Brew Something Fiendish With Keurg 2.0: Mocha Zombie Cakes Recipe

**I received a Keurig 2.0 through a media event. I was in no way required to post the following content. All opinions and images below are original and copyright Momma Told Me Blog 2014.

Momma Told Me: Sometimes you have to try something new to bring something old to life.

We're in the middle of October and that means, some of us, are already preparing for Thanksgiving, and even December's events. In Southern California, where the seasonal changes are primarily marked by window displays at the shopping mall, we're not quite feeling the pressure to move on. In fact, these past few days have been delightfully blustery, a sure sign of a SoCal Fall- but not quite cool or chilly. So I set out, with the help of my Keurig 2.0, to brew something fiendish in my quiet little kitchen.

 I don't drink a lot of coffee- which is odd, since some of my earliest childhood memories are of begging for a sip from Momma's complimentary cup at the grocery store while couponing. I like the flavor of coffee, and certainly the smell of a freshly brewed cup, but will take tea anyday as my chosen hot-brewed beverage. That is why our single cup brewer has become so integral in our household; a fresh cup of pretty much anything to please pretty much anyone. And boy do we have a lot of everything; lemonade, flavored iced tea, hot cocoa, dark roast coffee, light roast coffee, English tea, and more.

We'd had our humble little mini Keurig for a while; back when coffee was primarily the only thing one would brew in it. However, with the range of new brands and varieties coming to the kineup every day, it was time to upgrade to something that might better satisfy a crowd. The New Keurig 2.0 does just that and more with the flexibility to brew 3 different cup sizes (or strengths) and a carafe of multiple cups (up to 5). The new touch-screen interface system is even rendered in gorgeous color for intuitive operation, and friendly design. And, as I prepared to brew something especially wicked, I waseven able to set the mood by adjusting the tank's lighting to a creepy crimson red.

While we don't entertain everyday, there were often times, with our old Keurig, we brewed multiple cups for enjoyment later; or even to fill those extra tall tumblers throughout the day. With K-Carafe cups that are larger in size, but functional with the 2.0 system (while being backwards compatible to traditional K-Cup) I can brew multiple servings at once, saving time and money. I especially love the lack of material/plastic waste from the larger cups- where as I would have traditionally thrown out 4-5 K-cups before to brew the same amount.

For now, the varieties in the K-arafe cup range are not wide, and mainly limited to coffee variations. This is perfectly fine with me, who bakes often with coffee as a substitute for water and other liquids. Just ask anyone I know about my family's famous German Sauerkraut Chocolate Cake- the 'S' in the recipe isn't the only surprising secret ingredient that keeps the cake extra moist and decadent! However, on this particularly ghoulish afternoon I was whipping up a simple Mocha Cake base for some mini Zombie Cakes I'd envisioned the week prior.

With all of the wonderful cake decorating and baking aids readily available in the modern craft store, or even the seasonal aisle of one's local Walmart, making a fiendish delight come to life is easier than ever. I'd been holding onto a few pairs of mini (5") springform pans for a while, and they were just the size for these special treats. I also found 'Slime Green' Wilton cake decorating gel, and gummy eyeballs for under $2 at Walmart. Paired with a piping bag, some red food color, and a few minutes patience these chilled layers of mocha cake came to life quickly!

Baking with coffee is something the Old English and Germanic generations have done for centuries; it dies not have to overpower flavoring. In fact, in order to truly flavor a cake like coffee one would require more of an espresso substitution. In this particular recipe a dark roast is used to help mellow out the cocoa and make for an extra moist 'dark' chocolate cake flavor. No brains involved! Okay, maybe ONE brain- my own, but that remains securely in my head!

Do you have a secret ingredient you use in cooking some might not expect?

What Daughter Says: Baking with coffee brings new flavor to old favorites.

Mocha Zombie Cakes

**Click here for Mocha Zombie Cakes Recipe

Ingredients:

2 C Granulated Sugar

1 3/4 C All Purpose Flour

3/4 C Dutch Processed (Dark) Cocoa

2 TSP Baking Soda

1 TSP Baking Powder

1 TSP Salt

1 C Buttermilk

1 C Strong Brewed Dark Roast Coffee

1/2 C Vegetable Oil

1 TSP Vanilla Extract

To Decorate:

2 C Frosting of choice

Red Food Color

Green (Sparkle Preferred) Food Decorating Gel

Gummy Eyeballs (These may be made by decorating slices marshmallows)

Piping Bag and Straight Tip

Directions: 

Preheat Oven to 350F

1. Grease and flour 5-6" mini Springform pans (I buy mine at the craft store, you can buy them single or in packs of 3.)

2. Combine dry ingredients in large bowl. Add remaining ingredients, one by one. Beat on medium speed in mixer about 2 minutes, until smooth and all ingredients are fully incorporated. Batter will be thin. Pour to just about 1/2 height in prepared pans. Batter will yield about 6-8 layers i the 5-6" size, or 3-4 two layer mini cakes.

3. Bake 30-35 MINS, or until pick inserted comes out clean. Cool 10 mins in pan, and then remove and allow to cool (chill preferred) completely before decorating.

4. To Assemble: Add red coloring to frosting until it reaches the shade of choice. Frost two, chilled, layers together and frost the outer layer with a thin, uniform coating. Place remaining colored frosting into a piping bag with straight tip. Beginning on the outside edge (top) pipe tight spirals. Continue to pipe spirals of even or varied size until the top is covered. Using the green gel, create round spirals where you wish to place the eyes- the green spiral effect will create a 'sagging' visual effect beneath the eyes. Place your eyes on top. Decorate uneven edges on the bottom with 'buttons' of leftover frosting.