Rich. Intense. Indulgent.
No, I'm not talking about Martin Jerry Bruckheimer. I'm talking about this cake.
I saw this cake on Doughmesstic and it immediately caught my eye (along with a million other things, but that is for another post). Bright red strawberries drizzled with a rich dark chocolate atop more and more chocolate.
Heaven?
Yes, indeed.
This cake may take a bit of time (two days for me, to be exact), but it is well worth the time and effort. Susan, the genius baker/cook/writer, from Doughmesstic adapted the Iconic Junior's Vanilla Cheesecake Recipe and then topped it with a rich chocolate mousse, tossed the whole thing in the freezer, and then frosted it with chocolate ganache.
"How does someone even think of that?" you may ask.
Innovation, I say. And pure brilliance. I'd like to step into her mind for a few minutes to get some ideas. It would be delicious.
I will warn you, however, not to eat before you eat this cake. For, like, 3 days. Because it is RICH. And, of course, I brought this to Easter dinner, where we all stuffed our faces with a delicious shmorgasboard (I just invented my own way of spelling that word and am too lazy to Google it) of lamb, briscuit, rice and peas, macaroni and cheese, various salads, and breads. And then, of course, I whip out this cake. After hours and hours of eating. My stomach was about to implode, so I didn't have any, but everyone else tried the cake and loved it. I mean, LOVED. Excitement filled the air. There were lots of "Mmms" and "Oh WOWs" to be had. This is the cake that dreams are made of, people. I didn't get a chance to photograph a slice, but let me paint a little picture for you.
Imagine a fluffy cheesecake that looks light as air, flecked with fragrant vanilla beans. Then, picture a pillowy chocolate mousse resting atop that cheesecake. Finally, imagine a ribbon of chocolate ganache tugging the outside of that cake, and, if you're lucky, a chocolate covered strawberry adorning the top of that slice.
Susan, I heart you. Click here for the recipe. Then spend some time clicking around the site if you haven't been there already. You'll be glad you did.
Wow, this looks totally AH-MAZING! Can I buy this from you please?!
btw, I'll be in NYC in a few weeks. Email me your personal addy and we'll have a drink.
Have you been to Sweet Revenge? It has cupcake wine pairings!!!
Miss you, darling! xoxo
Posted by: Sugar Betty | April 15, 2010 at 02:02 AM
amazing. this is the type of treat that i MUST take somewhere or risk eating it all myself and way too quickly (mega-rich or not!). :)
Posted by: grace | April 15, 2010 at 07:33 AM
Beautiful dessert, Teanna! I'm sure it tasted amazing. What's 2 days of work, anyway?
Posted by: Nancy (n.o.e.) | April 15, 2010 at 09:55 AM
What a gorgeous dessert! I don't think that I've ever had a dessert that was too rich for me, so this sounds right up my alley :)
Posted by: Carrie | April 15, 2010 at 09:56 AM
I heart Susan too and I love this cake! Great presentation!
Posted by: Maria | April 15, 2010 at 10:04 AM
Whaddya mean you didn't have any? There's always room for dessert, especially a chocolate one! The dipped strawberries on top would be hard to resist. I hope there were leftovers for you to take home :)
Posted by: Phyllis | April 15, 2010 at 12:07 PM
That looks AMAZING!!
http://www.afashionfixation.blogspot.com/
Posted by: Ashley J | April 15, 2010 at 01:31 PM
You've got me sold on the first three words on this post. hehehe... You didn't even have one little tiny bite?! I guess that means you've got to make this one again. :)
Posted by: jenn (Bread + Butter) | April 15, 2010 at 02:45 PM
Wow, I can't decide if the word I want to use is "excessive" or "perfection." Or maybe just "gimme?" :)
Posted by: Caitlin | April 15, 2010 at 07:02 PM
*thump*
I fell off my chair.
*gets up to wipe drool off of keyboard*
Posted by: Jennifer | April 15, 2010 at 08:48 PM
chocolate mousse cheesecake? SHUT UP. giiirl, you're trying to make me fat.
this is brilliant.
Posted by: Sara Tea | April 15, 2010 at 10:51 PM
You are a dangerous blogger to read! Soooo good.
Posted by: DailyChef | April 16, 2010 at 02:08 AM
love her site and I say yes please to a slice of a cake that took 2 days to make, but no thank you to the recipe...that's the kinda cake I would pay good money for!
Posted by: shelly (cookies and cups) | April 16, 2010 at 09:13 AM
This looks AMAZING!! There aren't many desserts I'd devote two days to, but this is one of them. And I agree, Susan is mind-blowingly talented!
Posted by: Cathy | April 16, 2010 at 10:23 PM
Just gorgeous! I love those chocolate dipped strawberries on top.
Posted by: Jen | April 17, 2010 at 12:26 PM
I can well imagine that this took two days to make. sadly in this house maybe only an hour to eat it all!
Posted by: Wizzythestick | April 18, 2010 at 04:22 PM
This looks insanely delicious! Two days well spent, in my opinion!
Posted by: Leslie | April 18, 2010 at 08:23 PM
I'll change its name to Impressive Chocolate Mousse Cheescake.
-Tera
Posted by: Healthy Foods Blog | April 19, 2010 at 05:46 PM
woah!! Looks beyond amazing! yummmm!!!
Posted by: Lauryn | April 20, 2010 at 10:42 AM
holy moly, that looks insane. in a good way.
Posted by: spike | April 20, 2010 at 01:27 PM