Chocolate Brownie Creme Caramel Cake
July 6, 2011 in Uncategorized
I got this recipe for this unusual cake from David Lebovitz’s blog, here.
I absolutely LOVE crème caramel and Mr JustChef is a bit of a chocolate-anything-aholic. Bonus, both our vices satisfied with one cake!
I made homemade caramel (dulce de leche) which I slightly undercooked as I thought it would brown further in the hour of cooking *makes note not to do that again* I also used David’s advice to not use all the caramel *makes note to not do that again either – I mean, can there ever be too much caramel?* I also followed David’s advice and cooked it for longer *makes note to start checking it sooner next time*. The brownie layer was a little overcooked (but still delicious) and the caramel layer a little denser (but also, still delicious), so I’ll definitely take it out sooner next time. Yes, even though it did not come out “perfect” or look anything like David’s it was a sure winner!
Ingredients
3/4 cup caramel (as mentioned I’ll use a whole can)
For the chocolate brownie layer:
3/4 cup sugar
3/4 cup flour
1/3 cup cocoa powder
1/2 teaspoon bicarbonate of soda
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
pinch of salt
1/2 cup buttermilk
3 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 egg, at room temperature
1/2 teaspoon vanilla essence
For the crème caramel layer:
1 can Ideal Milk
1 can condensed milk
4 eggs, at room temperature
1/2 teaspoon vanilla essence
1/2 teaspoon salt
Method
Preheat the oven to 190ºC. Spray a large cake pan (not a springform pan) with Spray & Cook.
Smear the caramel on the sides and bottom of the cake pan … go on, use it all!
Make the brownie layer by whisking together, in a large bowl, the sugar, flour, cocoa, bicarb, baking powder and salt. In a smaller bowl or measuring jug, mix the buttermilk, oil, egg and vanilla. Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and, with a spatula, mix until just combined. Scrape the mixture onto the caramel layer and level out. NO, I am not going crazy *cue X-Files music* The brownie layer RISES over the crème caramel layer when it bakes to form the base of the cake!
Make the crème caramel layer by mixing together all the ingredients, until smooth. Carefully pour the mixture (over the back of a large serving spoon) onto the brownie layer.
Lightly cover the cake pan with foil and place in a roasting dish that will serve as a bain-marie. Fill the roasting pan with boiling water so that the water level is around half way up the sides of the cake pan. Place in oven and bake for 50 minutes or until a skewer inserted into the middle, comes out relatively clean (like when you bake brownies – you want some gooey bits). See, I only tested after an hour and 15 minutes and will not do so next time. Once baked, carefully remove from the oven and remove the cake pan from the roasting dish. Leave to cool and place in refrigerator until you are ready to serve your masterpiece! I left mine in the refrigerator overnight and perhaps that is when the “extra” caramel was sucked up by the crème caramel part?! It had pulled away from the sides and I did not need to loosen the sides. Top cake pan with serving plate and turn upside down. Tap lightly to release the cake.
Watch in awe as your guests, or husband, tries to figure out which layer is best!
Break an egg!
JustChef
EDIT: I have made this again with store bought caramel and once again all the caramel was soaked up! My friend, Douglas, made it and only had it in the fridge for about an hour or so before removing it from the cake pan and his turned out perfectly! Note to self: do not refrigerate in cake pan overnight!!
tandy.sinclair said on July 6, 2011
Looks awesome!
JustChef said on July 6, 2011
Thanks, not nearly like his, but the taste – man!!!!
Collywolly said on July 6, 2011
YIKES!!!!!!!! I can’t wait……..I wonder how long I do have to wait???? Clever girl you. I love David Lebovitz
I love you more hehe 
xxx
Mau said on July 6, 2011
When can we expect a post on the other JustMe blog again?
JustChef said on July 6, 2011
You can suck on the creme caramel bit and give Donald the brownie bit! LOL
I discovered his blog by accident – so glad I did!
JustChef said on July 6, 2011
*hangs head in shame and makes note to do a post for Lefty*
Hopestar said on July 6, 2011
It looks devine!!!!!
*hugs*
JustChef said on July 6, 2011
*hugs Hope* back*
Really really good! Mr JustChef has placed an order for another one for this weekend!
Sous-Chef said on July 6, 2011
Wow! It looks wonderful…..but I think there is a calorie convention being held in that there cake!
JustChef said on July 6, 2011
LOL I thought so too, but serving a sliver for dessert is perfect
)
malma said on July 6, 2011
*swoons*
JustChef said on July 6, 2011
Did Missmadam get the hint?
Freshly-Ground said on July 6, 2011
Nice cake, very tempting.
JustChef said on July 6, 2011
Thanks! Not as sweet as it sounds
)
rbh said on July 6, 2011
looks good
JustChef said on July 6, 2011
Why thank you Ruth!
lyndatjie-farewell said on July 6, 2011
DAMN! Now I’m hungry!
JustChef said on July 6, 2011
*giggles* Do your hounds still play with their bacon bubbles?
lyndatjie-farewell said on July 6, 2011
Oh hell yes! But now I’m clever… no more little stick – I now have a BUBBLE GUN! That poor Fox Terrorist doesn’t know which way to run first… *evil grin*
Hey – If I pay you – can you make me a cake like this? I’ve failed at the baking so many times that the Fire Brigade put me on their ARSONIST list…
JustChef said on July 6, 2011
LOL And I suppose you don’t have the gun set on a low speed either *giggles*
*wonders if she should start cake baking business*
lyndatjie-farewell said on July 6, 2011
YES on both counts!
JustChef said on July 6, 2011
*looks for application form to be Lyndatjie’s PCB*
(Personal Cake Baker)
lyndatjie-farewell said on July 6, 2011
I hereby confirm that
JUSTCHEF
is my personal baker
and may she be judged
by the size of Lynda’s behind!
JustChef said on July 6, 2011
*checks contract for Merlot Policy*
Zabwan said on July 6, 2011
Sigh….I hate dieting….this would be worth cheating for
JustChef said on July 6, 2011
*sighs with Zabbie* A sliver can’t do major harm
)
Sous-Chef said on July 6, 2011
I went and had a look at his and your cake looks much better than his!
JustChef said on July 6, 2011
WOW! Thanks Sue! Mine’s just missing alot of caramel!
bibibapka said on July 6, 2011
And Cuz!
bibibapka said on July 6, 2011
Anything with caramel is top of my list
JustChef said on July 6, 2011
Mine too!! As I said, can there ever be too much caramel?
JustChef said on July 6, 2011
*and for BiBiCuz too* On the bright side, you get great ideas here
)
TheGorgeousGourmet said on July 6, 2011
oh this looks amazing! Definitely a day for caramel!
JustChef said on July 6, 2011
Definitely a Caramel Appreciation Day! Thanks!
pinkpolkadot said on July 6, 2011
Wow,wow,wow!! It looks wonderful!! I am now so craving a piece of this!!
JustChef said on July 7, 2011
Would love to send you slice, but sadly it’s all gone
Please try it!
Daleentw said on July 7, 2011
This looks absolutely yummy! I know what I’m making for dessert!
JustChef said on July 7, 2011
Thanks! My friend, Douglas, made it with store bought caramel and raved about it!
kupcake_03 said on July 7, 2011
overcooked, undercooked who cares….this looks divine….and enough to make me go and spoil my diet!
JustChef said on July 7, 2011
LOL Go on, I know you want to bake it!
sideview said on July 7, 2011
Sonmeone else posted having done this, but theirs didn’t look as good as yours.
JustChef said on July 8, 2011
Cool! Thanks and thanks for the visit!
pinkpolkadot said on July 11, 2011
Enjoy the week!!
JustChef said on July 12, 2011
Why thank you Pinks! You too … how’s this freaky winter weather!
bibibapka said on July 13, 2011
Just came back to lick the screen before I started working.
JustChef said on July 13, 2011
Thanks xxx
pinkpolkadot said on July 15, 2011
Enjoy the weekend!
Rockybaby said on July 19, 2011
You tried to sift flour and butter in Sue’s recipe???
JustChef said on July 20, 2011
LOL I stopped the 9 year old JUST in time *giggles hysterically* How awesome is that tart though!!!