Jul

8

Tia Maria Cake

July 8, 2007 |

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Vegetables are a must on a diet. I suggest carrot cake, zucchini bread, and pumpkin pie. - Jim Davis

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I baked this today for Bee’s birthday.

This coffee-flavoured cake is not too sweet, and very intense. It is relatively low in fat.

It was inspired by the Tia Maria Cake from Low-fat Baking by Linda Fraser. I tweaked the original quite a bit, especially the frosting.

The mascarpone may be replaced with low-fat sour cream, any soft cheese, soft paneer or unsalted cottage cheese (blended until smooth) or low-fat yogurt hung in a muslin cloth for an hour until the water drips off. If whatever you use is not thick and spreadable, thicken it with milk powder.

EDITED ON July 15, 2007: After feedback from a reader that the sponge was too dry, I baked this cake again, and made some amendments to the original recipe. Our second cake was much more moist than the first.

1. We used only egg whites. That gives you a lighter, taller cake, but maybe a tad drier. We fixed that will 2 tbsps of oil added to the batter. If using all whites, beat them until atleast double in volume, with a pinch of cream of tartar (or 1/2 tsp lime juice), adding the sugar very gradually, maybe a tablespoon at a time. Adding the sugar all at once will make the whites collapse. We also changed the proportion of baking powder, and added some baking soda.

2. Using whole eggs yields a moister cake, but not as tall. If using whole eggs, beat the yolks with 1/3 cup of sugar, beat the whites separately until doubled with 2 tbsp sugar and a pinch of cream of tartar or 1/4 tsp lime juice, and proceed. When you lift the whisk, there should be thick trail that remains on the surface for atleast 15 seconds.

3. If your cake is not tall enough to cut horizontally into layers, simple cut it through the middle into two half-moons. Then use the two as layers, and proceed. You will get a half-moon cake.

4. Our second cake was done in 22 minutes. The original recipe stated a longer bake time. That probably led to dryness. Check at 22 minutes with a toothpick inserted in the middle.
The cake beginning to pull away from the sides of a pan is a sign. Since this cake is low in fat, overbaking it will make it very dry.

TIA MARIA CAKE

For the cake:
Preheat the oven to 375F. Grease a cake pan (8-inch) and put a round of parchment in the bottom.

Sift together
1 cup unbleached all purpose flour
2 tablespoons cornstarch
a pinch of salt
1 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp baking soda
3 tablespoons instant coffee granules

Beat
1 cup egg whites (or 4 whole eggs) and
1/2 cup granulated sugar (we used raw cane sugar)
with 1/2 tsp lime juice or a pinch of cream of tartar

until thick and mousse-like. Add the sugar very gradually, one tablespoon at a time. The egg whites should atleast double in volume and reach near stiff peak stage.

See notes above regarding how to proceed if using whole eggs.

Gently fold in the flour mixture into the egg mixture with a spoon taking care not to deflate the egg whites. Also add

2 tablespoons oil
to the batter.

Bake the sponge for 22-25 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean, and the cake springs back when lightly pressed. Check at 22 minutes.

Turn out on to a wire rack to cool completely.

For the filling, mix until smooth

1 cup low fat sour cream/mascarpone cheese
1 tablespoon honey
1.5 tablespoons coffee liqueur (we used Tia Maria)

Add
1/4 cup toasted and chopped almonds

Split the cake in half when slightly warm. Bend to be at eye level with the cake. It makes it easier. Dental floss works very well for cutting the cake horizontally.

Sprinkle a tablespoon of coffee liqueur on the bottom half. Spread the filling. Put the top half on, bottom-side up. That will give you a flat top for the frosting.

For the frosting:
Melt 4 ounces dark chocolate in a microwave, for 45 seconds to a minute, adding 1 tbsp water and 1.5 tsp instant coffee granules. Stir every 15 seconds. When the chocolate melts, add 4 ounces mascarpone, and two drops of vanilla extract.

Stir it all together until you get a smooth consistency.

Spread it over the top and sides of the cake. Refrigerate the cake for 30 minutes, then add finely chopped candied ginger on top, along with chocolate-covered espresso beans.

Our candied ginger was a homemade gift from Pel. Really delicious. Thanks, Pel.

- Jai

Verdict: Scrumptious. Not cloyingly sweet. This coffee-chocolate frosting is just fabulous. - B.

Jai’s Vegan Chocolate Rum Cake.

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50 Comments so far

  1. musical on July 8, 2007 8:15 pm

    Happy B’day Bee :)

    and thats a lovely cake, Jai! Coffee flavored, low fat, not too sweet-totally my type!

  2. aa on July 8, 2007 8:20 pm

    Haha! this is great…I actually get to be the first to wish you Happy Birthday on the blog Bee!
    May this cake mark the start of another year filled with seasonal joy, crusts and crumbs, postcards from all over the world, and lots of other blog goodness.

  3. Mishmash! on July 8, 2007 8:21 pm

    Aww…you re such a sweet hubby:)

    Bee, Happy Birthday :)

    Second pic of the Cake looks fabulous!!

    Shn

  4. sandeepa on July 8, 2007 8:52 pm

    Happy BirthDay J & B..no only Beeeeeeee
    May this the bestest Birtday Be
    Wishing you many more such Birthdays…tee hee…hee

    Ok it’s just that I am sleepy..I usually write better poems ;-)

  5. Jyothsna on July 8, 2007 8:53 pm

    Jai, you are such a good hubby!! Happy b’day Bee! :) Have a wonderful year ahead!

  6. roopa on July 8, 2007 8:55 pm

    Happy birthday Bee! thats a extremely delicious treat!

  7. Anita on July 8, 2007 9:21 pm

    Happy Birthday, Bee!! And you’re right of course, a diet without vegetables or cake is far from balanced!

    And how sweet of you Jai, to bake a cake and write the post as well! (In TH’s defense: I got aloo paranthas and Mango Margaritas on mine :D )

  8. Coffee on July 8, 2007 9:27 pm

    Happy birthday bee!!!!!

    What better than a coffee cake ;)

  9. Sig on July 8, 2007 9:31 pm

    Happy Birthday Bee… You are a lucky gal, oops :D

    Jay, great job… Can’t wait to see what Bee cooks up for your birthday.

  10. ritu on July 8, 2007 9:46 pm

    happy b’day bee

  11. sra on July 8, 2007 9:58 pm

    Jai, that’s such a nice thing to do! Hope your birthday was lovely, Bee!

  12. viji on July 8, 2007 10:03 pm

    Happy birthday Bee, Wishing you good luck throughout your life. The cake is inviting Jai. Could see the texture from the photo. It speaks really. Nice gift for bee. Viji

  13. Priya on July 8, 2007 10:04 pm

    A very Happy Birthday to you Bee ! Hope you have all the fun in the world coming your way this year.
    Jai, that is a wonderful cake and beautiful gift :)

  14. Mythili on July 8, 2007 10:15 pm

    Heyyyy
    Happy Birthday to you
    Happy Birthday to you
    Happy Birthday to you dear (honey) Beeeeeee
    Happy Birthday to you !!!

    May you live a 100 years … in happiness…. and may you blog endlessly !!!

    Heh! Heh!

  15. Mythili on July 8, 2007 10:16 pm

    Oh…

    And great cake !!! I love coffee flavored cakes :)

  16. Srivalli on July 8, 2007 10:18 pm

    Wonderful Cake jai…great choice…Many More happy returns of the day…Wish you many such wonderful days to come…esp cooking up nice dishes to post for us…

    Srivalli
    http://www.cooking4allseasons.blogspot.com

  17. pelicano on July 8, 2007 10:20 pm

    Happy Birthday Bee! Do celebrate it for at least a week (as I do) :-)

    Jai- I was gasping over this beauty of a cake, and thinking that it had that “male cook” attention to detail and design…hehehehehe. Then I spied the ginger… glad you found such an excellent use for it!

    I have most of these ingredients handy, so…I think…I’ll share some with the neighbors! :-) And tell ‘em it’s Bee’s birthday…

  18. Suganya on July 8, 2007 10:36 pm

    What more a treat can you ask for Bee.. Happy B’Day! Good Job Jai.. So now Bee, its yr turn now.. What are ya going to do?

  19. Santhi on July 8, 2007 10:38 pm

    Bee…Happy Birthday to you :-)…wish you, and Jai and Juglbandi a great year to come..may you have many more such b’days with Jai baking such yummy looking cakes ( hey, to tell the truth, my b’day is around the corner, and I think I ll just bake this myself for myself..what say ;-) )

  20. Kajal on July 8, 2007 10:54 pm

    Hi bee,

    Happy Birthday to you…….
    Great cake with low fat baking.:)

  21. Linda on July 8, 2007 10:57 pm

    Lovely cake indeed — you’re a talented baker Jai! Happy birthday wishes to you, Bee :)

  22. madhuli on July 8, 2007 11:28 pm

    Happy Birthday Bee :)Have a nice day.
    Jai excellent presentation and what a lovely cake.Very well explained recipe (I liked the tip about substituting Mascarpone).
    I have to show this post to my husband :)And then you know what will follow!!;)

  23. Nirmala on July 9, 2007 12:10 am

    Happy B’day Bee! Thats a wonderful cake!

  24. archana on July 9, 2007 12:18 am

    Happy Birthday Bee :)The cake is looking gr8.
    In the recipe you have mentioned using 1 cup egg whites. This means yolks are not included and are discarded? In the bracket it is written or 4 whole eggs. Sorry it was not clear to me :)

    its 1 cup eggwhites or 4 whole eggs. roughly 8 whites would go in one cup. –Jai

  25. Angela on July 9, 2007 12:34 am

    Only my second comment on your wonderful blog, but couldnt resist jumping on the birthday bandwagon to wish a fellow Cancerian - a very happy birthday Bee.
    A birthday cake specially prepared by a thoughtful hubby.. what more cud a gal want!
    Good luck.

  26. sia on July 9, 2007 12:36 am

    many many happy returns of the day bee and jai :) beautiful piece of art(cake) :D

  27. Raaga on July 9, 2007 12:38 am

    Happy birthday Bee.

    Jai, that was a lovely cake. I wish I could get a piece. :-)

  28. shammi on July 9, 2007 3:09 am

    Yum. Nice cake! Of COURSE I’m gonna try it! And many more happy returns to you, Bee! :)

  29. Vini K on July 9, 2007 3:20 am

    Happy Birthday dear Bee!Hope you had a nice day.Mmmmm,what a nice cake.Jai,I think you should teach my hubby a few things now:)

  30. indosungod on July 9, 2007 4:11 am

    Bee, Happy Birthday! Have a fantastic time.

  31. Anjali on July 9, 2007 4:38 am

    Happy Birthday to you Bee!!! Jai is so sweet he made you a dessert that you can enjoy just a little bit more.

  32. Mamatha on July 9, 2007 4:52 am

    Happy Birthday Bee! Have a lovely year ahead.

  33. Suma Gandlur on July 9, 2007 5:24 am

    My late wishes to you, birthday girl.
    Jai, you are so sweet. Keep it up.:)

  34. richa on July 9, 2007 5:28 am

    happy b’day bee :)
    cake looks yum

  35. Asha on July 9, 2007 5:46 am

    Happy birthday dear Bee,have a great year ahead and lots of happiness!Hugs to you:))
    Jai,thanks man.You are a great guy.My husband just buys me stuff which he can grab quickly!:D
    Yummy cake.Enjoy.

  36. Sakhi on July 9, 2007 5:51 am

    Happy birthday Bee !!!

    Jai, 100/100 on the perfect husband test :-)

  37. Laavanya on July 9, 2007 6:30 am

    Happy Birthday Bee! :)
    Lovely cake Jai and kudos on being so thoughtful and sweet.

  38. Gini on July 9, 2007 6:58 am

    Looks really good. Bee, the pressure is on :)Isn’t Jai’s b’day coming soon too?

  39. Dumela on July 9, 2007 7:23 am

    awwww sweeet cake…. sweeet jay…. happy birthday bee, may the best of your todays be the worst of your tomorrows…. (as in jay make sweeter cakes for you , heee - just kidding)

    I just saw sweet preserved ginger in the shops and was wondering what its used for and now i know :)

  40. jai bee on July 9, 2007 7:42 am

    thank you all, for your kind wishes. - bee

  41. archana on July 9, 2007 7:48 am

    Thanks for clearing my doubt. I would love to bake this cake :)

  42. shilpa(aayisrecipes) on July 9, 2007 8:21 am

    Wish you a belated happy birthday Bee.
    Great job Jai :). The cake looks so professional.

  43. tee on July 9, 2007 10:36 am

    Happy B’day bee!
    The cake looks absolutely delicious! How thoughtful of Jai to bake a cake for this occasion…
    I have one dumb question…where would one buy Tia maria ?
    thanks for sharing this recipe!

    any liquor store. depending on where you live - you may find it in grocery stores as well - jai

  44. Usha on July 9, 2007 10:42 am

    Hi !
    Happy b’day bee! Coffe cake is looking delicious!!!great work jai!

  45. sharmi on July 9, 2007 12:20 pm

    Dear Bee, I wish you a very happy b’day. You are so lucky to have a hubby who bakes your b’day cake!! that is so sweet of Jai. and the cake looks so amazingly beautiful.
    My hearty wishes Again!!

  46. Dee on July 10, 2007 4:14 pm

    Happy Birthday Bee and what a wonderful looking cake Jai

  47. Chandrika on July 13, 2007 2:57 pm

    Belated Birthday Wishes Bee! Hope you had a fabulous time! And about the cake,all I can say is “WOW”! A perfect piece!

  48. Peanuts » jugalbandi on August 20, 2007 6:31 pm

    […] love getting your feedback on our recipes. Mamatha once wrote in to say how she tried Tia Maria Cake and the sponge turned out drier than she liked. J baked it again that evening, frosting and all, […]

  49. Chocolate Pudding infused with Lavender » jugalbandi on September 13, 2007 6:55 pm

    […] we don’t cook much with it. We prefer to eat it neat. There’s the chocolate cake (or two) that we prepare for special events. As for the chocolate recipes we prepare on a regular basis, […]

  50. Old Faithful: Aloo Parantha « A Mad Tea Party on May 10, 2008 2:18 pm

    […] their love for a change. Yet, neither my son nor TH can be expected to bake a cake (not everyone is like Jai!). Every time I am not inclined to cook, the son is willing to order pizza and TH is only too happy […]

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