.daring bakers challenge: march.

The March 2011 Daring Baker's Challenge was hosted by Ria of Ria's Collection and Jamie of Life's a Feast. Ria and Jamie challenged The Daring Baker to bake a yeasted Meringue Coffee Cake. The recipe is up on the Daring Kitchen!

Completely oozing chocolate

And more chocolate

I immediately knew this was going to be a rocking awesome challenge. As soon as I saw the write up it reminded me of the pain au chocolate (chocolate filled bread) that I used to get from Kaladi Brothers in Anchorage. I am also still trying to master baking with yeast so I was even more excited for extra practice. It was also really nice to hear where the recipe for the coffee cake came from: An old, yellowed piece of paper in Jamie's father's recipe collection from the 1970s. I love that! I decided I was going to do a milk and dark chocolate and pecan coffee cake as well as a savory version with artichoke hearts, olives and goat cheese (hippy food, as the man says).

"Pizza" roll

Overall the recipe came together quite nicely. I did have one complete blond moment where, upon putting the dough in a greased bowl to rise I realized I had forgotten the eggs! I stuck everything back in the mixer and hoped for the best. As it turns out the dough came out quite nicely. I used half white flour and half wheat flour.

The rolls themselves were both incredible. The "pizza" roll, as we've dubbed it, was delicious. I may only be saying that though because I am obsessed with goat cheese. I think because of the olives and artichoke being packed in water, and how liquid the pizza sauce was, the dough in the very middle of the roll remained slightly doughy. Not too big of an issue, but next time I'll probably try to use ingredients that are dried better and cook the roll a little bit longer than 30 minutes.

Oh goat cheese... you are so good.

The yeasted meringue coffee cake though... WOW. This is one of the best things I've made in awhile. It combines two of my favorite things: bread and chocolate! It was absolutely delicious.  I would quote the man but he said inappropriate things about it. Good inappropriate, but inappropriate none the less.

Meringue and cinnamon.

Pecans jumped in.

Then chocolate joins the party.

He's ready for his close up.

Getting an egg wash.

Snipping the vents.

Great challenge this month. I actually feel like a mastered it, which is always a plus!

XO