So, it’s that time people. Time for desserts aplenty and no holds barred calorie attacks. For me the holidays start on December 1st. The tree goes up, all the decorations are strung about the house and our giant blow up snowmen go on the roof. (Yes, I’m that person). I’m listening to Christmas music right now, a little Diana Krall to get the spirit going.
This weekend we are going to pick out our tree and cut it down at a neighbouring Tree Farm. I’m very excited! We have never cut a tree down before. In fact, last year was our first with a real tree as a family. We bought it December 1st, and by Boxing Day (that’s December 26th for curious foreigners 😉 ) there were needles in every corner of the house. This year I’m restraining myself by 4 whole days!
This cake is a family tradition. Every year for Christmas, my Mother and sister and I, would all gather around the kitchen and begin preparing The Cake. Only, in years past, it was more of a pudding with a graham cracker crust. The cream cheese layer was uncooked and only mixed with whipping cream and sugar. Don’t get me wrong, It was always delicious but this year I just wanted to tweak it to stay upright a little more. I like a little more texture to my dessert. I took the original recipe (originally from TV Guide!) and completely rearranged it, but held on to the core flavours. It still tastes the same, but it is much more “cake” like then pudding like this time.
The title is apprepeau as I have a little announcement to make as well. Remember back a few weeks, when I said I had some big news? I can’t say for sure that this cake is Better Than Sex, as I have been away from home for two weeks…hard to compare. But I will say it filled a craving. Cravings I’ve been having for a couple of months. Cravings that could just not be satisfied by your run of the mill puddings and cakes. Yes, that’s right readers…the Guilty Kitchen is expanding. We found out a few weeks ago, and confirmed yesterday by our midwives, that we are entering the second trimester of our second pregnancy! A bit of a surprise, but we are ecstatic nonetheless.
I’m over the hump of feeling queasy all day, but I have to say it was a struggle to cook for some of the meals in the past month or so. I was very happy to be in my sisters kitchen for two weeks sharing the burden with others.
So enjoy this recipe friends, and I hope it finds it’s way to your holiday tables this year as well.
Better Than Sex Cake
Cheesecake Layer
2 cups Graham Wafer Crumbs
2/3 cup white sugar
2/3 cup melted butter
1 1/2 oz Frangelico Liquer
1 Tbsp gelatin powder
1/4 cup whole milk
8 oz. cream cheese, room temperature
2 eggs
scant 1/2 tsp salt
1/2 cup sugar
1 tsp vanilla
1/4 cup sour cream
1 1/2 tbsp flour
1 1/2 oz. Grand Marnier
1. Preheat oven to 350°F.
2. In a large bowl, mix graham crumbs, melted butter, sugar and Frangelico.
3. Press into bottom of a greased, 9 x 13 glass pan. Bake for 8 minutes and remove from oven to cool slightly.
4. In small bowl pour 1/4 cup whole milk, sprinkle gelatin over to soften and let rest 5-10 minutes.
5. In separate bowl, cream together cream cheese, sour cream, sugar and eggs.
6. Add in salt, vanilla, Grand Marnier and flour.
7. Mix in gelatin/milk mix. Beat with a whisk until well incorporated.
8. Pour cheesecake mixture over baked crust and spread to evenly layer it.
9. Put 1″ of water into a separate oven safe dish and place on bottom rack of oven. Steam can help the cheesecake from cracking.
10. Bake cheesecake for 20-25 minutes.
11. Allow to cool completely at room temperature before placing in refrigerator. Must be cooled completely before adding next layer.
Chocolate Pudding Layer
1/4 cup cornstarch
1/2 cup sugar
1/8 tsp salt
1/3 cup cocoa powder
3 cups whole milk
1 Tbsp gelatin
6oz semi-sweet chocolate, roughly chopped
1 tsp vanilla
2 oz. Kahlua
1. Take 1/2 cup of the milk in a small bowl and sprinkle the gelatin over. Allow to sit for 5-10 minutes to soften.
2. Combine cornstarch, sugar, salt and cocoa powder in top of double boiler. Mix until well combined.
3. Slowly whisk in the milk, making sure to use a spatula to scrape the sides and bottom to fully incorporate all ingredients.
4. Set over slowly simmering water in bottom of double boiler.
5. Using a whisk, stir for the next 15-20 minutes (it is not necessary to stir constantly).
6. Add in chopped chocolate and gelatin/milk mixture and stir for another 3-5 minutes.
7. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla and Kahlua.
8. Pour over cooled cheesecake layer and allow to cool in refrigerator, uncovered until completely set (30 minutes to 3 hours or more).
Final Layer
2 cups Whipping cream
1 oz. dark chocolate
1. Whip cream until stiff peaks form.
2. Spread over cooled pudding layer and grate chocolate over for garnish.
Congratulations!
And the cake looks divine. It’ll be on my dessert list this Christmas.
Congratulations!! I figure anything with Frangelico, Grand Marnier and Kahlua has to be good =)
Totally meets the expectations of the title!
.-= Evie´s last blog ..Prosciutto and Mushroom Pizza with Arugula =-.
Congratulations on the news and the recipe. What a great picture too!
.-= Noelle´s last blog ..Fried Wonton Chopped Salad =-.
Congratulations!
And the cake looks fantastic!
.-= My Man’s Belly´s last blog ..Blueberry Compote Bread Pudding with Soft Curd Cheese Sabayon =-.
Oh, congraz on your 2nd pregnancy!
This cake just like another version of tiramisu with lots of more flavours.
.-= lululu´s last blog ..Pumpkin Cheesecake with Gingersnap/Pecan Crust and Maple Caramel Topping =-.
My oh my, your second child! What an incredible holiday blessing for your family!! I hope they are a foodie 🙂 I can’t even begin to comprehend the fabulousness of this cake, but if what you made is better than my night last night, than it must not only be better but its a gift from God.
.-= Rachel J´s last blog ..My Greatest Idea to Date, RETRO Lab Pie Day =-.
Those layers on that cake is to die for! Love it!!!
Congrats on your pregnancy.
This is an interesting take on the “Better than Sex” cake idea that I’ve seen in cookbooks and other places.
Though I have to say that as much as I love chocolate I don’t honestly think they compare.
.-= The Chocolate Priestess´s last blog ..Chocolate and Heart Attacks =-.
congrats on baby number two!
my sister’s first is due in february and i’m trying to decide what to make for the shower. maybe i’ll try this one out 🙂
.-= Gizelle Marie´s last blog ..A Thanksgiving Feast =-.
Congratulations for the 2nd one on the way!
YAYAYAY!! Congrats Liz – those are some luky kids (and hubby!) to have you as their talented Momma!
Looks yummy. Congratulations!
.-= Liz Marr, MS, RD´s last blog ..Carrot Love =-.
Congrats! Congrats! Congrats! Very exciting! Thanks for sharing your wonderful news!
Congrats! I should think that cake would fulfill any craving, no matter how strong!!
.-= Tasty Trix´s last blog ..Thalassina me Manestra: Shrimp and Orzo Casserole, Inspired by a Great Day at the Greek Festival =-.
Congrats, who wonderful!!! Can’t wait to try this cake, we are all chocoholics in my house!
Congrats!!! How wonderful for you! Can’t wait to try this cake we are all chocoholics in this house. add to that the Frangelico, the Grand Marnier and the Kahlua
Congrats! Have another slice of cake to celebrate! (It must be baby time – my lil sis told us on Thanksgiving that she’s expecting, and then called yesterday to tell me that it’s TWINS! Yikes!)
Congrats! This cake looks absolutely fab, I can’t wait to try it!
.-= LVK´s last blog ..Butter Lane Cupcakes =-.
wow. this is all my favorite things. and a perfect excuse to buy all those liqueurs.
You had me at “better than sex” part. Wonderful delicious looking cake, and congrats on your pregnancy!
.-= Shelly´s last blog ..The Lonely Turned Lovely Eggplant Sushi Roll =-.
Congratulations! I was going to question the “better than sex”, but looks like it’s a close second. I’ll be trying the cake soon.
This got my attention! Truly a creamy wonder of lusciousness. Congrats on your expanding kitchen.More people to cook with … eventually. Love the site.
.-= Claudia´s last blog ..Pomegranate Molasses for World’s AIDS Day =-.
Hello and Congratulations…how wonderful for you and your family!
This cake looks ridiculous!! My husband will flip – I am definatley going to make it for him…thanks!
.-= SouffleBombay´s last blog ..Spinach, Cream Cheese and Scallion Stuffed Chicken Breasts =-.
So gorgeous with all those layers! I just stumbled upon your blog and I’m enjoying checking it out. Congrats on your little one!
.-= Kerstin´s last blog ..Hotel Chocolat Giveaway! =-.
Naughty…I love it!!!
So naughty – I love it! CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Oh my goodness!!! Congratulations! What great news!!
And your cake looks AMAZING! I will be giving that a try this year! We already have our tree at home, but we will be cutting down our first at Dave’s parents house this year too!
Congratulations! This cake looks gorgeous and sounds delicious.
Oh, how very exciting! Congratulations!
Man, I knew I was missing out on good stuff–this is big news! Finally catching up on Google Reader, so I’m a little late with the congrats.
Hope you are feeling well..
.-= Aimee´s last blog ..Aimee’s Canadian Mincemeat =-.
I’m feeling fabulous now Aimee, thanks!
all those layers sound so good. i’m just obsessed with chocolate pudding right now
.-= Carrie´s last blog ..Crock Pot is on the Way =-.
Congratulations, and may you all be happy and healthy for a good long time.
It’s “a propos.”
This is very similar to a favorite holiday dessert in my family– called fat man pie. It’s essentially the better than sex cake, but with pecan shortbread instead of the graham cracker crust.
this isn’t better than sex cake this is sex in a pan.. a chocolate pudding whipped cream desset yes it is made as you directed and is very good just have the name wrong.
Apropos!! And congratulations!–although baby must be about
Your cake looks deliciously awesome I can take a bite out of it right now.
Beautiful!!!
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