Daring Baker’s Challenge: Chocolate Valentino
(must love dogs)
Well, even though I officially bowed out of the fabulous group Daring Baker’s last month, I was happy to have the oppurtunity to do two things I had always wanted to with this month’s challenge:
1) Make a flour-less chocolate cake
2) Do a DB challenge with my good friend, and fellow blogger, Judy from No Fear Entertaining. You can find the recipe and whole story over on her blog.
Judy and I have talked for a long time about doing a DB challenge together, since we live in the same state and have so much fun with the challenges. So since Roberto and I went to visit her and her wonderful family during February, we decided to do the DB challenge as a dessert for a dinner party.
I am glad that I was able to do this challenge also because it was hosted by my other very good blogging friend Dharm and his DB partner for this month, Wendy.
So what can I say about this challenge? I absolutely loved it. It was a wonderful change of pace from some of the most recent DB challenges, and the cake was so delicious. Something I would make again, in a heart beat.
It required very few ingredients, not many steps, and was not time consuming. The taste was fabulous. We used a combo of bittersweet and dark chocolate – but you can really use any kind you want!
So thanks Dharm, Wendy and Judy for making this such a great challenge.
***Just for the record, I am not leaving the DBs because of any displeasure on my part. This is an awesome group, who really helped me get over my fear of baking – both bread and pastry! So I really enjoyed my year as a DB. It has just come time for me to challenge myself in other areas this year. As with any adventure, things change as you learn more, so this year with the upcoming launch of my new website (maybe April or May) I will explain the journey of this blog up until this point and where I am headed with my adventures in food!
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Peter G - February 28, 2009 at 11:58 am
Glad to see you enjoyed your challenge with Judy…looks like you guys had a lot of fun. Look forward to seeing where the future takes you Jenn and the new website you have in the works!
Bellini Valli - February 28, 2009 at 12:33 pm
I am sad to say I am no longer a DB but I am not sure if I can pass up on this months challenge. I was curious what this months recipe would be when you mentioned the two of youwere making it together:D
Gretchen Noelle - February 28, 2009 at 12:50 pm
How fun for you to have been able to do this!
Judy - February 28, 2009 at 1:24 pm
Thanks Jenn for joining me in this challenge. It was a great one!!! Can’t wait to see were this next year is taking you!
toontz - February 28, 2009 at 1:34 pm
What fun!
patsyk - February 28, 2009 at 2:04 pm
You two must have had a great time on the challenge!
Maggie - February 28, 2009 at 2:39 pm
It looks like a lot of fun to do a challenge with another blogger! I recently talked another local blogger into joining the DBs and I’d love to copy your idea. Looking forward to your new site, I can’t wait to see what you’re going to do next!
Arlene - February 28, 2009 at 2:47 pm
Did the doggie get a slice, too?
Teresa - February 28, 2009 at 2:57 pm
How absolutely scrumptious. I found a flourless chocolate cake recipe on Payard’s Chocolate book that I’m dying to try myself. I’ll send you a picture when I do.
dawn - February 28, 2009 at 4:28 pm
Jenn I never, ever would have known you to have a fear of baking. How wild.
I can’t wait to see your new website; I want to create my own website too, well, dot.com thingee that is.
Peter - February 28, 2009 at 5:02 pm
Love seeing you two getting along so well and Judy’s good people. Glad you enjoyed your bake day.
Bob - February 28, 2009 at 7:22 pm
I wish food bloggers lived near me to cook with! And my apartment could fit more than 1 and a half people… Heh. The cake looks great.
Sara - February 28, 2009 at 8:58 pm
This looks so pretty, I love decadent chocolate desserts. But really, who doesn’t
?
pam - February 28, 2009 at 11:04 pm
It looks good, but the doggie seems unimpressed.
Jen - February 28, 2009 at 11:19 pm
Hey Jen– Glad to see you back with the Bakers even if it’s only for a month. Your Valentino looks delicious.
Treehouse Chef - February 28, 2009 at 11:27 pm
I think it would be fun to do it with a friend! This was my first month doing the challenge. I had so much fun!
Natasha - 5 Star Foodie - March 1, 2009 at 12:44 am
Looks like so much fun and the chocolate heart cake is really neat. Can’t wait to see your new site.
Jan - March 1, 2009 at 3:35 am
Great looking cake! Looking forward to seeing your new blog!
Dharm - March 1, 2009 at 4:53 am
Sounds and looks like You and Judy must have had a great time on this challenge! So glad the two of you were able to join us this month! I too cant wait to see what else you have in store…
Ivy - March 1, 2009 at 1:22 pm
These events tend to be very stressful and if you like the challenge you can still do it on your own pace. Good luck with your new site.
Farmgirl_dk - March 1, 2009 at 1:24 pm
Oh!!! I can’t believe you got to bake with Judy – I’m so *jealous*!! She has been my inspiration for over a year now. I have made many a great meal and dessert because of recommendations from her site. And that cake looks delicious! Yummmm…
“in a heartbeat….” Ha ha ha ha!
Jen of a2eatwrite - March 1, 2009 at 3:29 pm
DB has always scared me. It’s absolutely wonderful, but I’m just not at that comfort level with baking or the pressure of producing within that sort of deadline. I’m so glad you and Judy had fun together, and I can’t wait to hear your next plans.
kat - March 1, 2009 at 5:15 pm
you cake looks beautiful, excited to see what you get up to next
Adriana - March 1, 2009 at 7:08 pm
HI Jen!! I’m waiting your new website!
asti - March 1, 2009 at 11:31 pm
Love the heart shaped cake. Wish I have someone else to share the task with like you =). Great to see both of you had fun.
Rosa - March 2, 2009 at 1:31 am
What a cute heart! Very well done!
Cheers,
Rosa
Meg Wolff - March 2, 2009 at 7:58 am
The shape came out so nice too!
Natashya - March 2, 2009 at 11:51 am
I love the whimsical shape of the heart, and so nice to have a friend to bake with!
It is hard to leave a group, but nice to grow in new areas.
kellypea - March 2, 2009 at 12:27 pm
So glad the two of you had some time together! I love the shape of that heart! Good luck to you with what’s coming. Can’t wait to see it!
Olga - March 2, 2009 at 1:54 pm
This was definitely a great challenge to have as your last!
Good luck with your other new challenges
P.S. the girls’ cooking night looks awesome!
Leslie - March 3, 2009 at 9:12 pm
Oh my my my..wasnt that cake just the best thing ever!!!!????
Margaret - March 4, 2009 at 2:05 pm
Great job. Isn’t it fun to ‘group’ bake. Your cake looks just right. good luck in your new adventures.
clumbsycookie - March 4, 2009 at 6:02 pm
I’ve allways knowned you girls had such a big heart! Sounds so much fun to do a challenge together! I’m going to Judy’s to read “her side” of the story!
Jenni - March 5, 2009 at 3:45 pm
Oooh, it sounds like you’re at a crossroads! I love a crossroads–poised for any possibility. I’m quite looking forward to seeing which path you choose, and to coming along for the ride
LindaJay - March 8, 2009 at 4:50 pm
Great looking Chocolate Valentino! Sorry to hear you’ll be leaving us, but that’s what life is all about, isn’t it? Trying something, loving it, and moving on to new challenges. Best wishes as you move forward.