CourseHorse Gallops into LA #GourmandiseSchool

NinjaBaker — Sat, 08 Apr 2017 01:34:38 +0000

CourseHorse has galloped into LA! Click on the site. Look up almost any subject and CourseHorse will connect you to a class. It’s a great way to lean into a dream. Say you want to switch careers. Maybe visions of creating masterpiece cakes keep appearing while analyzing data. Wouldn’t it be nice to throw on an apron over pajamas instead of a 3-piece suit? Still, you suspect stenciling on fondant should be mastered before ditching the secure 401k. CourseHorse to the rescue.

CourseHorse has over 2,000 cooking classes in Los Angeles. Whether it’s better baking skills or producing patisserie store beauties, CourseHorse is a great source. A search for baking on CourseHorse brought up Cakes & Cupcakes offered by the Santa Monica Gourmandise School. Curious, I signed up. Sooo glad I did. Clémence Gossett (a co-owner) and instructor extraordinaire presented the science (!) behind baking in terms I could understand. She also gifted the students with recipes for heavenly carrot cake and devil’s food cupcakes. Clémence also introduced us to campfire cupcakes. (Think s’more cupcakes.) Thanks to Clémence, I’ve let go of my trepidation around butane torches.

A few (of many) Cakes & Cupcakes tips from the Gourmandise School in Santa Monica.

Dark Shadows:
Use light colored pans for cakes and cupcakes. The darker ones make the cakes brown too quickly on the edges and bottoms before the insides are properly baked. AND place the light colored muffin cupcakes on a light colored cookie sheet. Why? The cookie sheet will even out the amount of heat baking the cupcakes.
Ignore the Vanilla:
Skip the vanilla in chocolate cupcakes (and cakes.) Vanilla mellows the flavor. So, if you love pure rich chocolate, forget the vanilla.
Oil is better than butter!
Especially for your carrot cupcakes and banana bread. Oil is 100% lipid fat and coats flour so the cake is moister. Butter is 80% fat and contains water. While the butter adds a fantastic flavor profile, if want moist cakes, reach for the oil.

For other courses in baking, cooking and almost any other subject, visit CourseHorse.com

Full disclosure: In exchange for this post I was given a free lesson at the Gourmandise School in Santa Monica courtesy of the CourseHorse. All opinions are my own.

やっとコース・ホースがロサンゼルスに駆けて来た！ウエブサイトをご覧になると様々な科目のクラスが見えます。転職を考えている方、趣味の進化を遂げたい方、何かを始めたい方、コース・ホースのクラスはあなたの希望を叶えてくれるでしょう。

製菓の興味があるのでコース・ホースでケーキ関係のクラスを調べました。サンタモニカ（私の近所）のゴーマンディズ料理学校のケーキ作りのクラスを紹介
されました。l

パリ出身のクレマンス・ゴゼット先生から手作りの専門ケーキの秘密を学びました。３時間の間に３つのケーキ：チョコレート、キャロットとキャンプ・ファイヤー（小麦粉ベースケーキ、溶けたチョコレートとマシュマロようなトッピング）を作りました。このクラスのおかげでケーキ作りの自身が付きました。

たくさん学びましたがその中の３つのポイントをお教えしましょう！

黒い焼き型より銀の焼き型を使う方が良いです。なぜかと言うと黒い焼き型を使うと端が中身の前に焼けるそうです。銀の焼き型を使うとケーキ全体が同時に焼けるそうです。（銀のカップケーキの焼き型をクッキーの天板に置くと同じように全てのカップケーキが同時に焼けます。オーブンに直接入れると焼き加減にむらができるそうです。）

チョコレート・ケーキを作る時バニラ・エキスを入れない方が良いです。チョコレートの濃厚な特徴が弱くなるそうです。

キャロット、バナナのようなケーキはバターより油を使う方が良いそうです。もっと深い味が出てくるそうです。（バターはカステラとかアメリカのパウンド・ケーキに使った方が良いそうです。）

ご参考までにこのブログを書くためにコース・ホースから無料で１回分のゴーマンディズ料理学校のクラスを頂きました。私の感想を率直にお伝え致しました。

Gourmandise School Campfire Cake

Gourmandise School Campfire Cake is a gourmet approach to the classic American s'more. Rich chocolate is drizzled over a wholesome wheat cupcake. Mounds of Italian meringue frosting (or marshmallow topping) round off this cupcake designed for the dessert connoisseur!

This recipe is also seen on The Gourmandise School - Santa Monica web site.

Ingredients:

Campfire Cake

1 cup vegetable oil (Clémence recommends grapeseed oil or olive oil)
1 cup honey
1½ cups sugar
½ cup brown sugar
3 eggs
1 cup water
¾ cup apple juice
2 cups all-purpose flour
1¼ cup whole wheat flour (a soft, light one such as Sonora)
1 tablespoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon cinnamon

Chocolate Ganache

10 ounces high quality chocolate
16 ounces heavy cream

Directions:

Campfire Cake

Preheat the oven to 350°
Place parchment paper circles into two 8” cake pans or line muffin tins with cupcake cases.

Whisk together the wet ingredients together in a large bowl.
Sift the dry ingredients over the bowl and whisk until just combined.

Pour the batter into the cake pans or divide into the cupcake cases.
Bake for 30 to 40 minutes for the cakes and 20-30 minutes for the cupcakes.
Touch the centers, if firm and springs back, it’s done.

Cool completely. Cover with chocolate ganache. Frost with Italian meringue and torch for the true campfire girl (or boy) effect! (Marshmallow topping is also a fine substitute for Italian meringue.)

Chocolate Ganache

Chop up your chocolate finely.
Warm the cream until simmering (with tiny bubbles.)
Pour over the chocolate and whisk.

Drizzle over the cupcakes or cakes.

Top with your favorite Italian meringue frosting or a dollop (or two!) of marshmallow fluff.

Wishing you courses which gallop you in a hurry towards your dreams.

The Ninja Baker

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

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#CourseHorse #GourmandiseSchool #SantaMonica #cupcakes #bakingtips

The Ninja Baker - #CourseHorse #GourmandiseSchool #SantaMonica #cupcakes #bakingtips

CourseHorse Gallops into LA #GourmandiseSchool