Laurie Colwins Black Cake Recipes

LAURIE COLWIN'S NUTMEG CAKE

Steps:

• Butter the sides only of a 10-inch springform pan.
• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• In a large mixing bowl, combine the butter, cut into 6-8 pieces, with the flour and dark brown sugar. Using a pastry blender, cut the butter into the flour and sugar until the mixture resembles fine meal.
• Measure out 2 1/2 cups of this mixture and spread it evenly in the bottom of the prepared pan. With your hand flat, firmly compress the mixture evenly into the bottom of the pan.
• Add the spices to the remaining dry ingredients.
• Mix well.
• In a small bowl stir the egg and yogurt together to mix well.
• With a wooden spoon, stir the wet mixture into the dry mixture.
• Sprinkle the baking soda over the surface of the batter and gently but thoroughly stir it inches.
• Spread this batter over the mixture that was pressed into the bottom of the pan.
• With a rubber spatula smooth the top of the batter.
• Scatter the walnuts on top.
• Bake in a preheated 350 oven for 50-55 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean and the sides of the cake have shrunk slightly away from the pan.
• Cool in the pan, on a rack, for 5 minutes.
• Then slide a knife around the edge of the cake to be sure it's not stuck.
• Remove the sides of the pan and cool cake completely.

LAURIE COLWIN'S BREAD

Steps:

• In a large bread bowl mix the flours, salt, and germ.
• Mix the yeast with the liquids. You may use more water than milk to equal 1 1/2 cups, if desired.
• Pour the liquid into the flour and stir. The dough should not be dry or sticky, but tend to sticky. If too sticky, add a little more flour.
• Knead the dough well, roll in flour, and put in a warm bow. Leave in a cool, draft-free place and go about your day.
• When you get home, punch down the dough and knead it well. Roll again in flour and forget it until convenient.
• Sometime later, punch dough down again. Give it a final kneading. Shape into a baguette, slash the top with four diagonal cuts, brush with water and let proof for a few minutes, if you have the time.
• Bake at 450 for 30 minutes. Turn the oven to 425 and bake another 20 minutes.