Looking for an Easter Cake to serve as a centerpiece at the annual Easter Dinner? Easter basket shaped cakes have been all the rage for years; most versions are composed of plain cake from a mix with overly-sweet frosting that looks very cute and impressive, but unfortunately tastes just like a plain cake from a mix with overly-sweet frosting - very pedestrian. The following Rich and Decadent Easter Basket Cake is also cute and impressive, but any similarity to the pedestrian version ends here. This cake is a dense homemade chocolate cake, soaked while warm with liqueur or non-alcoholic coffee syrup (for extra moistness), covered with rich ganache and frosted with French Cream Icing. The cake can be baked in a large oven-safe bowl so that it resembles a basket; a handle can even be added, if desired. Decorations include tinted coconut and Cadbury chocolate eggs; marshmallow chicks or rabbits can also be added.


20 Servings

Cake:
1/2 cup butter
1 cup sugar
1 cup brown sugar
2 eggs
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 cup buttermilk
2 ounces unsweetened baking chocolate, melted
2 cups flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup hottest tap water
1 teaspoon baking soda

1/3 cup chocolate liqueur, or chocolate coffee syrup

Ganache:
1 cup whipping cream
1 cup highest quality semi-sweet chocolate chips

French Cream Icing:
1 cup milk
5 tablespoons flour

1 cup butter
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 cup sugar

Garnish:
3/4 cup flaked coconut
4 to 5 drops green food coloring

Cadbury Mini Eggs

1. Preheat oven to 350°.


2. Spray an oven-proof bowl (approximately 11 or 12" in diameter) with Baker's Joy or grease and flour.


3. Cream the butter and sugars; add eggs, vanilla, buttermilk, and chocolate; mix well.


4. Stir in the flour and salt.


5. Mix the hot water and baking soda and add to the batter; stir until smooth.


6. Pour into the prepared bowl and bake about 1 hour, or until the cake has pulled away from the sides and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.


7. Loosen the sides with a knife and invert onto a cooling rack.


8. After the cake has cooled for 10 minutes, invert onto a serving platter.


9. Poke holes over the top with a fork; pour the coffee syrup or liqueur over the cake.


10. Meanwhile, just before the cake is done, make the ganache: Mix the whipping cream and semi-sweet chocolate chips in a microwaveable container; microwave 2 minutes, let sit 1 minute, then whisk until thick.


11. Pour the hot ganache over the top of the warm cake and spread evenly.


12. Let the cake cool thoroughly. If in a hurry, refrigerate or place in the freezer for a few minutes.


13. French Cream Icing: Place the milk and flour in the blender and blend until smooth; transfer to a microwaveable container.


14. Microwave 3-5 minutes, or until boiling (whisk after 2 1/2 minutes and again after boiling); place a piece of plastic wrap directly over the top of the mixture and let cool.


15. Whip the butter, vanilla, and sugar with an electric mixer until very light and fluffy; add the cooled milk/flour mixture and beat until smooth.


16. Spread over the cooled ganache.


17. To decorate: Place the coconut with a few drops liquid green food coloring in a jar with a tight fitting lid; shake until the coconut is tinted; sprinkle over the French Cream Icing.


18. Top with Cadbury eggs or other Easter decorations; store in the refrigerator.

Amount Per Serving
Calories 429 Calories from Fat 223
Percent Total Calories From: Fat 52% Protein 4% Carb. 43%

Nutrient Amount per Serving
Total Fat 25 g
Saturated Fat 15 g
Cholesterol 77 mg
Sodium 273 mg
Total Carbohydrate 46 g
Dietary Fiber 0 g
Sugars 20 g
Protein 4 g

Vitamin A 15% Vitamin C 0% Calcium 0% Iron 5%