Monday, November 14, 2011

Treat of the Week: Pecan Maple Penuche Cake


Here’s a dessert fit for royalty. A moist, spicy cake has been iced with a rich, thick maple penuche and topped with pecans.

Now, what’s a penuche? A penuche is a fudge-like confection made of brown sugar, cream and butter. Maple syrup is very often added to this popular candy, so much so that, in many regions penuche always has a maple flavor. In many ways, a penuche is like a praline.

Due to its consistency, penuche can be spread onto a cake as an icing. As it cools, it hardens. The texture of the penuche—thick, sugary , soft and fudgy is a perfect counterpoint to a moist cake. My mother, here, has created a beautiful maple penuche and used it as an icing. It is truly decadent and wonderful.

Try looking for penuche recipes to find one that you like. Use the warm penuche mixture as an icing with your favorite cake and see what you think.





10 comments:

Book Gurl said...

What a wonderful idea! I adore this kind of old fashioned cake.

Anonymous said...

I would love to eat this.

Carolyn said...

Another magnificent creation!!!! Food genius!

Gene said...

Delicious.

Matt said...

Wow! This cake seems very Louisiana-ish to me. Maybe Mr. Punch can get a piece while he's running through New Orleans with that poor baby. I would run through New Orleans (without a baby) for this cake!

Joseph Crisalli said...

So do I, Book Gurl. This one reminded me of the cake from "Meet Me in St. Louis."

Joseph Crisalli said...

I don't blame you, anon!

Joseph Crisalli said...

She is a food genius, Carolyn. And a genius in other ways, too.

Joseph Crisalli said...

Thanks, Gene.

Joseph Crisalli said...

I think our Mr. Punch would appreciate this cake a lot, Matt. I'm glad you do, too. Thanks for your comment!