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Japanese Maples Fall Color

'Skeeter's Broom' is the most colorful maple in our garden. I have just returned from a 2-week trip to Japan. This was my first ever trip outside the United States. It was an amazing experience and one I will never forget. Japan was wonderful - they really have their act together and I think the U.S. could learn a few things from them. There was one disappointment on the trip - the fall color had barely begun there and was really just beginning as we left. That is okay because the gardens were still spectacular, and I got a nice shot of fall color when I got back. 'Ryusen' I missed a few things - our ginkgo had just turned a glorious color the day before I left, and the leaves were gone by the time I got back.  'Sango-Kaku' I came home to many leaves on the ground but still a lot on the trees. 'Osakazuki', a beautiful red maple always changed color very late and therefore doesn't usually last long. When I left there was no color but a few remaini
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Barefoot Contessa's Mocha Chocolate Icebox Cake


Despite the plethora of recipes lately on my blog, I'm actually on a diet and I've lost almost 10 pounds in the past month. Unfortunately my worst enemy is sugar and I love the sweet stuff.  I'm only allowing myself one day per week of indulgence. I made this a few weekends ago when we had company. It comes from Ina Garten (Barefoot Contessa) and it is wonderful.


The recipe calls for a thin chocolate chip cookie and she recommends a variety. But you can never find anything the TV chefs recommend in Florence. A recipe reviewer mentioned an Alton Brown thin chocolate chip cookie recipe and I made those to go in the cake. The cookies are awesome, very soft and perfect for this recipe.


Mocha Chocolate Icebox Cake


  • 2 cups cold heavy cream
  • 12 ounces Italian mascarpone cheese
  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 1/4 cup coffee liqueur, such as Kahlua
  • 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder, such as Pernigotti
  • 1 teaspoon instant espresso powder
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • 3 (8-ounce) packages chocolate chip cookies, such as Tate's Bake Shop
  • Shaved semisweet chocolate, for garnish

Directions

In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, combine the heavy cream, mascarpone, sugar, coffee liqueur, cocoa powder, espresso powder, and vanilla. Mix on low speed to combine and then slowly raise the speed, until it forms firm peaks. 

To assemble the cake, arrange chocolate chip cookies flat in an 8-inch springform pan, covering the bottom as much as possible. (I break some cookies to fill in the spaces.) Spread a fifth of the mocha whipped cream evenly over the cookies. Place another layer of cookies on top, lying flat and touching, followed by another fifth of the cream. Continue layering cookies and cream until there are 5 layers of each, ending with a layer of cream. Smooth the top, cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate overnight.

Run a small sharp knife around the outside of the cake and remove the sides of the pan. Sprinkle the top with the chocolate, cut in wedges, and serve cold.



Text and photos by Phillip Oliver, Dirt Therapy
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  1. AnonymousJuly 16, 2011 at 12:24 PM

    mniam, mniam ...

    ReplyDelete
  2. Lisa at GreenbowJuly 16, 2011 at 12:50 PM

    I am trying not to drool. Congrats on the weight loss.

    ReplyDelete
  3. F CameronJuly 16, 2011 at 12:58 PM

    Don't do this to me! Yummm...are the calories going to jump through the WWW?

    Yes, congrats on your weight loss. Stay healthy.

    ReplyDelete
  4. AmandaJuly 16, 2011 at 1:12 PM

    Looks delicious. Thanks for sharing!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Jean CampbellJuly 16, 2011 at 1:56 PM

    Looks too good for mere mortals.

    Overripe figs are falling off the tree here. DH insisted that we pick more. I made fresh fig cookies.

    We caught the well-behaved dog who knows the rule about no lips on the table, stealing a cooling cookie. They are that good.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Jean CampbellJuly 16, 2011 at 2:43 PM

    In answer to your question about Japanese beetles, I don't know if they harm okra pods but I would pick them off mine, hateful things.

    I have aphids that just disfigure the edge where the pod attaches to the stem and that can be cut off. There are ant hills all around and ants are all over, encouraging the aphids. They aren't fire ants, just regular old ants that bite but don't make a terrible festered bump like a fire ant. So far I'm just blasting the aphids with the hose.

    ReplyDelete
  7. AnonymousJuly 16, 2011 at 3:38 PM

    Good grief, how did you lose that weight? I am trying to but instead of going down, I'm going up ;)

    ReplyDelete
  8. Phillip OliverJuly 16, 2011 at 5:08 PM

    NellJean, thanks for the info!

    Anon, basically just eating smaller portions and only eating rich desserts once per week. Also walking the treadmill daily helps!

    ReplyDelete
  9. rebeccaJuly 17, 2011 at 8:41 AM

    Good God.

    I must try to make this!

    Hope you enjoy your Sunday!

    ReplyDelete
  10. BridgetJuly 17, 2011 at 10:36 AM

    That cake looks fab! I too have to watch out for the sweet stuff, I like it too much.

    ReplyDelete
  11. greggoJuly 17, 2011 at 12:49 PM

    I gained a pound just looking at it.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Rosedale GardenJuly 17, 2011 at 6:19 PM

    Can you say hardening of the arteries? Mother has been making peach muffins and strawberry bread. I've been trying to discourage her from bringing them over. Mary

    ReplyDelete
  13. C. C.July 18, 2011 at 6:09 AM

    Mmmm... I make something similar called Mexican Chocolate Icebox Cake that uses ladyfingers dipped in liqueur and is topped with whipped cream. This looks better. I'll try it. Thanks, and congrats on your weight loss!

    ReplyDelete
  14. sweetbayJuly 18, 2011 at 9:06 AM

    Congrats on the weight loss. That does look good. I love the sweet stuff too.

    ReplyDelete
  15. LisaJuly 18, 2011 at 10:17 AM

    That cake looks so yummy.

    Lisa from Acoustic Guitar Lessons

    ReplyDelete
  16. debsgardenJuly 19, 2011 at 9:06 AM

    I'm on a diet, too. This post didn't make it any easier.

    ReplyDelete
  17. anunturi gratuiteJuly 25, 2011 at 10:54 PM

    Oh my God this looks so good and i`m sure that it is delicious too. I think it is not a very difficult recipe so i will give it a try, thanks a lot for sharing.

    ReplyDelete

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