Beer & Cake, yes please!
I know what you are thinking…”Raven, beer & cake? Those just really don’t go together!” ….. ^that is a cake plate btdubs. Just in case you were’a’wonderings.
Oh, but they do! I promise you they do! Especially when the cake has nuts on it. I mean isn’t that the age old thing to do when you drink beer? Eat some nuts?
Anyways…my guy is what you would call a beer man. He loooooves beer. Last year for Christmas I got him the “Beer of the Month” club, which is where Amazing Clubs sends you different beers each month (depending on how many months you purchase). They have all sorts of gifts too! You should check it out for anyone you know, they have something for everyone. I mean, if you really can’t think of something to get someone who is close to you. Try this out, you won’t regret it! This year my mom and I got my dad the “BBQ sauce of the Month” club. He was super excited!
Back to beer, so this year I couldn’t get him the same thing as last year, so I decided to hand pick some micro-brew beers that I thought he might like. Check’em out…
I have to say that I did a really nice job picking these out. They each had a really unique flavor but none that were so overpowering that you couldn’t still enjoy that you were having a beer. You know what I mean? Those beers that kind of make you pucker and then reach for a glass of water. Ick!
My personal favorite out of the bunch was the Alaskan Amber. Which I just found out that you can purchase online haha. It had a really nice color and it was very close to the unfiltered wheat type beers that I like. I normally stay away from the darker in color beers, unless it is Yuengling ;-), but this one was really yummy.
“So what does this have to do with cake Raven?”
It has everything to do with Cake!!
THIS is Christmas cake…
Christmas Cake is another one of those traditions that I was telling you about in my last post. This cake is something that we have only once a year and it is at Christmas time. So that is where the name “Christmas Cake” comes from.
As you can see, it is a 6 layer cake that has almonds, whipped cream, and chocolate mousse. Now, since the recipe for the cake, mousse, and whipped cream is most sacred I cannot divulge it (Sorry Dionne! I know she is going to ask me for the recipe anyways π haha), but that is something you can find recipes for very easily with a google search.
Ingredients for Christmas Cake:
- 3 square 9″ Chocolate cakes, cut in half
- whipped cream
- roasted almonds, sliced
- chocolate mousse
Now, I am just going to describe the assembly of the cake because I am sure most of you very able cooks know how to bake a cake, make chocolate mousse, AND whip up some whipping cream.
Level out your cakes and cut them in half. This will create your layers for this monstrosity. In a bowl to the side, mix together roasted almonds in chocolate mousse. After you have done this place the bottom layer on your cake pan and smooth over mousse with nuts. Make the mousse layer about a 1/4″ thick.
Place the next layer of cake on top of that and smooth over a healthy portion of whipped cream. Place in the refrigerator for about 10 minutes so the cake can slightly set.
Repeat this process until you have no more layers of cake left. **One piece of advice. Use straws. Yes, I said it. Use straws. This is a HUGE cake and it is going to need some internal support. So, once you get the second round of 2 layers on top of the first, place 3-4 straws in the cake. This will help I promise!**
Once you have it stable, put the rest of your whipped cream on the outside of the cake, it doesn’t need to look pretty so just slap it on there. Sprinkle with your almonds, and TADA! You are done! (make sure you keep it refrigerated when you aren’t eating it)
This is one of the best cakes to have around and you want to know the best part? It freezes awesome! If you can’t eat it all, then just put it in the freezer for a rainy day :-).Β Personally, I could sit back with a nice cold brew and have a piece of this and be in heaven haha.
Happy Wednesday (Thursday for me!) everyone!
33 Comments
Green Girl @ A little bit of everything
I don’t like beer, actually I’m not a big fan of any alchoolic beverage but I sure do like the sound of your Christmas cake. Chocolate and nuts, what’s not to love?
Thanks for sharing
Happy holidays
RavieNomNoms
Well you can always just enjoy the cake! No need to drink the beer, just enjoy the mountain I call a cake π
the constant hunger
I love traditions that aren’t traditional, if that makes sense. I think it’s great to incorporate beer into Christmas celebrations that are usually dominated by eggnog. And that cake is out of this world.
RavieNomNoms
I know exactly what you mean! We are more beer people in my family so the eggnog has really never been a part of what we do for Christmas! I am happy you enjoy our quirky tradition!
Dionne Baldwin
HAHA! You sure called that one, but I’ll make do. π I’ve never tried Yuengling but I think I should. I’ve been appreciating more beers. I’d pair it with cake! If you say it’s good I’ll try it!
RavieNomNoms
haha yeeeuup! You definitely should try Yuengling whenever you get the chance. It is a great beer!
Emily @Cleanliness
Cake and beer go with absolutely everything.
Emily @Cleanliness
…Oh and you touched my Pennsylvanian heart with the Yuengling business π
RavieNomNoms
Haha, yay another PA girl!
Evan @swEEts
Such a tease! but I totally respect secret family recipes π It looks like it would be amazing! And I have no doubt beer and cake are good together.. beer is even good IN some cakes! Happy New Year Ravie!!
RavieNomNoms
I know! You are a woman after my own heart! Beer and cake should always go together haha. Happy New Year missy!
Amy
Beer and Cake certainly do go together! Hope you had a wonderful Christmas, and Happy New Year!
RavieNomNoms
Thanks Amy, Happy New Year to you!
briarrose
Wow….that is an epic cake. I could get behind a tradition like this. π
RavieNomNoms
That is the perfect word for it, epic haha. π
Drick
very beautiful cake…. know it was scrumptious…have a blessed New Years..
RavieNomNoms
Thank you! Happy New Years!
therealnutritionist
Who doesn’t love beer and cake? I mean, the two most perfect things EVER! That cake is gorgeous. Seriously gorgeous.
RavieNomNoms
That is what I am saying! Everyone loves beer and cake π Thank you very much!
Priscilla - She's Cookin'
I’ve had beer and brownies, but never beer and cake. But there’s a first time for everything and your Christmas Cake looks like the ultimate cake! I love reading about everyone’s holiday traditions – its what makes the holidays so special π Happy New Year to you and your guy!
RavieNomNoms
Thanks for visiting Priscilla! Glad you enjoyed the traditions! π Hope you had a great holiday!
Kim - Liv Life
I’ll take the Longboard, please!! Actually my favorite beer is the Firerock Pale Ale from the Kona Brewing Co. I’m a bit partial to Anchor Steam as well, and a local brewery, Karl Strauss has a lovely Red Trolley Ale that works nicely too!
Love the cake, even without the recipe, and I most certainly would enjoy it will beer!
Thanks for your comments on our blog. Your comment about the Tomato Skewers was actually what spurred me to make that post! Thank you, that one I owe all to you!
RavieNomNoms
Oh I am so glad! I was so very happy to see that post after I had made a comment on how much I loved them. The skewers just looked so yummy, I couldn’t not comment! π
The Longboard was one of my favorites actually, very good. But I am partial to the lagers π
Mina @ Angellove's Cooking
Beer & Cake??? YES, please!!!! π Your cake looks gorgeous!!! Happy New 2011!! Cheers
RavieNomNoms
You too Mina! Thanks so much!
Lisa { AuthenticSuburbanGourmet }
Love the beer of the month club – I bet you both taste some amazing beers. The cake looks so simple yet full of flavor. Yummy!! Wishing you a very Happy New Year!!
RavieNomNoms
I love it too Lisa! It is such a great gift and the beers were so phenomenal! Each month new ones came and it was so exciting! haha
Josh
mmmm….the cake….the last time I had that was the last time Cindy and I came to visit with the boys at when you graduated high school….I think that’s the one time Mom’s made it when it wasn’t Christmas-time. π
RavieNomNoms
hahaha, you are probably right! She almost never makes that cake, it is such a treat when she does! Miss you big brother, xox
fooddreamer
That is one GORGEOUS cake! And I can imagine beer and cake together quite easily, actually.
RavieNomNoms
Couldn’t agree more!
Megan
heavens… that cake is enough to celebrate… who needs Christmas! I can’t believe how tall it is! Love the gift ideas for the sauces and or beer. Glad your dad was thrilled! – megs
RavieNomNoms
haha Thanks Megan!