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We've had quite a bit of time this year to get in a festive and patriotic mood. Months, actually. We started back when the skies were a moody gray, tree branches bare and lonely, the now verdant, green grass a somber shade of tan and my lovely herb garden was a mass of lifeless twigs .................
................. but it was fun, back in January thinking about summer and its warm, lazy, seemingly neverending, sun-kissed days. We were commissioned by The California Avocado Commission to create, style and photograph a number of new avocado recipes. They requested two birthday-style cakes, one with a general, any-time-of-the-year theme and the other with a festive, Fourth of July theme.
So we went to town, scouring our attic, local stores and online sources for red, white and blue. It's not easy to find Independence Day-themed decorations in January, but with a bit of super sleuthing, we came up with some fun props.
If you're a follower of The Café, you may remember me posting the other avocado cake, a few months ago; California Avocado Cake with Raspberry Filling and Key Lime Buttercream. It was super delicious, but we wanted something a bit different this time. Though the cake itself is the same recipe, the icing on this one is in a category all it's own. Imagine a rich, decadent, fudgy, chocolate buttercream..... with very little butter!
How does that work, you may ask? Well, like many of the avocado recipes we've created, the avocado (a wonderfully heart-healthy fat) takes the place of other not-so-good-for-you fats. Honestly, I was a bit skeptical of substituting avocado for much of the traditional butter in this recipe, but the results are amazing; very moist and flavorful. The icing is lick-the-bowl-clean delicious and the addition of avocado makes it very creamy. It spreads, swirls and/or twirls (depending on how you like to decorate) like a dream!
I had fun with the decorating as you can see. The piping technique looks fancy, but it's really quite simple. You can find the recipe here on the California Avocado Commission's website and the piping particulars here. Check it out.... and while you're there, nose around a bit. You'll just be amazed at the wonderful recipes and the culinary versatility of the fabulous avocado. Move over, Guacamole!!!
P.S. Oh and btw, if you don't feel like fussing with a layer cake, this recipe can just as easily be made in a 9x13 inch pan with the icing spread on top. Just for fun, you might want to keep it your secret about the avocados, until they start raving about the cake, then you can spill the healthy beans avocados!
Valerie says
I'm stoked at the thought of replacing butter with avocado - not for health, but because I just adore avocados! This cake is fabulous, literally. 😀
Dining Alone says
July 4th is my favorite holiday and this would make it even better!!
Jen Laceda | Tartine and Apron Strings says
Wow, another wonderful avocado recipe! And that cake...so beautifully decorated! It must take a ton of patient to do the finishing touches! Would love to try a slice!
Sandra Lee says
I can't wait to try this and kudos to you for finding the decorations out of season. You and the California Avocado Commission make a perfect pair.
Pam says
What a beautiful and delicious looking cake. I bet the avocado made it so creamy and tasty.
Inside a British Mum's Kitchen says
Chris, this is simply spectacular!! SO beautiful and I can see how totally delicious this gorgeous cake is - you've done SUCH a wonderful job - congratulations!!
Mary x
Kim G. says
It's a beautiful cake! And it looks quite quite good:)
Georgia | The Comfort of Cooking says
Oh wow, how incredibly beautiful is this cake! Amazing flavor, too. Perfect for celebrating the Fourth!
lena says
brilliant , chris! love all the colours here, so festive!
Martha says
what can I say other than YUM!! and I love the theme too! You guys are a great team! But then you already knew that!! 🙂
Tricia Buice says
You are the master of beautiful ribbon cakes. That photo belongs on a magazine cover - absolutely beautiful. I think the avocado sounds delicious and I bet it adds a smooth creaminess that is awesome! Thanks for the note Chris - we have been so busy with major home projects, our daughters wedding and out of town company. I hope to get back in the swing of things next week!
Laura Dembowski says
This is so cool! I've seen avocado paired with chocolate, but never used to make a cake. I'm very impressed!
Angie Schneider says
Very festive and beautiful!
Paula-bellalimento says
Beautiful Chris and I bet it's super flavorful! Happy 4th to y'all!
Gloria Baker says
Look amazing Chris!!
The Mom Chef says
Wow. Congratulations on providing the recipe to the commission and getting your name up there like that. Very awesome. Well deserved too. The cake is beautiful!
Ginny says
I do remember the avocado cake, who could have thought it could be made better?
rosaria williams says
What a smart idea!
Elajr says
I didn't see any instructions on how to pipe the frosting on the link you provided. Would you please explain it further on what decorating tip you used and how you did it. Thank you.
Debra Eliotseats says
Your decorating of these cakes is beyond stupendous! Perfect, perfect, perfect (yet unexpected) dessert for the Fourth! You two outdid yourselves.
La Table De Nana says
But there would be no comparison w/ a sheet cake!
This is FIREWORKS in a cake:)
Love all the flalfla surrounding the cake..so patriotic..so festive..
You are very creative!
Mr. & Mrs. P says
That table is a dream Chris! Beautiful!!!! Love how you frosted the cake... Hope you have a great 4th of July
Lynn@Happier Than a Pig in Mud says
The cake looks great and fun decorations! I love the close up of the icing:@)
twodogsinthekitchen says
Chris, your cake looks amazing. I mean you MUST open your own bakery! Seriously, I'd be in line like the for the soup nazi....lol! The pictures are fantastic and the color so celebratory!
Laura (Tutti Dolci) says
Such a festive cake, Chris! Well done, this is perfect for the 4th!