Chocolate Lava Cake

Last week my friend Alice asked me for a recipe for a simple chocolate lava cake she could make for her boyfriend. We are in Vietnam and not many people have ovens so a cake designed to work in a microwave is a necessity.  This recipe is for a single serving but can easily be multiplied! Enjoy this rich chocolate cake the way Alice does – warm with vanilla ice cream!

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Classic White Cake

We just had a birthday here!  A delicious white cake filled with strawberries and iced in whipped cream – basically the birthday cake version of strawberry shortcake! Seems like white cake is an elusive creature. Some are more yellow (made with butter), some look an unnatural ghostly white (Crisco), and still others are dry and crumbly or dense and grainy. No more! This white cake is moist, a lovely creamy color, and simple to produce. The texture is between sponge cake and pound cake – light enough to melt in your mouth and firm enough to stand up to slicing, filling, and icing. I have used this delicious cake for years and it never lets me down – especially on important occasions!

 

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Banh Chuoi Nuong (Vietnamese Banana Cake)

Over the past 2½ months, I’ve posted many recipes that incorporate the flavors of southeast Asia. That’s because Vietnam doesn’t really have a dessert culture in the western sense. However, here is a delicious dessert that is truly Vietnamese. Not really a cake in the standard sense, this dense, rich dessert is a cross between bread pudding and coconut custard.

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Glazed Guinness Chocolate Cake

It’s that time of year when many of us celebrate St. Patrick’s Day! Here is a great recipe to help you get your green on. Best of all, this cake can be mixed up in the pan you melt the chocolate and butter in which keeps dishwashing to a minimum. Guinness chocolate cake with a Guinness glaze is a great way to celebrate your Irish heritage!

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Coconut Pound Cake With Caramelized Tropical Fruits

Coconuts are everywhere in Vietnam. You can buy them whole in stores or on the street for a quick refreshing drink. This moist, delicious cake uses coconut cream and dried coconut to give a deep rich flavor. Paired with caramelized fruits and kaffir lime, this coconut pound cake makes for a wonderful treat.

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