My Existence is Justified? Is Yours?

Am I being a bit dramatic? Perhaps, but it was my cousin who told me that I had justified my existence with the invention of the cake pictured above. He said if I never created another dessert in my entire life, I would still have reached my zenith of creativity and deliciousness. People ask me all the time what my favorite dessert is and there could never be just one, but this just might be my fave in the cake category. My BFFs Juanita and Mary are both gaga over it and readily proclaim it is their absolute favorite – or as Juanita says “The Best Cake in The Whole Wide World”. She wants me to go into business just making this. Churning out cake after cake in a little shack. She even found me the little shack. It happens to be behind her gym. I asked her if she needed a drive up window LOL. I know where Her priorities lie.

Does this ring your bells? Almond paste is featured in the batter, which is added for flavor and moistness; minced apricots are soaked in cognac and folded into the cake along with bittersweet chocolate shavings. The top is covered with a layer of marzipan and then glazed with chocolate ganache. It is chic and simple left as is, but marzipan, almond and/or apricot decorations can embellish the top. In my book Unforgettable Desserts I go all out and make marzipan roses, tendrils and leaves for the top. I bring you my Chocolate Glazed Marzipan Cake with Cognac Soaked Apricots

Here is a close-up of some optional decorations: