Steak and Cake – Elizabeth Karmel & Carthage. Co Stoneware Cake Pan

Title: Steak and Cake: More Than 100 Recipes for the Best Meal Ever Author: Elizabeth Karmel, a.k.a. Grill Girl is a cookbook author, restaurant owner and has a resume that would consume this post. To find out more about Elizabeth and her cookbooks, see our bio page. This book is the best of both worlds where meat meets sweets with over 100 plus recipes that takes the guess work out of dinner and dessert! I have made  Anthony’s grandmother’s “earthquake cake” (don’t judge this cake from my photo – it was stellar and disappeared!) and the steak recipe that we are sharing below. This version is basically what I have been doing for many years but Elizabeth perfects the technique. My husband and son are devout steak-addicts and we never say no to cake so this book is one that will be sought out repeatedly in my kitchen. The Tex-Mex Chocolate Sheet Cake I made this week and it was one of the best Texas sheet cakes I’ve tried. Thanks to Workman Publishing for sharing the following recipes with our members and providing copies of this gorgeous book in our giveaway below which includes a grand prize of a Carthage. Co Stoneware Cake Pan (see more after the recipes). Red-Hot Cast-Iron Steak with Perfect Crust Add this recipe to your Bookshelf (click the blue +Bookshelf button). The Steak If you make this steak according to my directions, I can guarantee you two things: Your kitchen will get very smoky, and your steak will be very crusty-in all the right ways! This stovetop method is like an extreme culinary sport since the pan is preheated over high heat for about 5 minutes before the steak is cooked. When the smoke clears, you are left with a gorgeous caramelized crust that covers the steak from end to end. For that reason, I prefer a flat-bottomed cast-iron or carbon steel skillet instead of one with raised “grill” ridges. Note: This technique is best suited to a boneless steak served rare. Serves 1 or 2
  • 1 boneless New York strip or ribeye steak (16 to 20 ounces and 1 to 2 inches thick)
  • Coarse kosher salt or Maldon sea salt Freshly ground black pepper (optional)
Pan: 10 1/2-inch cast-iron or carbon steel skillet Method: Stovetop
  1. Preheat the oven to 325°F (optional; see Note).
  2. Wrap the steak in paper towels to rid it of excess moisture. Replace the paper towels as needed.
  3. Meanwhile, place a dry cast-iron skillet on the stove and preheat over high heat until a drop of water sprinkled on the surface “dances” and evaporates instantly.
  4. Just before cooking, scatter the salt lightly but evenly over the pan. Place the steak at the top edge of the pan. Let the steak cook and sizzle for 1 minute, then, using tongs, flip it so the raw side of the steak is at the bottom edge of the pan. This placement is important because the cooking process cools down the temperature of the cast iron and you want each side of the meat to be exposed to the same hot surface.
  5. Press down gently to ensure even contact between the steak and the pan. Let the steak cook and sizzle until there is a nice even crust, 1 minute more. Using tongs, hold the steak vertically and brown the fat on the edges. This also allows the pan to heat up again.
  6. Repeat cooking the first side of the steak at the top edge of the pan for another minute. Flip the steak and place the second side at the bottom edge of the pan for 1 minute more. Repeat browning the edges if necessary, about 30 seconds on each edge.
  7. At this point, the steak should look done and have a deep-brown caramelized crust on each side. Check for doneness: The meat should feel tight and slightly springy, not raw and mushy, to the touch. If using an instant-read thermometer, insert it horizontally (through the thickness) into the center. Rare is 125°F, and that is the temperature that I prefer. Medium-rare is 135°F. If you want your steak cooked more in the center, once it has the crust on it slip the cast-iron pan into the preheated oven (see Note on page 10).
  8. Remove the steak to a wire cooling rack set on a sheet pan and let rest for 10 minutes. You can tent it lightly with aluminum foil but not so tightly that the steak will begin to steam. Slice and serve with freshly ground pepper if desired-you shouldn’t need to add any salt.
Note: I have found that if you put the steak in the preheated oven when it reaches 100°F on an instant-read thermometer, it will reach about 130°F after 15 minutes. Once you take the steak out and let it rest, it will continue cooking, ending at 135°F. This is not a rule, but rather a guideline based on my experience. Baked Cinnamon-Sugar Doughnut Puffs with Dark Chocolate Bourbon Dipping Sauce Add this recipe to your Bookshelf (click the blue +Bookshelf button). The Cake When I lived on the Upper East Side of New York, I frequented a fantastic bakery called Yura. As a cook myself, I loved the setup as much as the pastries. It was an open commissary kitchen for several restaurants with a walk-up counter for ordering. As you waited in line, you could watch the bakers make cakes and pies and all manner of homespun baked goods. Among the array of deliciousness displayed on the counter, there was one very small item that looked like a mini muffin coated in cinnamon and sugar. The texture of the crumb inside was less dense and more like a cake than a muffin, and it had the telltale cinnamon flavor and a pop of nutmeg as well. It was called a “puff,” or at least that is what my friends and I called it. A puff with a double-shot cappuccino was morning heaven! Once you try these baked doughnut puffs, I guarantee that they will replace your fried doughnut craving with a new one! They are so good that I often make them for dessert with a dark chocolate dipping sauce, because even doughnuts are better with a little chocolate! Makes about 33 minis For the Puffs Baking spray, for preparing the pan
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 1/2 cups granulated white sugar
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1 generous teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1 scant teaspoon freshly grated or ground nutmeg
  • Pinch of ground cardamom
  • 1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt
  • 2 large eggs, lightly beaten
  • 1 cup whole milk
  • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
  • 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
For the Topping
  • 1/2 cup granulated white sugar
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/8 teaspoon fine sea salt
  • 8 tablespoons (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted
Dark Chocolate Bourbon Dipping Sauce (optional; recipe follows) Pan: Mini cupcake tin (If you use a standard mini cupcake tin, the yield will be about 33 puffs. If you use an extra-mini cupcake tin, as we did at the photo shoot, the yield will be about twice as many and the baking time will be reduced to about 12 minutes.)
  1. Position a rack in the center of the oven and preheat the oven to 350°F. Spray the pan with baking spray.
  2. Make the puffs: Whisk the flour, 1 1/2 cups sugar, baking powder, 1 teaspoon cinnamon, nutmeg, pinch of cardamom, and 1/2 teaspoon salt together in a large bowl. In a second bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, 3 tablespoons butter, and vanilla. Add the egg mixture to the flour mixture a little at a time, stirring well after each addition.
  3. Transfer the batter (which is fairly thin) to a liquid measuring cup and pour it into the cupcake cups, filling them about three-quarters full.
  4. Bake until the tops of the puffs look dry and a little nubby and a toothpick inserted in the center of a puff comes out clean, 16 to 18 minutes.
  5. Meanwhile, make the topping: Mix the 1/2 cup sugar, 1 teaspoon cinnamon, and 1/8 teaspoon salt together in a shallow bowl.
  6. Let the puffs cool on a wire cooling rack for 2 to 3 minutes, then remove them from the tin and let cool on the rack for 1 minute more.
  7. While the puffs are still warm, dip the tops in the 8 tablespoons melted butter and swirl them all over in the cinnamon-sugar mixture. Place the puffs back on the wire rack to cool completely. Eat when cool, with or without the chocolate dipping sauce, and place any leftovers in an airtight container. They will keep for 3 days.
Dark Chocolate Bourbon Dipping Sauce Add this recipe to your Bookshelf (click the blue +Bookshelf button). The bourbon is optional, but I think it makes a big difference. It doesn’t taste boozy; it just deepens the flavor and marries the doughnuts and the chocolate. You can make the chocolate sauce up to 2 days in advance. Gently warm just before serving. Makes about 2/3 cup dipping sauce
  • 1/3 cup heavy (whipping) cream
  • 6 ounces bittersweet or semisweet chocolate (chips or block chocolate, chopped)
  • 1 tablespoon bourbon (optional)
  • 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • 1 to 2 tablespoons granulated white sugar (optional)
Place the cream in a small saucepan and heat over medium-low heat to almost boiling. Remove the pan from the heat and add the chocolate. Stir until it’s melted and well combined. Add the bourbon, if using, and vanilla, while stirring continuously. Taste, and if you like it a little sweeter, add the sugar; otherwise leave it as is. The puffs are covered in cinnamon sugar, so I like the chocolate sauce without any added sweetening. Carthage. Co Stoneware brings handcrafted Tunisian ceramics with a rich history in the making to our table. When I was contacted by the company, I had an incredibly difficult time trying to pick out which item I would like to review and share with our members and I settled on the above-pictured pale jade cake pan. Their ceramics are ethnically sourced while they empower Tunisian artisans and create jobs in the U.S. Not only is this company doing great work, but their products are stunning and reasonably priced. I received the cake pan today and had to put it to work. The stoneware is of high-quality and looks amazing when you present your baked goods to your guests. My 15 year old boy attacked the cake in my photo to the left – he leaves no cake behind. Carthage. Co is generously offering one of these pans to a grand prize winner in our giveaway below. It’s a beauty and will be a welcome addition to your kitchen bakeware.

The publisher is offering three copies of this book to EYB Members in the US and one grand prize winner will receive a Carthage. Co Stoneware Cake Pan. One of the entry options is to answer the following questions in the comments section of this blog post.

Which recipe in the index would you try first?

Which product at Carthage. Co would you like to own?

Please note that you must be logged into the Rafflecopter contest before posting or your entry won’t be counted. For more information on this process, please see our step-by-step help post and this forum post. Once you log in and enter your member name you will be directed to the next entry option – the blog comment. After that, there are additional options that you can complete for more entries.

Be sure to check your spam filters to receive our email notifications. Prizes can take up to 6 weeks to arrive from the publishers. If you are not already a Member, you can join at no cost. The contest ends at midnight on October 4th, 2019. a Rafflecopter giveaway

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157 Comments

  • JRumi  on  August 6, 2019

    Mary Pat’s individual Beef Wellingtons

  • JRumi  on  August 6, 2019

    The Carthage Co. serving bowl

  • matag  on  August 6, 2019

    Dark chocolate bourbon dipping sauce

  • matag  on  August 6, 2019

    The Tapas Set

  • kmn4  on  August 6, 2019

    Brown sugar pound cake

  • kmn4  on  August 6, 2019

    The Baker's Oven Set in Amber

  • Ecngreg5  on  August 6, 2019

    Individual beef Wellington’s, and the large cup set is very pretty in blue!

  • lpatterson412  on  August 6, 2019

    The knife and fork country club steak sandwich!! And the brunch set looks amazingly beautiful!

  • MarciK  on  August 6, 2019

    Coffee-rubbed tenderloin with garlic cheese grits and redeye gravy glaze

  • MarciK  on  August 6, 2019

    The Zhagwan bowl set in saffron.

  • mcrimmins  on  August 6, 2019

    Classic Sour Cream Coffee Cake

  • mcrimmins  on  August 6, 2019

    I love the large blue drink set.

  • Jane  on  August 6, 2019

    Test 2nd comment.

  • Maefleur  on  August 6, 2019

    steak and truffled eggs

  • Maefleur  on  August 6, 2019

    i really love the round cake pan

  • JenjiRM  on  August 6, 2019

    Peruvian steak salad

  • JenjiRM  on  August 6, 2019

    The dinner platter in Onyx!

  • lauriesk  on  August 6, 2019

    Red-hot cast-iron steak with perfect crust.

    From the Carthage company, I would like the condiment squares.

  • rchesser  on  August 6, 2019

    The indiviual Beef Wellingtons.

  • Outrun1986  on  August 6, 2019

    Baked Cinnamon-Sugar Doughnut Puffs with Dark Chocolate Bourbon Dipping Sauce

  • rchesser  on  August 6, 2019

    THE DADASI SERVING BOWLS

  • perennials  on  August 6, 2019

    I would make the Raspberry Rollup with Limoncello Whipped Cream

  • perennials  on  August 6, 2019

    I would like the large baking dish from Carthage Co

  • LarissaPrusak  on  August 6, 2019

    Grandma Odom‘s Apple cake sounds delicious. And what a Great Cookbook Idea, steak and cake.

  • LarissaPrusak  on  August 6, 2019

    I would love a la Marsa fruit bowl in jade Color.

  • Shelley.b  on  August 6, 2019

    Classic New York steakhouse strip
    Presentation platter

  • ebs  on  August 6, 2019

    Retro chocolate cupcakes with a sweet mascarpone center

  • ebs  on  August 6, 2019

    Pale jade medium baking dish

  • sarahawker  on  August 6, 2019

    Coffee-rubbed tenderloin with garlic cheese grits and redeye gravy glaze

  • sarahawker  on  August 6, 2019

    Brunch set in Pita

  • nadiam1000  on  August 7, 2019

    I want to try making that Red Hot Cast Iron Steak with Perfect Crust

  • ravensfan  on  August 7, 2019

    Red-hot cast-iron steak with perfect crust

  • ravensfan  on  August 7, 2019

    I'd like to try the Oven Set.

  • nadiam1000  on  August 7, 2019

    the brunch set

  • riley  on  August 7, 2019

    Cece's cast-iron lemon steak

  • riley  on  August 7, 2019

    The Baking Dish Set

  • LeMinou  on  August 7, 2019

    Individual Beef Wellingtons

  • LeMinou  on  August 7, 2019

    Brunch set

  • demomcook  on  August 7, 2019

    I would love the oven set from Carthage Co.
    Farmers market summer fruit and berry cake is the recipe I would make first.

  • inflytur  on  August 8, 2019

    The ingredients in the Gingerbread cake look amazing.

  • Siegal  on  August 8, 2019

    I love the coconut cake on the cover

  • Siegal  on  August 8, 2019

    Tapas set so cute

  • goodfruit  on  August 8, 2019

    I'd go for the bake set, I'd love to have that tart dish!

  • cindymisho  on  August 8, 2019

    tex mex cake yum

  • amyz218  on  August 8, 2019

    The Peruvian steak salad sounds amazing!

  • cpascale  on  August 9, 2019

    Retro chocolate cupcakes with a sweet mascarpone center

  • cpascale  on  August 9, 2019

    Tarte pan

  • percussion03  on  August 9, 2019

    Italian cream cake

  • percussion03  on  August 9, 2019

    On a Presentation Plate.

  • t.t  on  August 10, 2019

    Carne asada

  • t.t  on  August 10, 2019

    The oven set

  • Mtetpon  on  August 10, 2019

    The classic coffee cake.

  • southerncooker  on  August 10, 2019

    Whiskey buttermilk bundt cake

  • southerncooker  on  August 10, 2019

    Oven set would be nice.

  • ljskop  on  August 10, 2019

    My sister's favorite lemon-blueberry bundt cake

  • ljskop  on  August 10, 2019

    Oven set

  • mpdeb98  on  August 11, 2019

    Classic sour cream coffee cake and the tart plate

  • amylou61  on  August 11, 2019

    I'd make the Whiskey buttermilk bundt cake

  • amylou61  on  August 11, 2019

    I'd like to own the Carthage Tart Plate

  • LaurenE  on  August 11, 2019

    Brown sugar pound cake, and the Zhagwan bowl set in saffron

  • NaomiH  on  August 12, 2019

    Steak Diane

  • NaomiH  on  August 12, 2019

    Serving Bowl in Basalt

  • jtcook  on  August 12, 2019

    Tuscan steak with white anchovy and truffle butter and grilled lemons!

  • Kimmer  on  August 13, 2019

    I would love to make the coffee rubbed tenderloin/garlic cheese grits/red eye gravy glaze! Yum!

  • Kimmer  on  August 13, 2019

    The round cake pan would be my choice.

  • Aminata95  on  August 14, 2019

    Brown sugar pound cake

  • Aminata95  on  August 14, 2019

    Cake pan in juniper

  • Blackeyedsusans  on  August 15, 2019

    Whiskey buttermilk bundt cake. Dinner platter

  • EmilyR  on  August 16, 2019

    Baked Cinnamon-Sugar Doughnut Puffs with Dark Chocolate Bourbon Dipping Sauce

  • EmilyR  on  August 16, 2019

    The Brunch Set

  • Shelmar  on  August 16, 2019

    Serving bowl

  • jenmatt  on  August 16, 2019

    recipe: Prosciutto-wrapped filet with blue cheese and pecan butter
    product: oven set

  • kimbolarson  on  August 16, 2019

    The knife and fork country club steak sandwich. 😋

  • sallansd  on  August 16, 2019

    Red-hot cast-iron steak with perfect crust

  • sallansd  on  August 16, 2019

    I like the LARGE BAKING DISH

  • HomespunHouse  on  August 16, 2019

    Lemon Blueberry bundt cake

  • HomespunHouse  on  August 16, 2019

    Loaf pan

  • virjeania  on  August 17, 2019

    I love the LARGE DRINK SET and would like to try An indoor/outdoor tomahawk steak

  • Lafauvette  on  August 17, 2019

    classic sour cream coffee cake and the baking dish set

  • RSW  on  August 18, 2019

    Whiskey buttermilk bundt cake
    The Oven Set

  • jmay42066  on  August 18, 2019

    Red-hot cast-iron steak with perfect crust.

  • jmay42066  on  August 18, 2019

    The Baker's Oven Set in Amber

  • clairew137  on  August 18, 2019

    Retro chocolate cupcakes with a sweet mascarpone center

  • RickPearson54  on  August 18, 2019

    Baking dish set

  • Lkitchings  on  August 19, 2019

    Pinch bowl and Cece's cast-iron lemon steak

  • jezpurr  on  August 19, 2019

    Knife & fork country club steak sandwich!!!^_^

  • jezpurr  on  August 19, 2019

    The Bakeware Oven Set!!!^_^

  • chefthomas  on  August 20, 2019

    Loaf pan

  • cellenly  on  August 22, 2019

    Grandma Odom's apple cake

  • cellenly  on  August 22, 2019

    Tart Plate

  • dtremit  on  August 22, 2019

    French onion croutons and the La Marsa salad plate

  • debbiehb  on  August 24, 2019

    Prime New York strip steak roast and baking dish set

  • banba1  on  August 27, 2019

    The very first recipe sounds fantastic! Cowboy steak with whiskey butter

  • banba1  on  August 27, 2019

    The oven set from Carthage looks awesome

  • musteat  on  August 29, 2019

    ginger bread

  • musteat  on  August 29, 2019

    I would like to try the loaf pan

  • GranChris  on  August 29, 2019

    Dark chocolate bourbon dipping sauce

  • TammyTrask  on  August 30, 2019

    Houston banana loaf cake and carthage co cake pan

  • catmommy9  on  August 30, 2019

    They had me at all of that bourbon stuff, the cowboy steak and the buttermilk Bundt cake.

  • catmommy9  on  August 30, 2019

    The pasta bowls are cool.

  • BMeyer  on  August 30, 2019

    donuts with bourbon sauce

  • Mtopola  on  August 31, 2019

    Classic sour cream coffee cake

  • LABeachGal  on  August 31, 2019

    I’d love to make the Classic Key lime cheesecake with pecan crust!

  • LABeachGal  on  August 31, 2019

    I love the large baking dish!

  • dusksunset  on  September 1, 2019

    Brown sugar pound cake

  • dusksunset  on  September 1, 2019

    The Bakeware Oven Set

  • kaivulagi  on  September 2, 2019

    I would love a full set of La Marsa plates and bowls.

  • JJWong  on  September 2, 2019

    Whiskey Buttermilk Cake and the Dadasi Serving Bowl
    The Carthage Co line of products are stunning (and reasonable priced too)!! Thanks for the introduction.

  • Bolerorkm  on  September 2, 2019

    Pecan and Blue Cheese Butter – two of my favorite things

  • Bolerorkm  on  September 2, 2019

    I would the tart pan – beautiful

  • Lora724  on  September 2, 2019

    Turtle Brownie Bites.

  • Lora724  on  September 2, 2019

    I love the Brunch Set in Adriatic.

  • lisamcf72  on  September 3, 2019

    brown sugar pound cake

  • auntietina  on  September 3, 2019

    I would try the Gingerbread. I have very fond memories of a slice of gingerbread I once got at a teeny restaurant called Willy’s Chuckwagon.
    And I love the dinner platters, especially in the tangerine color.

  • upstatemissy  on  September 5, 2019

    I would try making the steak and truffled eggs recipe first.

  • upstatemissy  on  September 5, 2019

    I would love to have the pale jade large baking dish from Carthage.Co.

  • kalex426  on  September 7, 2019

    Prime New York strip steak roast

  • kalex426  on  September 7, 2019

    The pinch bowls look sweet but there’s no way I could get just one.

  • Pamyoungvb  on  September 7, 2019

    Tex Mex Chocolate Sheet Cake.

  • Lcalabretta  on  September 7, 2019

    I want to try the “My sister’s favorite lemon-blueberry bundt cake” since I love the combination of lemons and blueberries. I would love to own the loaf pan as I like to make loaf cakes and breads, especially during this time of year.

  • ARackerby  on  September 7, 2019

    An indoor/outdoor tomahawk steak

  • goodfruit  on  September 8, 2019

    tart plate, steak diane, latte hazelnut loaf

  • TammyDee  on  September 9, 2019

    I’d go with Prime New York Strip Steak Roast. You might as well start at the top, lol.

  • TammyDee  on  September 9, 2019

    I’d really like their Zaghwan Bowl Set in saffron. Gorgeous!

  • tarae1204  on  September 9, 2019

    The country club steak sandwich

  • tarae1204  on  September 9, 2019

    I love the Zaghwan collection inspired by North Africa – the bowls, the tapas set. Gorgeous.

  • CAKelly  on  September 10, 2019

    Dark chocolate bourbon dipping sauce, yum!

  • mph993  on  September 12, 2019

    Carthage’s dinner platters are beautiful

  • mph993  on  September 12, 2019

    Whiskey Buttermilk Bundt Cake

  • KarenDel  on  September 13, 2019

    Classic sour cream coffee cake

  • KarenDel  on  September 13, 2019

    I’d like to try the Large Baking Dish

  • orchidlady01  on  September 14, 2019

    Bacon-wrapped beef tenderloin

  • outsidereader  on  September 14, 2019

    I would make Baked cinnamon-sugar doughnut puffs.

  • floridagld  on  September 14, 2019

    Nice stoneware.
    Looking for a nice pitcher.
    The large pitcher and tumblers in pale jade is perfect.

  • floridagld  on  September 14, 2019

    Yum Red-hot cast-iron steak with perfect crust. Love a crust on our steaks. Especially over an open fire!

  • gwenjordan  on  September 15, 2019

    Classic New York steakhouse strip and Brown sugar pound cake

  • gwenjordan  on  September 15, 2019

    The Baker’s oven set in Amber

  • jcamp2020  on  September 16, 2019

    Raspberry Rollup with Limoncello Whipped Cream

  • jcamp2020  on  September 16, 2019

    Their oven set

  • Jcjenn  on  September 16, 2019

    the cake pan in the giveaway, and latte loaf with hazelnut glaze

  • artthecat  on  September 19, 2019

    Carne Asada

  • popoff  on  September 19, 2019

    First-place smoked and charred tenderloin

  • ssnbawin  on  September 20, 2019

    Classic sour cream coffee cake

  • ssnbawin  on  September 20, 2019

    I’d like to try the tart plate.

  • amylou61  on  September 21, 2019

    I’d make the Baked cinnamon-sugar doughnut puffs

  • love2chow  on  September 28, 2019

    Tuscan steak with white anchovy and truffle butter and grilled lemons and Whiskey buttermilk bundt cake

  • love2chow  on  September 28, 2019

    TAPAS SET

  • Breeze81  on  September 29, 2019

    I’d love to try the Coffee-rubbed tenderloin with garlic cheese grits and redeye gravy glaze

  • Breeze81  on  September 29, 2019

    I’d love the would like the large baking dish from Carthage Co

  • kathay708  on  September 29, 2019

    Lemon cream

  • Joanne117  on  September 30, 2019

    The individual Beef Wellingtons and I love the round stoneware bake pan.

  • VeryVigario  on  October 2, 2019

    Prime New York strip steak roast

  • VeryVigario  on  October 2, 2019

    Some large goblets!

  • ckeller  on  October 2, 2019

    Whisky glaze, stoneware cake pan

  • hibeez  on  October 2, 2019

    Carne asada

  • fmd518  on  October 4, 2019

    steak and truffled eggs

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