day of the month, you will post about the goodies you received from your penpal!  -The boxes are to be filled with fun foodie things, local food items or even homemade treats! The spending limit is $15. The box must also include something written. This can be anything from a note explaining what’s in the box, to a fun recipe…use your imagination! -You are responsible for figuring out the best way to ship your items depending on their size and how fragile they are. (Don’t forget about flat rate boxes!) -Foodie Penpals is open to blog readers as well as bloggers. If you’re a reader and you get paired with a blogger, you are to write a short guest post for your penpal to post on their blog about what you received. If two readers are paired together, neither needs to worry about writing a post for that month.  -Foodie Penplas is open to US & Canadian residents.  Please note, Canadian Residents will be paired with other Canadians only. We’ve determined things might get too slow and backed up if we’re trying to send foods through customs across the border from US to Canada and vice versa.  If you’re interested in participating for May, please CLICK HERE to fill out the participation form and read the terms and conditions. You must submit your information by May 4th as pairings will be emailed on May 5th! *If you’re from somewhere besides the US, Canada or Europe and want to participate, send me an email and I’ll see if we get enough interest this month!

You can see the tunnel of fudge in the picture!  That was my favorite part!!  I sent my package over to Amber at Quidditch, Weight loss, and Being a Teenager.

Tunnel of Fudge Redux

This recipe was given to me by my Foodie Pen Pal Amanda.

Ingredients:

• 1 1/4 cups unsalted butter, at room temperature
• 3/4 cup cocoa powder
• 3 ounces bittersweet chocolate
• 1/2 cup boiling water
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 cups confectioners sugar
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup cacao nibs
• 1 cup packed dark brown sugar
• 3/4 cup granulated sugar
• 5 large eggs
• 1 tablespoon vanilla extract

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.  Grease the bundt cake and dust with cocoa powder.

2. Place the bittersweet chocolate in a small heatproof bowl.  Pour the boiling water over the chocolate and whisk until smooth.  Let cool to room temperature before using.

3. Whisk together the cocoa powder with the flour, confectioners sugar, salt, and cacao nibs in a large bowl until thoroughly combined.

4. Beat the butter with the brown sugar and granulated sugar on medium speed for 2-3 minutes.  When it is light and fluffy, beat in the eggs, one at a time, and then beat in the vanilla.  Add the cooled melted chocolate mixture and beat until just combined.  With the mixer on low, add the flour mixture and beat until just combined.

5. Pour the batter into the prepared pan, smooth the top, and bake for about 45 minutes, until the edges begin to pull away from the sides of the pan.  (Don’t use a cake tester for this cake- it won’t come out clean.)  Let the cake cool in the pan on a wire rack for 1 hour and 30 minutes.  Do not try to take the cake out of the pan any earlier than this!  Then invert the cake onto the rack and let it cool completely (another 1 hour and 30 minutes to 2 hours.)  Drizzle the cake with the ganache (see recipe below) and let it set for 5 to 10 minutes before serving.

Bittersweet Chocolate Ganache

Ingredients:

• 4 ounces bittersweet chocolate, chopped
• 1/3 cup heavy cream

Directions:

1. Put the chopped bittersweet chocolate in a heatproof bowl.  In a small saucepan over medium-low heat, heat the cream to scalding (which means little bubbles form around the edge of cream but before it begins to boil).  Pour the cream over the chocolate, cover, and let sit for about 3 minutes, or until the chocolate has melted.  Whisk and drizzle over the cake.

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