Ep 4. A Cake on Every Plate

Alton Brown is back with another episode of Good Eats: Reloaded season 2, and this time he's showing off his baking skills with A Cake on Every Plate. In this episode, Alton takes us on a culinary journey exploring the development of cakes throughout history, starting with ancient Roman honey cakes and ending with modern-day layer cakes.

Alton begins by explaining the essential ingredients and techniques used to make a cake, including measuring flour correctly and properly creaming butter and sugar together. He then puts his knowledge to the test by making a classic pound cake, which he transforms into a stunning layered cake by adding a homemade raspberry jam and fresh whipped cream.

Next up, Alton explores the world of Victorian cakes, which were known for their elaborate decorations. He shows us how to make a victoria sponge cake and demonstrates the intricate art of piping buttercream frosting. Alton also explains how to create marzipan decorations, which were popular during this era.

Moving on to the 20th century, Alton shows us how to make an upside-down cake, which was popular in the 1930s. He also shares the secret to making a perfect chocolate cake by using a blend of cocoa powder and espresso powder. Alton also demonstrates how to create a shiny ganache topping and shares tips for assembling layer cakes.

Throughout the episode, Alton provides helpful tips and tricks for baking cakes, including the importance of letting the cake cool completely before frosting it and the proper way to store cake leftovers. He also shares some of his favorite recipes for cake frosting, including a tangy lemon curd frosting and a rich cream cheese frosting.

In the final segment, Alton shows us how to bake a traditional southern-style red velvet cake. He explains the history behind the cake's distinctive red color and demonstrates how to make a perfectly smooth cream cheese frosting. Alton also shares some ideas for decorating the cake, including using fresh fruit and edible flowers.

Overall, A Cake on Every Plate is a fun and informative episode of Good Eats: Reloaded season 2 that will inspire viewers to get into the kitchen and start baking. Alton Brown's passion for food and his humorous approach to cooking make this episode a joy to watch, and his helpful tips and tricks will give viewers the confidence to tackle even the most complicated cake recipes.