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Esteemed Contributor
Posts: 5,258
Registered: ‎03-10-2010

@highmaintenancejanwrote:

@sfnative

 

Oh you are making me homesick and nostalgic...Blum's Crunch Cake was my FAVORITE!!!!


@highmaintenancejan

 

Hi highmaintenancejan!  Here you go!  The recipe for "Coffee Crunch Cake" follows.  It is far from a Betty Crockers "cake-in-a-box," so is something those of us with the recipe usually make once or twice a year.  It was Blum's best selling cake, as you can probably recall.  I've also got the recipe for their best selling pie.  let me know if you're interested.  Hope you enjoy.  It WILL bring back memories, believe me!  XXX  Rebecca

 

BLUM'S COFFEE CRUNCH CAKE

 

Sponge:

1- 1/4 cups cake flour, sifted

1-1/2 cups caster sugar

1/2 teaspoon salt

6 egg yolks

1/4 cup water

1 cup (7 to 8) large egg whites

1 teaspoon cream of tartar

1 teaspoon vanilla

1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice

1 teaspoon grated lemon zest

Coffee Crunch:

Unflavored vegetable oil

1 tablespoon baking soda, sifted

1/4 cup strong brewed coffee

1 1/2 cups caster sugar

1/4 cup light corn syrup

Frosting:

2 cups heavy cream

2 tablespoons caster sugar

2 teaspoons vanilla

 

INSTRUCTIONS:

 

For the sponge: Adjust rack to lower third of oven; preheat oven to 350 degrees. Sift flour, 3/4 cup sugar and the salt onto a sheet of wax paper; set aside.

In a separate bowl and using a hand mixer, beat egg yolks with 1/4 cup sugar until thick and pale yellow. Add water and beat until thickened, about 4 minutes.

 

Whisk egg whites in bowl of a “warmed” heavy-duty mixer just until frothy. Add cream of tartar; whisk until soft peaks form. Add remaining 1/2 cup sugar in a steady stream, whisking until thicker, stiffer, glossy peaks form -- about 2 to 3 minutes. Whisk in vanilla, lemon juice and lemon zest. Pour yolk mixture over whites. Fold together with a rubber spatula. Using a metal spatula, scoop up a third of the flour mixture and sprinkle over mixture; fold in with a rubber spatula. Repeat two more times just until ingredients are incorporated. Gently pour batter into an ungreased 10- inch round tube pan with removable bottom (such as an angel food pan). Level top with a rubber spatula.

 

Bake for 50 to 55 minutes, or until top springs back slightly when lightly touched. Invert pan over a long-necked bottle to cool for about 45 minutes.

 

To remove cake from pan, slip a flexible metal spatula down one side of pan; slowly trace perimeter to release the cake. When sides are free, push up on bottom to release cake. Tilt cake, with removable bottom still attached, and gently tap bottom against counter to loosen cake. Rotate cake, tapping a few more times, until it appears free. Cover cake with a rack, and invert; remove bottom of pan.

 

Coffee Crunch Topping: Generously oil a large baking sheet; sift baking soda onto a sheet of wax paper; set nearby. Combine coffee, sugar and corn syrup in a heavy, 4-quart saucepan. Place over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, until sugar dissolves. When mixture is clear and begins to boil, increase heat to medium- high; cook until mixture reaches 290 degrees on a candy thermometer. Toward end of cooking (around 270 degrees-280 degrees), stir occasionally to prevent mixture from scorching and becoming too foamy). Remove from heat and stir in baking soda (mixture will fiercely foam up). While still foaming, pour out onto oiled baking sheet. Do not spread; let cool undisturbed for at least 1 hour.

 

Crush into very small chunks/ pieces. (Place between 2 sheets of parchment paper and tap or roll with rolling pin.) Store in an airtight container. (You want pieces, not teeny pieces or dust.)

 

For the frosting: Combine cream, sugar and vanilla; beat until cream holds soft peaks.

 

To assemble: Slice cooled cake into 3 equal layers using a serrated knife. Spread whipped cream between each layer, carefully stacking layers. Spread remaining whipped cream over top and sides of cake. Refrigerate.

 

Just before serving!!!, generously sprinkle top and sides with the coffee crunch.

 

Serves 12.

PER SERVING: 440 calories, 5 g protein, 68 g carbohydrate, 17 g fat (10 g saturated), 160 mg

 

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Registered: ‎03-09-2010

Re: Dessert Ideas

[ Edited ]

@sfnative

Thank you thank you thank you!!

I'm a California native...born in San Mateo!!

It probably won't be the same as eating it at Blum's!!!  But, Thank you!!  I also ate it at Blum's in San Mateo!!  As a kid even this was my favorite dessert!!!

I now live in Florida!!!  You are a soul sister!!  Thank you!!!

 

I don't remember the pie?  What was it?

 

Esteemed Contributor
Posts: 5,258
Registered: ‎03-10-2010

Re: Dessert Ideas

[ Edited ]

@highmaintenancejanwrote:

@sfnative

Thank you thank you thank you!!

I'm a California native...born in San Mateo!!

It probably won't be the same as eating it at Blum's!!!  But, Thank you!!  I also ate it at Blum's in San Mateo!!  As a kid even this was my favorite dessert!!!

I now live in Florida!!!  You are a soul sister!!  Thank you!!!

 

I don't remember the pie?  What was it?

 


@highmaintenancejan

 

Hi Jan,

 

The pie is the "Coffee Toffee Pie" - - very rich, with a nut/chocolate pastry shell.  You only need a thin slice to be satisfied.

 

I'll need to transpose that recipe off of my Blum's notepaper, then post for you later on.

Trusted Contributor
Posts: 1,050
Registered: ‎03-09-2010

Re: Dessert Ideas

[ Edited ]

@sfnative

 

Sounds delicious!!!  Maybe you could take a photo of it????

I would love anything Blum's!!!  You are a sweetheart!!  Only if it's not too time consuming!!  

I will definitely take the time to make the cake before my life ends!!!

xoxoxoxo

Esteemed Contributor
Posts: 5,258
Registered: ‎03-10-2010

@highmaintenancejan

 

It won't be a big deal.  I just need to find the recipe and get it into Word.  the recipe is much shorter than the cake, so frankly, not a big deal.  "Coming soon" to a kitchen near you...

Esteemed Contributor
Posts: 5,258
Registered: ‎03-10-2010

@highmaintenancejan wrote:

@sfnative

 

Sounds delicious!!!  Maybe you could take a photo of it????

I would love anything Blum's!!!  You are a sweetheart!!  Only if it's not too time consuming!!  

I will definitely take the time to make the cake before my life ends!!!

xoxoxoxo


@highmaintenancejan

 

Blum's "Coffee Toffee Pie" recipe coming up.  Made it for Easter and, of course, in all of the excitement of the day, failed to take a photo.  Must make it again soon and post a photo for you, but, in the meantime, here's the recipe.  (Note the pastry instructions have changed, due to non-availability of pre-made crust "cubes" in the bakery aisle.)  Enjoy!

 

Blum’s Coffee-Toffee Pie

 

Whenever filming in San Francisco or environs, Alfred Hitchcock always ordered this from Blum’s. A very rich pie indeed, the steps involved are well worth the results.  A great pie to make once or twice a year.

 

English Toffee Pastry Shell

Make ½ recipe of Crisco pie pastry, as instructed on side of container (must be chilled)*

¼ cup light or dark brown sugar, firmly packed

¾ cup chopped walnuts (I used pecans)

1 square unsweetened Baker’s chocolate, large grate (4 small rectangles under new pkg rules)

1 tsp vanilla

1 Tbs ice water

 

Place rack in middle position and turn on oven to 375.

 

Using pastry blender, fork or pulse in food processor (carefully), create a crumble. Place in bowl and add brown sugar, chopped nuts and grated chocolate.  Blend well with a spoon.  Remove 1 Tbs and sprinkle it into a shallow non-stick pan to be baked at the same time as the crust.  Add water to remaining pastry.  Blend well.  Press firmly into bottom and sides of a well buttered 8” pie pan (do not use a pie plate).  Moisten fingers with cold water for easy handling of pastry, if you have “hot hands.”  Bake crust for 15 minutes.  At the same time, bake the pastry crumbs for 5 minutes, only, then remove.  Cool both to room temp.

 

Chocolate-Coffee Filling

1 stick unsalted butter

¾ cup caster sugar (regular cane, if you don’t have superfine)

1 square unsweetened Baker’s chocolate, melted and cooled, but not to hardened stage

2 tsp instant coffee/espresso granules/powder, w/a bit of boiling water poured over & stirred

2 large eggs, room temp

 

Using your favorite spoon, hand-held mixer or stand mixer, cream butter. Add sugar gradually, beating until light and fluffy.  Stir in chocolate (get in every little bit) and instant coffee.  Add eggs, one at a time, beating 5 minutes after each addition.  (Use medium speed on both electric mixers.)  Pour into thoroughly cooled English Toffee Pastry Shell.  Smooth out well.

 

Whipped Cream Topping

1 cup heavy whipping cream

1 tsp instant coffee (as above)

1 Tbs powdered sugar, sieved

 

Whip cream until stiff. By hand, fold in instant coffee and powdered sugar.  Spread or pipe topping on pie.  Sprinkle with crumbs previously separated.  Chill 2 hours before serving.  (I piped stars, my granddaughter’s request, using a large, open star tip.)

 

*This bakery-converted recipe for consumer use originally called for “1 stick pie crust mix,” which used to be available, 4 to a box in the baking aisle of any market. No longer available, I now work with ½ of the Crisco recipe, which has worked well.

 

Enjoy! - Rebecca

Trusted Contributor
Posts: 1,050
Registered: ‎03-09-2010

@sfnative

 

What an awesome day for you to post...it is a special momentous day for me for me...thank you very much!!  I shall try this.  Thank you again for remembering!!!  It means so much! Heart