Anyone who was born in this country between the end of the 19th century and what we are now in the 21st century knows exactly what a Maria cookie tastes like. And it is very likely that he is also aware that one of the most famous recipes that we can make with this creation that Fontaneda introduced in our country (Marie Biscuits are originally from London) -and which many other brands now make under the same name- is the popular biscuit and chocolate cake.
A classic for birthdays and snacks that It is within the reach of those less seasoned in the kitchen and also, as you will be able to see below, it does not require ingredients that are difficult to acquire. It is more likely right now you have in the pantry and fridge Everything you need to prepare a “Mom’s Cake” of category.
And what better time than now, when the 150 years of history of the Maria cookieto sit down with the grandson of the founder of the Fontaneda cookie empire to reminisce about past times and take good note of that recipe that we share with you below.
Return to the family home through a plate
Like all things that end up being successful in the Madrid hospitality industry, in the case of this cake, as simple as it is addictive, we have to refer to the early life of Carlos Moreno Fontaneda, founder of The Dog and the Cookie. “When I was little I always had tea with cookies or this cake that my mother used to prepare on special occasions, which was very laborious and she reserved it for birthdays and celebrations of this style.”
It was not surprising that when they opened their first premises in the Malasaña neighborhood, inaugurated as Bar Galleta back in 2015, the cookie was the star ingredient. Something that, of course, has been maintained in all the El Perro y la Galleta restaurants that have opened over the years (where sweet and savory recipes coexist around cookies). But, let’s go back to that elaboration that has produced so many imitators inside and outside the capital.
“The ones that I have been able to eat in Madrid I notice are too dry, you realize why it is difficult to dig in with the spoon once it has come into contact with the cake. The interesting thing is that the cookie practically disappearswhich is what we try to do.” Basically what he comes to tell us is that here the important thing is the creaminess that we find inside, and what happens is that in many places the result is closer to a mousse than a proper cream.
And for the record that in this house, in his eagerness to try to improve something that is already a successthey have done thousands of tests with different pastry chefs, resorting to other types of milk chocolate (even white), but in the end it turns out that Today they still make exactly the same recipe than at the beginning, the one that Carlos’s mother tried (and approved) in her day.
Shopping list
Maria cookies, butter, milk and milk chocolate from Nestlé (yes, the usual one). That’s all you’ll need to enjoy one of the great pleasures of this life. This is what has led so many Madrid residents (and foreigners) to visit any of the El Perro y la Galleta establishments where Carlos has decided to incorporate this dessert, which is already a house brand.
Fontaneda María Breakfast Biscuits – 1800 g
So don’t go crazy looking for chocolates with exorbitant cocoa percentages or gourmet products that are only available in specialized stores. Also, the good news for those who enjoy reading the fine print on packaging is that you won’t need any extra sugarwith the one with the chocolate we are already more than served.
Nestle Extrafine Milk Chocolate Tablet 125 g, Gluten Free – Pack of 28 units.
And now, with everything we need to get into the kitchen, we ask our guest to tell us, step by step, how to prepare your coveted “Mom’s Cake” at home. Then it is up to you to place it in small cardboard cups, like the ones they send you through Uber Eats, or leave it in a traditional cake version (which is how we found it at El Perro y la Galleta Bakery).
Recipe for “Mom’s Tart”
Although one might think that at no time would Carlos and his team consider providing us with the details of the elaborationThe truth is that they have. And surely they have adopted this very generous position because they know positively that their unconditional ones are going to continue opting for the most comfortable option: going to any of their seven restaurants in Madrid.
But since not everyone lives in Madrid or has the chance to come every time they crave cookie and chocolate cake (also known in the north as grandma’s cake), here we leave you the famous recipe with which you will always be right. It doesn’t matter if you want to surprise your guests at dessert time or need an infallible plan for a snack, success is guaranteed.
The first thing we have to do is mount the egg whites until stiff, to then melt the chocolate tablets. We can do this in two ways: in a water bath or in the microwave. It depends a bit on the time you have to prepare the recipe, but the important thing is that the result is very similar in both cases.
Add the butter when the chocolate is still hot so that everything melts and mixes well. have to do it little by little while making a smooth movement with the rod or the utensil that we use. Next, we let the chocolate temper and gradually add the whites previously assembled.
And that’s it It would only be necessary to shape that cake. First, we place a first cookie base (before we have introduced it in warm whole milk). The next layer would be chocolate, which we spread with a spatula. We repeat the procedure once more and make sure that the last layer we put (the one on top) is biscuit, since we will put a chocolate coating at the end to make it more apparent.
And don’t forget to Put it in the fridge as soon as you finish it! It is vital for the whole invention to consolidate and not fall apart, something that can happen if you expose it for too long at room temperature or if it is near a heat source. And for the record that we are not telling you just to say it, one of their clients has had it happen to them by placing it under a lamp for a long time.
Obviously, in the mold or container that we use (they prepare it in a round pot) before you have to spread butter so it does not stick. And it is also advisable to put biscuit around the entire diameter. In any case, it is best before you dare with your own version of “Mommy Pie” Come and see how they prepare it in their newly opened Bakery (Castelló, 12) or ask for it through their delivery service. delivery to take it at home.
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