Cake Contest Winner Collects, WNYC Newsroom Looks on in Wonder
Amy Eddings Posted on Friday, June 15, 2012 at 9:32AM 
Caitlin Thompson, left, and me, with the grimacing I Hate Tennis French Open Cake. Photo: Charlie HermanCaitlin Thompson, the winner of the inaugural I Hate Tennis French Open Cake Contest in the women's draw, got what's coming to her: a cake, baked by me!
And what a labor of love/hate it was, in my claustrophobic little kitchen on a sunny Wednesday afternoon, with the temperature reaching 79 degrees outside, and 790 degrees inside.
Thompson requested something out of the ordinary, so I baked a chocolate Coca-Cola cake. It usually comes with a glaze made of Coke and chopped peanuts, but I decided to smother it with a a peanut butter/cream cheese frosting. I hear Southerners like to pour salted peanuts into their bottles or cans of Coke. Adds some protein to their breakfast drink.
The perfect I Hate Tennis Cake.In true, I Hate Tennis fashion, the cake collapsed under pressure, slumping like Andy Murray in a Slam final. A crack opened up along the top. Just like a New York City public court!
It was nothing that a few decorative truffles couldn't fix.
The newsroom staff gathered around for the awards ceremony, such as it was. The cake was raised in triumph. Photos were taken.
"Anything for content," mused WNYC reporter and Micropolis blogger Arun Venugopal.
This newsroom loves an afternoon sugar buzz, no matter what the occasion ("Why do you hate tennis?" Ah, the uninitiated....) The cake got rave reviews from my colleagues, who loved how moist and creamy it was.
I'd tweak the recipe a bit. Add more cocoa powder, ditch the marshmallows, play up the caramel flavor of Coke with some brown sugar. I like the looks of this recipe I found on the blog, Sprinkle Bakes. When I'm up for sweating off a few pounds, I'll venture into my kitchen-cum-sauna and try it.
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