Wednesday, November 25, 2015

Guinness Cake with Pretzels and a Butter Celebrates! Giveaway {Giveaway Closed}


"It tastes like burn!"

This is a statement that often spews from my mouth when I'm out with friends for the evening and alcoholic beverages are involved. Yet, despite this small exclamation and knowledge of what I already know before the glass touches my lips, it certainly doesn't stop me from trying what they are drinking. "Banana Bread Beer? Sure. How bad can it actual- OHMYGOSH FOR THE LOVE OF ALL THINGS BEAUTIFUL AND HOLY, WHY??? IT TASTES NOTHING LIKE BANANA BREAD. IT TASTES LIKE BURN!" 

You see, I'm not much of a drinker. Actually, strike that. I'm not much of a beer or wine drinker. I don't mind liquor like bourbon or gin and I was introduced to cider this past Spring while attending a cousin's wedding in England. It was there that I also discovered the refreshing beverage of Pimm's. Let's just say that drinking three in a row may turn one's legs into spaghetti and make walking a bit more difficult.


Just because I don't enjoy a brewsky with my dinner doesn't mean I don't enjoy it in my dinner. Steak and Ale Pie? Yes please. Beer Battered Fish and Chips? Giddy up. Soft pretzels dipped into a warm beer and cheddar sauce? LIKE A BOSS.

But take that same beer and dump it into an indulgent chocolate cake batter - you better believe your sweet cheeks I'm gonna be all over it. In fact, I would happily endure a hangover because of it.

Stout beer is incredible baked into a cake. If you've never tried it, I strongly suggest you do. Butter Celebrates! Guinness Cake with Pretzels is a cracking example of this kick ass flavour combination. The stout creates a moistness to the cake while lending an unmistakable flavour. Think of it as the cake's wingman in the pub of life. The pretzels come along for a good time and add a fantastic texture while lending a subtle element of flavour.


In this particular recipe, I did make a couple of small changes. The first time I made this cake (my test run), I used Guinness as called for in the recipe and it was amazing. The second time around, I successfully switched out the Guinness for a locally brewed Vanilla Porter after Robyn suggested it. It was equally delicious, but perhaps a bit more pronounced in flavour.

I also modified the recipe to create three full layers rather than slicing two layers in half to essentially create four layers as the book suggests. I am truly awful at slicing cakes in half, partly because I'm so impatient and it requires a steady hand. My method was necessary for my OCD. I tried, friends. I honestly tried. However, I may have been too adventurous in my modifications because the cake and the slices were mile high. Fabulous, but big. Definitely not for the faint of heart or those weirdos folks not into sweets or desserts.

To frost this gorgeous chocolate mammoth, I followed Rosie's Guinness Buttercream recipe, but omitted the Guinness from the recipe as I felt there was enough of a beer flavour from the cake. I really wanted the chocolate buttercream to shine through and give a good balance between the two.

Finally, I embellished the outside of the cake using whole mini pretzels, rather than crushed up as Rosie uses. I saw this method done on the cover of Joy The Baker's Homemade Decadence cookbook and simply loved the look.

Overall, this cake was a big hit with family, friends and neighbours.


The actual cookbook itself is stunning. Butter Celebrates! breaks down special occasions into different chapters from Valentine's Day featuring Chocolate Whoopie Hearts with Raspberry Fluff to Hanukkah and her take on the Sufganioyt (Jelly Doughnuts). She even has a chapter dedicated for the loveable pup with recipes like Peanut Butter Dog Bones. Best of all, her radiant personality shines through page after page. I had the utmost pleasure of meeting Rosie several times and she's such a delightful person. If you know her, consider yourself so lucky to be in her presence. 

This is a bakebook that deserves to be part of your cookbook arsenal right next to her original, Butter.  

Please don't take my word for it alone. I implore you to check out my fellow bloggers as they share their experiences with Butter Celebrates!


Hungry for more?

We are giving one lucky reader the chance to win a personally signed Butter Celebrates! Cookbook by Author Rosie Daykin along with a box of delicious goodies from her bakery, Butter Baked Goods in Vancouver, BC. 

To enter, follow the Rafflecopter prompt below (see all rules and regulations below) and let me know what your FAVOURITE Holiday Dessert is in the blog comments below. 

Enjoy and Good Luck!
Xo

a Rafflecopter giveaway

This giveaway is open to all legal residents of Canada who have reached the age of majority at the time of the contest in the province or territory in which they reside. Void in Quebec. 

 Winner must answer a mathematical skill-testing question. No purchase necessary to enter. 

 Giveaway will run from Wednesday, November 25, 2015 at 12:01am to Wednesday, December 2, 2015 at 11:59pm. Winner will be contacted via email and name will be displayed on Rafflecopter widget. Email address will never be given out to any third party or anyone for that matter. 

 Oodles of thanks and love to the kind folks of Appetite of Random House for the complimentary copy of Butter Celebrates!

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36 Comments »

36 Responses to “Guinness Cake with Pretzels and a Butter Celebrates! Giveaway {Giveaway Closed}”

  1. The Cooking ActressNovember 25, 2015 at 9:13 AM

    ooooh this cake looks FANTASTIC!!!!!! Michael always gets drawn in by alcohol descriptions like "oooh apple pie moonshine!" and then "AGHHH IT TASTES LIKE ALCOHOL!" and I'm like "JUST EAT APPLE PIE IF THAT'S WHAT YOU WANT!" :P He does love stout beers though and I know we'd both love this cake!

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  2. ElizabethNovember 25, 2015 at 10:17 AM

    I bake from the first Butter book all the time. Her recipes are winners.

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  3. JeanineNovember 25, 2015 at 10:18 AM

    *DROOL* The cake. The styling. It's all absolutely perfect, Jenny! Love it!

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  4. Lynn GoodaleNovember 25, 2015 at 10:41 AM

    Hey, I'm your neighbour and I never got any! Son of a... I need to move closer apparently :) This cake looks delish and combine beer with anything and my family is pleased.

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  5. NicolettaNovember 25, 2015 at 10:51 AM

    Your cake looks AMAZING! And the book is definitely something I would love to add to my collection! I love to bake!!!

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  6. Shift MamaNovember 25, 2015 at 11:05 AM

    This book looks amazing! My favourite holiday desert is pie (any kind) with ice cream.

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  7. Within the KitchenNovember 25, 2015 at 11:37 AM

    I live 5 minutes from the bakery - and I've never gone in!!! I need to change that!

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  8. megNovember 25, 2015 at 11:44 AM

    Mmmm butter....is there any other way?

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  9. shandyraeNovember 25, 2015 at 11:48 AM

    Looks delicious! My favourite holiday dessert is anything from the cookie tray!

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  10. UnknownNovember 25, 2015 at 11:50 AM

    I want to make every single recipe from her first and second book!

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  11. UnknownNovember 25, 2015 at 11:52 AM

    This looks wonderful! my favorite holiday baking is shortbread, but anything at Christmas is wonderful! My mom makes lots of different dainties to sample as well! Thanks for the chance to win!

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  12. Dylan_CutlerNovember 25, 2015 at 12:06 PM

    This would make such a great holiday gift! Also, HELLO from a fellow Vancouverite ;) I will have to check out the bakery.

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  13. ChrisNovember 25, 2015 at 12:32 PM

    That cake looks amazing!! It looks so perfect too! Yum. Gosh i love shortbread, mince tarts, iced sugar cookies, candy cane cookies, brownies....pretty much everything! Thanks for the giveaway!!

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  14. UnknownNovember 25, 2015 at 2:19 PM

    I am so excited!! And that cake is gorgeous!

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  15. Kat GignacNovember 25, 2015 at 2:28 PM

    Looks incredible! Love that cake!

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  16. UnknownNovember 25, 2015 at 2:41 PM

    Amazing pictures of THAT cake! My favourite holiday dessert is my Grandma's shortbread. This will be the first Christmas without her. But I will try my best to honour her with a batch or two!

    Kim

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  17. In Search Of Yummy-nessNovember 25, 2015 at 3:23 PM

    Your photos on this post are awesome! I want a slice of that cake so badly right now...

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  18. bethNovember 25, 2015 at 3:43 PM

    I have a feeling this cake might be my new holiday favorite dessert, but other than that, gingerbread all the way!

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  19. Beyond UmamiNovember 25, 2015 at 4:33 PM

    This looks fantastic! Your cake is awesome. Though I am with you regarding trying to cut the cake evenly; your end results look great. I would love to add this book to my collection!

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  20. Mardi MichelsNovember 25, 2015 at 7:07 PM

    That's quite the cake Jenny!

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  21. Julie DNovember 25, 2015 at 7:11 PM

    I love a good yule log. :)

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  22. annecNovember 25, 2015 at 10:32 PM

    Isn't the holidays with a sugar pie!

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  23. Karen KasprickNovember 26, 2015 at 12:08 AM

    I love bread pudding with a hot rum sauce! Happy holidays.

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  24. JoyceNovember 26, 2015 at 6:19 AM

    I love cakes, and the pictures here are making me drool!!

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  25. sunfish527November 26, 2015 at 8:49 AM

    oh man.. need that cake now!

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  26. Amanda @ Once Upon a RecipeNovember 26, 2015 at 1:14 PM

    This cake is magic! I love your photos and need you to give me a lesson on how you cut your cake so precisely! Seriously, you're amazing!

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  27. Lisa MNovember 26, 2015 at 4:54 PM

    Yum!

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  28. Erika LetsonNovember 26, 2015 at 9:44 PM

    My favourite holiday dessert is pumpkin pie. Thanks for the chance!

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  29. LauraNovember 27, 2015 at 9:35 AM

    My favourite holiday dessert is sticky toffee pudding! Also love a simple spicy gingerbread cake with whipped cream! This looks like a beautiful book. Everything from Butter is so amazing!

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  30. UnknownNovember 27, 2015 at 1:41 PM

    Gingerbread and coconut macaroons are tied on my list.

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  31. June BurnsNovember 27, 2015 at 3:14 PM

    This cake looks simply stunning! The cookbook, too. I'd love to check it out!

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  32. AnonymousNovember 27, 2015 at 6:43 PM

    I really LOVE Gingerbread men and steal them from the freezer regularly.

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  33. jcbrNovember 28, 2015 at 8:36 PM

    My favourite holiday dessert is cheesecake, I love a delicious chocolate cheese cake.

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  34. weeNovember 29, 2015 at 7:46 PM

    My favorite holiday dessert is a pumpkin roll!

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  35. nicoleroannefNovember 29, 2015 at 8:32 PM

    I'm in need of fresh baking inspiration. This is perfect!

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  36. tobyhirNovember 30, 2015 at 11:34 AM

    That cakes looks ahhhhmazing! YUM!

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