Chocolate Pocky Cake, #SundaySupper

Dorothy clicks her ruby red slippers and declares three-times: “There’s no place like home.” Magically, the little girl and her dog, Toto are transported back to safety and comfort. Do you ever wish you could click your heels and go back in time?  When challenged with the unfamiliar, foods singing of childhood memories do seem to beckon this Ninja Baker.



After School Snack Time in Tokyo: Chocolate Pocky & Strawberry Cream Pocky 

Japanese Pocky is one of those foods for me. You know the skinny cookie/biscuit stick dipped in classic chocolate or strawberry cream or green tea matcha? In my hometown of Tokyo, Pocky is the perfect snack for transporting on the train. The chocolate topping melts in your mouth, not on your hands. (Yes, Pocky could be the M & Ms of the cookie family.) Plus, who can beat the combo of chocolate and cookies in one bite?



Luscious Chocolate Cake and Frosting with a Pocky Garnish!

The sweetest part of the Pocky is the memory of sharing the boxes with friends. Innocent chitter-chatter about school plays; homework and slumber parties took center stage. No talk about gas prices or water shortages or paying mortgages. My friends and I led sheltered lives.  Like the trains we rode where we chatted and savored our Pocky chocolate covered cookie sticks, time rumbled forward.  And at 18 as I stepped on a flight from Narita to LA, with my pack of Pocky for the airplane ride, I couldn’t fathom the changes in store. Yes, it was culture shock. I was a stranger in a strange land…, which was weird because I was blonde and blue-eyed and looked more like the people of the land. Yet, as many turbulent rides as I took in adjusting to my new hometown, I feel as if angels and a higher force were always there; whispering that all is well when I listen to my heart and remember “There’s no place like home.”



What treat tickles your taste buds back to memories of your hometown?

The #SundaySupper crew is preparing a feast of hometown goodies to share around the virtual Twitter dinner table. (Scroll down to see your detailed invite.) I baked a Chocolate Pocky Cake. The recipes for the classic American chocolate cake and frosting are from the back of the Ghirardelli cocoa powder. Japanese Pocky is crumbled into the whipped cream filling and serves as the crunchy and scrumptious garnish.

Chocolate Pocky Cake and Chocolate Buttercream

A smooth chocolaty cake blends with whipped cream. Crumbled Pocky gives the dessert a pleasant surprise crunch...Nuts are great additions to cake...But, Pocky is better! 

The recipes are closely adapted from Ghirardelli's Grand Fudge Cake and Chocolate Buttercream recipes.

Ingredients: 


For the Chocolate Cake:

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • ¾ cup unsweetened cocoa
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup softened butter
  • 1¾ cups sugar
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 1/3 cups coconut milk (or almond or regular)

For the Chocolate Frosting:

  • 12 tablespoons softened butter
  • 4 cups powdered sugar
  • 1 cup unsweetened cocoa
  • 2/3 cup coconut milk
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla

For the Cream Filling:

  • 1/2 pint heavy cream
  • 1/4 cup powdered sugar

For the Garnish and Cream Filling:

  • 2 packages of Chocolate Pocky
  • ​2 packages of Strawberry Cream Pocky
Directions: 


Set the oven to 350 degrees. Butter, flour and line two 9-inch pans with parchment paper.

Whisk together the flour, cocoa, baking powder, soda and salt.

In another bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until fluffy and light. (About 5 minutes.) One at a time, add the eggs and vanilla. Pour in the flour mixture alternately with the milk. When the batter is smooth, stop the mixer. Divide the batter between two 9-inch pans.

Bake for 30 to 35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool.

Cream the butter to a fluffy lightness. Whisk together the sugar and cocoa. Add to the butter bowl alternately with the coconut milk. Stir in the vanilla. 

Whip up a 1/2 pint of heavy cream with 1/4 cup of powdered sugar until stiff peaks appear. Slather the whipped cream in between the layers with 1/4 cup of crumbled Pocky. (I used Strawberry Cream Pocky.) 

Frost the cake. Arrange the Pocky around the cake. Crumble the rest of the Pocky and decorate the top of the frosted chocolate cake....Or enjoy as a snack! 

Coleen, The Red Head Baker leads this dance down memory lane for tonight's #SundaySupper. The red-headed Coleen is culinary program-trained baker. Lucky for us she shares her yummy creations. Her sophisticated but homey goodness infused Spinach, Sausage and Polenta Breakfast Casserole is but one example. (By the way, Coleen is also a talented graphic designer!).So, while your significant other is enraptured by a football game, open your computer, pop in those ear buds and join us around the #SundaySupper at Twitter. 

Breakfast

Breakfast Drinks Appetizers and Snacks Main Dishes Side Dishes Desserts

Sunday Supper MovementJoin the #SundaySupper conversation on twitter on Sunday! We tweet throughout the day and share recipes from all over the world. Our weekly chat starts at 7:00 pm ET. Follow the #SundaySupper hashtag and remember to include it in your tweets to join in the chat. To get more great Sunday Supper Recipes, visit our website or check out our Pinterest board. Would you like to join the Sunday Supper Movement? It’s easy. You can sign up by clicking here: Sunday Supper Movement.

 

Wishing you a safe place to return daily and know you are always loved.

The Ninja Baker

© ™ Watkinson 2012

The Ninja Baker has guest blogged and contributed recipes to numerous food sites. These additional recipes can be found here.

 

 

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Tags: 
#chocolate
#Pocky
#cake
#Japanese
#SundaySupper