Friday, July 29, 2011

Comeback Tomato Soup Cake

As comebacks go, this probably doesn't rank up there as exciting as Bret Favre's retirements (LOL), but I had a sign this week that I couldn't ignore and decided to share my recipe for Tomato Soup cake, which is making it's own comeback.
I've been painting the interior of a cute little cottage, this past week, that my husband and his partner will call their offices.  (Still have two more rooms to go: ))  While I was walking to the cottage, I spied a ladybug on a leaf of a hydrangea plant that Jamie planted in the garden along the path.  I bent down, to the leaf of the plant, and stuck out my finger...the lady bug crawled up on my finger and sat there.  For all of you, who know the ladybug story and Kelly, this took my breathe away.  Miss Ladybug sat there for some time in the palm of my hand before she flew off.  I've been nudged once more to blog.

Why did I choose tomato soup for this cake?  Well, I was born in 1950 and it was during the 50s and 60s that Campbell's did an extensive campaign that their soups could be used for more than...just soup.   Tomato soup in a cake was something that was quirky enough for my mother to try. She made this cake quite often because my father loved the spices and it's just so moist.  However, the cake is usually iced in a cream cheese frosting, but I chose to do a ganache glaze today because I love chocolate and spice together.

I've noticed, watching Food Network and reading through cooking magazines, that tomato soup cake is once again in the spotlight and I have to say, I was inspired to bake again--which hasn't been the case these last few weeks.  I'm thinking maybe mayonnaise, sauerkraut, and red beet cakes can't be far behind:-D  My mother tried these also!

Tomato Soup Bundt Cake with Ganache Glaze
1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted and slightly cooled
1/4 cup vegetable oil
2 cups granulated sugar
1 (10oz) can Campbell's Tomato Soup
3 large eggs
1 1/2 tsps. Vanilla extract
1/2 tsp. Vanilla powder (optional, but really intensifies the flavor of vanilla)
3 cups King Arthur all-purpose flour
1 T + 1tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. Kosher salt
1 1/2 tsp. cinnamon
1 tsp. ground allspice
1/2 tsp. ground cardamon
1/4 tsp. ground cloves
1/2 cup buttermilk

Preheat oven 350F-degrees.  Spray a 12-cup Bundt pan with a non-stick cooking spray and set aside.  

In the bowl of a stand mixer, using the paddle attachment, measure the sugar and pour the melted butter and oil in.  Mix thoroughly.  Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition.  Add the soup, vanilla extract and powder (if using) and blend well.  Measure the dry ingredients in a large bowl (including the spices) and use a hand whisk to blend.  Add the dry ingredients, one-third at a time, to the bowl, mixing on med-low speed to incorporate.  Add the buttermilk just before the last third of flour mixture has been added.  Incorporate on med-low, then, turn the mixer up to medium for 1 minute to blend completely.

Pour mixture into the prepared pan.
Bake 38 to 40 minutes, or until the top springs back and a toothpick, poked in the center, comes out cleanly.  Let cool 5-10 minutes before inverting onto a cooling rack to cool completely.
While cooling, prepare the ganache.
Ganache Glaze
1 cup heavy whipping cream
1 1/2 cups semi-sweet or bittersweet chocolate chips
2 T Karo light syrup
In a small sauce pan, heat the heavy whipping cream just until "bubbles" appear around the edges.  Remove from the heat and pour over the chocolate chips in a medium, heat-proof glass bowl.  Let sit for a few seconds, then using a small whisk or spatula, blend the cream and chocolate until all the cream is incorporated.  Add the Karo syrup and blend once again.
Place the cake and rack over a large sheet pan that has been covered with wax paper (or parchment).
Transfer ganache glaze to a large measure cup and begin to pour the glaze slowly over the cooled cake.
You can lift up the cake rack and place the "excess" ganache back into the measuring cup to pour over any areas that weren't covered the first time.
Finally, I dotted the surface with Pearlized edible White Pearls.

Simple, but elegant and the rave reviews for the cake from my husband and a friend made this a very special Comeback.  Enjoy!
 


   

15 comments:

  1. Funny how things work. Things work in mysterious ways. And things always happen for a reason. That cake looks yummy!

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  2. Welcome Back! I have missed your blog; I am glad you ran into that ladybug ;)

    This cake sounds rather odd, but all the more reason to try it!

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  3. I've been seeing a white butterfly hoover in the backyard too : )
    I announced to Maddie you made Tomato Soup cake and she said "I like Tomato soup cake" so maybe I should try it -LOL!

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  4. Ok dear gilrie, You're back and I am happy. I am writing this to you from a wonderful room in a grand old hotel in Oklahoma City. i swear, my rooms here are as big as our cottage in Maine.

    I finish my last talk tomorrow and Sunday morning Jeff and I board a plane to Maine.

    Sending love and I'll dubiously give the cake a try...honestly??? Does it REALLY taste good?

    Sharon

    Thank Kelly for me.

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  5. So, my curious dear friends...here is the Ladybug story. It starts with Kelly's last words to me before she slipped into a coma--"I'm Happy." The day after she passed away, I was sitting in the car, waiting for Chuck to come out, and a ladybug landed on the windshield. Miss Ladybug proceeded to walk across to the passenger side and just sat there--I swear it was staring at me.
    Now, a few months ago, while in a store, our granddaughter, Maddie, begged her mother for a ladybug Pillow Pet to the point of an almost tantrum to have one. Of course, Erin caved in and bought it for her. Days later, while Maddie was on her mommy's bed, she said, "Mommy, get my ladybug!" Erin when into her room and retrieved it. When she handed it to Maddie she asked, "Maddie, why do you like this ladybug?" Maddie pointed to a photo of Kelly on Erin's bureau and said, "She told me to buy it!!" Well, that answer took Erin's breathe away and she then asked her, "what's her name?" Maddie answered quickly, "Her name is Happy!!"
    Just sharing this story brings tears to my eyes and now you know why ladybugs are a special sign to me that Kelly continues to watch over us all. XOXO

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  6. What a story! Thanks for sharing and for the new entry!

    Tobi

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  7. You're back you're back - YEAH YEAH YEAH!

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  8. Hi susan! glad to see you back. this sounds like a good cake for me to try just have to change up a little...baking splenda for one and think i would like the cream cheese topping instead of chocolate....that's not my favorite at all. do you have an easy cream cheese topping? how's the house selling going?
    stamping sue
    http://stampingsueinconnecticut.blogspot.com/

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  9. House selling is slow, but then how can I complain when we have "perfect" weather...70-80s and NO humidity:-)!
    For a cream cheese frosting: Use 1 pkg. (8 oz) cream cheese, 2 cups confectioners' sugar,and 2 tsp. vanilla extract. Beat until fluffy, then frost the top.

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  10. I cannot say enough how happy I was to return from vacation, sit down to catch up on blogs, and see you have returned! With style I may add. Tomato soup cake! I make cakes for my teacher's birthdays and this is right up the ally of one of my teachers. She will love it. This same teacher, that I will make the cake for, has a story similar to yours. Her husband passed away and during the funeral at her feet she saw a nickle dated the year they were married. She knew he was there watching her. That has been many years ago and since then she has found many nickles with dates of important events during their marriage. It's his way of telling her he is there. I am positive Kelly is with you. I have not forgotten your beautiful gift to me. As soon as the raspberries are done I will send you jams and jellies. I wear your apron often and must say I am completely in love with it. Thank you so much. Glad to have you back.

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  11. What an incredible recipe for a cake and that ganache is to die for. Thanks for linking it up to Sweets for a Saturday.

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  12. I haven't been on the computer much since Mom has been here this past month, but when Erin told me that you are blogging again, I was so happy to read it again! I believe that Kelly, just like my Dad, is with us and we are given special signs of their presence in beautiful ways. For Kelly it is of a lady bug, for my Dad, it is a butterfly. Nature has a way of bringing our loved ones to us! Looking forward to your posts!

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