When I was about 23, my Grandmother came to my daughter's first birthday party. She wanted a cup of coffee with her cake. I have to admit, I hadn't thought to make a pot of coffee for a baby's birthday party. That's only because I hadn't yet learned the exquisiteness of black coffee in contrast with something sweet. But I learned it from Granny that day.
That's why the Chocolate Toffee Mousse Cake will be featured first on my blog. (That's me eating it in the picture to your right.) This cake is found at Zea's restaurants. I was told by a waitress the last time I ordered it, that it doesn't get a lot of popularity though I can't fathom why.
With this cake, a thick chocolate crust is topped with a rich chocolate mousse that somehow maintains it's mousse-ness while holding up better than most cheesecakes. Mixed in the middle are toffee and nuts. The cake comes topped with caramel and chocolate sauces and toasty pecans. It truly could be called a "two spoon" dessert, since it could be dangerous in its richness if it is consumed by only one person, unless that person has gone light on her dinner, and has a cup of black coffee on hand.
I enjoy this cake, and I do mean en-joy it, with a cup of hot black coffee. In my opinion, it's the only way to have it. The coffee brings out the layers of flavor in this cake, and the cake brings out the flavor of the coffee. It contrasts perfectly with the deep dark sweetness of the chocolate, the mousse consistency, and the light saltiness of the caramel sauce and nuts.
I first experienced this dessert during a sad time in my life. I happened to be at dinner with a couple of friends, ladies who were a bit further along in life than I. They brought me to dinner that night and gave me hope that I could get through. They also gave me a chance to try this amazing cake without reservation or guilt.
Life is so much like this cake and coffee in its mix of happy and sad. The bitter of the coffee mixes with the sweetness of the cake. Somehow the bitterness is cut in half, letting the intricate flavors in the coffe come out, while the sweetness only intensifies. Perhaps my Granny was right. Perhaps if we take the bitter while relishing the sweet, then we'll be able to appreciate both even more.
Check out the Chocolate Toffee Mousse Cake at Zea's. And don't forget the black coffee!
