F U NÑD e s s e r t
Jocelyn’s Holiday Traditions
Delk Adams (right) cozying up with Harmony and her mom, Joyce Small Delk (left)
Movies ... and cookies “We have a list of movies that we watch every year, like National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation, Home Alone, and It’s a Wonderful Life. I’m sure that my family is tired of me at this point, but it’s a big to-do. We’ll watch movies and I’ll bake.”
Mint-Chocolate Cake Active Time 30 minutes Total Time 2 hours 30 minutes Makes 16 servings I N G R E DI E N T S For the chocolate cake Nonstick cooking spray ¾ cup vegetable oil ¾ cup granulated sugar ⅔ cup whole milk, at room temperature 1/2 cup packed light-brown sugar 1 Tbs. pure vanilla extract 3 large eggs, at room temperature 2 cups all-purpose flour 1 cup unsweetened cocoa 2 tsp. baking powder 1 tsp. baking soda 1 tsp. kosher salt 11/4 cups very hot brewed coffee or water For the mint buttercream frosting 2 cups (4 sticks) unsalted butter, at room temperature 1/2 tsp. kosher salt 6 cups confectioners’ sugar 1/4 cup heavy whipping cream 1 Tbs. pure vanilla extract 1 tsp. mint extract 1 tsp. green food-coloring gel, plus more as needed for desired color For the ganache 1 cup white-chocolate chips or chopped white-chocolate bar 1/3 cup heavy whipping cream Green food-coloring gel Chocolate shavings for topping (optional) MAKE IT
1. Prepare the chocolate cake: Preheat oven to 350°F. Coat bottoms and sides of three 8-in. round cake pans with cooking spray. Line bottoms with parchment paper and coat again with cooking spray. 2. Beat oil, granulated sugar, milk, brown sugar, vanilla, and eggs in a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment on mediumlow speed until combined, about 1 minute. Whisk together flour,
PA R E N T S
52 D E C E M B E R
2021
Kwanzaa customs “In addition to Christmas, our family celebrates Kwanzaa. We make a special meal and introduce Harmony to the seven principles of the holiday. The first one, Umoja, means ‘unity.’ ”
Music nonstop
cocoa, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a bowl. Gradually add flour mixture to sugar mixture in three additions, alternating with hot coffee, beating on medium-low speed just until blended after each addition. Scrape down sides of bowl as needed, and beat until smooth, about 30 seconds. Divide batter among prepared pans. 3. Bake until a wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean, 18 to 21 minutes. Cool cakes in pans 10 minutes. Transfer cakes from pans to a wire rack to cool completely, about 45 minutes. 4. Meanwhile, prepare the mint buttercream frosting: Beat butter and salt in a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment on medium-low speed until smooth, 1 to 2 minutes. Reduce speed to low; gradually add confectioners’ sugar, beating until blended after each addition, about 30 seconds. Increase speed to medium-high, and beat until well blended, about 30 seconds. Add cream, vanilla, and mint extract; beat until fluffy, about 1 minute. Reduce speed to low, and beat in 1 tsp. food
coloring. Add additional food coloring to reach desired shade of green. Chill until ready to use. (If the frosting hardens, beat on medium speed until smooth.)
5. Prepare the ganache: Place white-chocolate chips in a heatproof bowl; set aside. Heat cream in a saucepan over medium-high until cream starts to simmer (bubbles will form around edge and a soft boil will start in middle). Remove from heat; pour over chips, and let stand 1 minute. Whisk gently until smooth and shiny. Whisk in food coloring. Let cool to room temperature, without stirring, about 15 minutes. 6. Using a serrated knife, cut tops from cakes until level, if needed. Spread mint buttercream frosting between layers and on top and sides of cake. Carefully pour desired amount of ganache over top of cake, allowing it to drip over sides. Top with chocolate shavings, if using. Let cake stand until ganache is set, about 30 minutes, before serving. The cake can stand at room temperature for up to 1 day. Refrigerate leftovers, covered, for up to 3 days.
“I will start playing the instrumental jazz soundtrack of A Charlie Brown Christmas in September. By November, if I can wait that long, I put on my entire playlist, including the Jackson 5 Christmas Album, ‘This Christmas,’ by Donny Hathaway, and The Temptations’ version of ‘Silent Night,’my mom’s favorite song.”
Sleep cute “We are that ‘matching holiday pajamas’ kind of family. Last year’s version had a Christmas lights design. We voted on that theme, and we’ll probably vote on the pattern again this year.”
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