Saturday, May 21, 2011

Chocolate-Praline Bundt Cake + Cajun Fun on the Bayou

Here's a Cajun delight that I love to make for special occasions or when I'm having guests. When I was invited to a wedding shower recently and asked to bring a dessert, I knew exactly what I wanted to bring. This rich, delectable cake is out of this world and will have you going back for more and is even more decadent when you add a little bourbon! Cheers! Bon appetit!

Chocolate-Praline Bundt Cake

2 sticks butter
1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa
1 cup water
1/8 cup bourbon (optional)
1/2 cup buttermilk
2 eggs
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. vanilla or almond extract
2 cups sugar
2 cups flour
1/2 tsp. salt


Spray a bundt  pan with Baker's Joy, baking spray. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. On low heat, cook the first three ingredients in a saucepan, stirring constantly, until butter melts and mixture is smooth. Remove from heat and allow to cool.


In large bowl, beat buttermilk, eggs, baking soda, and extract, with an electric mixer, until smooth. Add butter mixture to buttermilk mixture, beating until well blended. In small bowl, combine the remaining dry ingredients and add to the bowl, beating until well blended.


Pour into prepared bundt cake pan and bake at 350 degrees for 25 to 30 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool completely on wire rack and invert on cake plate, before frosting. (recipe below)

Praline Frosting

1/4 cup butter
1 cup brown sugar
1/3 cup whipping cream
1 cup powdered sugar
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1 cup chopped pecans

Bring first three ingredients to a boil in a 2 quart saucepan and boil for 1 minute, stirring often. Remove from heat and whisk in vanilla extract and powdered sugar until smooth. Stir in pecans and stir gently for about 3 minutes or until frosting begins to cool and thicken. Frost immediately because it will harden quickly. And yes, you will want to lick the spoon! Cest bon, cher!


I'll be sharing this cake at  Sweet Treats Thursday, It's a Hodgepodge Friday, Friday Potluck,  Sweets for a Saturday, Saturday Nite SpecialSunday Showcase, A Themed Baker's Sunday, and Savory Sundays. Join in the fun!

******
Cajun Fun on the Bayou

We had an absolute blast at the Spring Finale' of Rhythm's on the River in River Ranch on Thursday evening. An enormous crowd gathered to see the fabulous Marcia Ball and her talented band.


The honky tonk sounds of this fantastic band filled the Town Square and they were really jammin'up a storm. Marcia plays a mean keyboard and her soulful brand of Louisiana boogie is the best!


It was a warm and sultry evening and the drink booths were hoppin' and the wine was flowing. After all, it has been a very stressful week in Cajun country and it was almost the weekend.


Many were coming straight from work and decided to indulge in a nice dinner while relaxing with friends on the patio at the City Club. Others opted for the Chicken and Sausage Jambalaya at the Rouse's Market booth. Yum!



Then of course, there was plenty of dancing to work that dinner off and to relieve the stress of the work week. Cajuns consider dancing a good form of therapy and love every minute of it!


I took quite a few clips, that I will be sharing with ya'll, but here is my fave. My friend, Tom, was cutting the rug and really twirling that lucky girl around. This one's for you, cher!



Hope ya'll have a wonderful weekend, filled with fun! Merci beaucoup for stopping by!

34 comments:

The Harried Cook said...

I love how gorgeous that bundt cake is! And I think the glaze sounds fabulous! :) Thank you for sharing! Sounds like a fun evening at River Ranch! :)

Anonymous said...

Praline frosting...OMG...does that sound great... what a fun time you guys had... I loved the music...thanks for sharing the cool music and video...
Have a wonderful Saturday...
Take Care,

Karen Jones Gowen said...

Your posts always make me want to move to Cajun country. I am thinking my life is pretty dull here!

Joanne said...

I like that maxi dress Tom's dance partner is wearing. They're so in style this season, and looks fun to dance in too!

California Girl said...

Tom really does cut a rug; he's fun to watch.

That cake is to die for.

How are you doing with all the flooding? You're inland from the river, yes?

Pooch Purple Reign said...

im hoping an occasion comes up for me to make that cake. it definitely needs to be shared
have a great weekend
~laura xx

Honey at 2805 said...

Chocolate! Be still my heart!

Meg Luby said...

you had me at "chocolate-praline"! thanks for sharing! i adore this :)
-meg
@ http://clutzycooking.blogspot.com

Rosaria Williams said...

Chocolate, pecans and bourbon are always a great combination, especially if you can work off those calories with that funky music. Yeah!

hidden art of homemaking said...

I just love your blog..
always makes me feel the happiness from your dancing clips...and the cake is so yummy looking....might have to try it even if I am not a baker...

Marguerite said...

THC- Thanks so much for the nice compliments! This cake if fab and I hope you try it. You're welcome, it was a blast!

ffd- Thanks, the praline frosting is sinfully delicious! It was so much fun and you're so welcome. I'm so glad that you enjoyed it, cher! Have a great weekend!

Karen- Thanks so much for your sweet comment! I wish that you lived here, too, it's is a very fun place to live!

Joanne- I love long summer dresses, like hers, too, and live in them in the summer. Hope you have a great weekend, cher!

Cal. Girl- Yes, he can, and he's fun to dance with, too! Thanks, hope you give it a try! Yes, Lafayette is about 15 miles west of the flooding, on the Cajun Prairie. The water is rising very slowly and is not expected to be quite as bad as they originally predicted. Thank God!

Pooch- Thanks, this cake is great anytime, but just make sure that you have others to help eat it, or you could end up eating the whole thing! :)

bj said...

Oh, it looks like ya'll had a blast..so glad.

That cake is so amazing and I am on my way to the store for buttermilk and pecans. I have all the other ingredients...can't wait to try ANYthing that has PRALINE in it's name. :)))
I'm going to link to follow..hope you will come see me soon.

Lisa said...

Oh my gosh, your cake is pure deliciousness.

Betsy Brock said...

can I lick the bowl?

Mehmet Osman Çağlar said...

It's take a long time my dearest.
I miss you!

Every thing is wonderful as usual dear Marguerite. I wish you a happy weekend full of joy...Cheers, Mon ami.

Yours, Zhivago

Drick said...

did you say better with bourbon? well hell yeah!!! ya got my attention right from the git but now you're just teasing.... very nice

Kittie Howard said...

I have been to parties here where a really great band played really great music and people just remained at their tables and stared at the band. There's no life! Guess it's the ghost of Cotton Mather! (but, hey, I read where he loved his wine!)

That praline frosting is a major weakness. My one last spoonful is usually - well, quite a few more, yum!

Gypsy Heart said...

I have a wonderful Praline Bundt Cake that is delish ~ posted it on my blog sometime ago. To have chocolate in it??? Divine ~ :-)
Thanks so much for sharing!

Love the pics too. I LOVE being in Cajun country ~ the people, the fun, food & drinks...nothing on earth like it!

xo
Pat

Gypsy Heart said...

I have a wonderful Praline Bundt Cake that is delish ~ posted it on my blog sometime ago. To have chocolate in it??? Divine ~ :-)
Thanks so much for sharing!

Love the pics too. I LOVE being in Cajun country ~ the people, the fun, food & drinks...nothing on earth like it!

xo
Pat

Unknown said...

I'm having a linky party called A Themed Baker's Sunday where the theme is cake's/cake pop's I'd love for you to join!
http://cupcakeapothecary.blogspot.com/2011/05/themed-bakers-sunday-6.html
Alyssa

Linda Starr said...

Not many calories in that one; what a cool octagonal stage, have a good one.

Carol Murdock said...

DAD GUM !!!! That cake made my mouth water! I think I'll make this! XOXO

kitchen flavours said...

Your cake looks fabulous! I just got my new Wilton bundt pan yesterday, (I'm into bundt cake now!) :) Thanks for sharing your lovely cake!
Would love to have a glass of wine, and leave the dancing to you guys, I'll just sit back and enjoy! Great fun, as always!

Mary Bergfeld said...

If your cake is not sinful it should be. It really looks delicious. I loved your photos as well. I hope you have a great day. Blessings...Mary

Marguerite said...

Honey- So nice to hear from you! This chocolate cake is one of my faves and the frosting is off the charts! Thanks for coming by!

Meaghan- Thanks, I'm so glad you like it! You're welcome and I hope that you try it! Thanks for coming by!

Rosaria- Merci, you're so right, cher, it's an awesome combo. And you know that I did dance off those calories! lol

Mona- Thanks so much for your sweet comment! I'm so happy that you enjoy it! And please do try the cake, it's divine!

bj- Hi and welcome! It was a blast! Thanks so much for trying the cake, for stopping by, and for following! Enjoy!

Amanda- Thanks, hope your weekend is happy, too! I will be over soon!

Eddie Bluelights said...

I think I'll catch the next flight and bring a doggy bag! LOL Looks magnifique! . . . and lucky Tom! . . . . but about time we saw you giving a twirl and 'cutting the rug' LOL. There I'm getting hold of the lingo . . . "Let the good times roll, cher!"

A Kitchen Witch said...

Love it! That cake looks scrumptious and your friend Tom! BUT, how cute is that older couple dancing their hearts out!?!

Kittie Howard said...

Thanks for dropping by, cher. Yes, I also think we're alike in many ways. Nice to have that Blogville kinship.

What happened in Joplin is far worse than what Hollywood could dream up. My grandparents had friends there we used to visit. When I got my license, I got to drive (only state roads then)...they've long passed and I've long lost contact, but my heart is heavy for Joplin.

Jessica | Cajunlicious said...

That cake looks so good! Glad you liked the fried green tomatoes post!

Marni's Organized Mess said...

Oh my! I want dessert now! This looks so yummy!


Thanks for linking up on the Super STALKER Sunday! I stalk you everywhere that I see possible here! :D

I hope you won't be a stranger and come back next week, or even just mid week and say hello! : ) I post lots of other great things like recipes, tackles, GIVEAWAY'S and rambles (oh my!).

Have you checked out my FANTASTIC Blog Hop Directory? It has at least 20 blog hops listed for each day of the week. There has to be something there to suit your fancy too. ; )

Mama on a Green Mission said...

Thanks so much for linking up to our Super Stalker Sunday and for following my blog! I hope you'll come back next week for more "stalking"! I am now following you on GFC! If you have a Twitter or FB please let me know and I will gladly follow you there too!

Have a great day!

April @ Mama on a Green Mission

Marguerite said...

Lisa- Thanks, that's quite a compliment, coming from the queen of sweets! :) Thanks for stopping by!

Betsy- So nice to hear from you! I really have to control myself from doing that very thing!

Jhivago- Great to hear from you, mon ami! Merci beaucoup for your lovely comment! I miss you, too and am so glad you stopped by! Cheers, cher!

Drick- You got dat right, cher! lol Thanks, glad you like it, and hope you give it a try! It's fab and you'll be glad you did!

Kittie- I hear ya on the lack of life, up there! No place like South Louisiana, cher! And I know what you mean about the praline frosting, it's totally addictive!

Gypsy Heart- Thanks so much for your sweet comment! Everything is so much better with chocolate, and I hope you try it! You're welcome!

Vagabonde said...

That chocolate praline Bundt-cake looks terrific. I am pleased that you use bourbon in it as I am sure it gives an extra special taste. We ate many pastries while in Paris. Many of the cakes there have liquor as flavoring, like rhum, Grand Marnier, etc., it gives good flavor and while baking the alcohol evaporates. I don’t understand why they don’t use more liquor in cakes in the US - baking with it is not the same as drinking it from a glass. For example in France and Belgium Godiva uses liquor in their chocolate and less sugar, but in the US they use a different recipe – more milk and sugar and no liquor (a Godiva rep told me that) and I can tell you that the chocolate here is not as tasty unfortunately. Your food looks super yummy as usual!

Magic of Spice said...

Now that is a bunt cake... bourbon optional? No, but never the less delightful I suppose with or without, I go with :) Wow on the cake and the Cajun fun, your friend knows how to boogie :)