eclipse checklist

Apr 07, 2024

something to wear (thanks Grandpa):

something to eat (although Oreos would suffice):

something to ponder:

in this uncontainable night,

be the mystery at the crossroads of

your senses,

the meaning discovered there.

and a prompt from Annie Dillard:1

it looked as though… . ..

xosew

Nigella Lawson’s Chocolate Guiness Cake (courtesy NYT)

for the cake:

1 c Guinness stout

10 T unsalted butter

3/4 c unsweetened cocoa

2 c superfine sugar

3/4 c sour cream

2 large eggs

1 T vanilla

2 c all-purpose flour

2 1/2 t baking soda

for the icing:

1 1/4 c confectioner’ sugar

8 oz cream cheese, room temperature

1/2 c heavy cream

Heat oven to 350 degrees. Butter a 9-inch springform pan and line with parchment paper. In a large saucepan, combine Guinness and butter. Place over medium-low heat until butter melts, then remove from heat. Add cocoa and superfine sugar, and whisk to blend.
In a small bowl, combine sour cream, eggs and vanilla; mix well. Add to Guinness mixture. Add flour and baking soda, and whisk again until smooth. Pour into buttered pan, and bake until risen and firm, 45 minutes to 1 hour. Place pan on a wire rack and cool completely in pan.
For the topping: Using a food processor or by hand, mix confectioners' sugar to break up lumps. Add cream cheese and blend until smooth. Add heavy cream, and mix until smooth and spreadable.
Remove cake from pan and place on a platter or cake stand. Ice top of cake only, so that it resembles a frothy pint of Guinness, or in this case an eclipse.