Skip to main content

Chocolate cake

 

Method 1

Ingredients

For the cake

200g golden caster sugar

200g unsalted butter

softened plus extra for the tins

4 large eggs

200g self-raising flour

2 tbsp cocoa powder

1 tsp baking powder

½ tsp vanilla extract

2 tbsp milk

For the buttercream

100g milk chocolate

chopped

200g butter

softened

400g icing sugar

5 tbsp cocoa powder

2 tbsp milk

For the chocolate shards (optional)

50g dark chocolate

25g milk chocolate

25g white chocolate

step 1

Heat oven to 190C/170C fan/gas 5. Butter the base and sides of two 20cm round sandwich tins and line the bases with baking parchment.

step 2

In a large bowl, beat together 200g golden caster sugar, 200g softened unsalted butter, 4 large eggs, 200g self-raising flour, 2 tbsp cocoa powder, 1 tsp baking powder, ½ tsp vanilla extract, 2 tbsp milk and a pinch of salt until pale.

step 3

Divide the mixture between the prepared tins. Bake for 20 mins or until a skewer inserted into the centre of the cake comes out clean.

step 4

Leave to cool in the tin for 10 mins, then turn out onto a wire rack to cool completely.

step 5

For the buttercream, put 100g chopped milk chocolate in a heatproof bowl and melt in the microwave, stirring every 30 secs. Leave the melted chocolate to cool for 5 mins.

step 6

Mash 200g softened butter and 400g icing sugar together with a fork, then switch to a wooden spoon or electric beaters, if you have them.

step 7

Sift in 5 tbsp cocoa powder with a pinch of salt and pour in the melted chocolate and 2 tbsp milk. Mix again until smooth.

step 8

On a cake stand or large plate, sandwich the cakes together with half of the buttercream, then spread the rest on top. Decorate with chocolate shards, if you like.

step 9

To make chocolate shards: melt 50g dark chocolate and pour it onto a tray lined with baking parchment or foil.

step 10

Now melt 25g milk chocolate and 25g white chocolate and drizzle them over the dark chocolate before it sets.

step 11

Shake the tray gently to level the mixture then leave to set somewhere cool. Chop into shards.

Method 2

🍫 Easy Chocolate Cake Recipe

Ingredients:

1 and 3/4 cups (220g) all-purpose flour

3/4 cup (65g) unsweetened cocoa powder

2 cups (400g) granulated sugar

1 and 1/2 tsp baking powder

1 and 1/2 tsp baking soda

1 tsp salt

2 large eggs

1 cup (240ml) milk

1/2 cup (120ml) vegetable oil

2 tsp vanilla extract

1 cup (240ml) boiling water or hot coffee (for richer flavor)

Instructions:

Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two 9-inch (23 cm) round cake pans or one 9x13-inch pan.

Mix dry ingredients: In a large bowl, sift together flour, cocoa powder, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.

Add wet ingredients: Add eggs, milk, oil, and vanilla to the dry mix. Beat until smooth (about 2 minutes).

Add hot water: Slowly stir in the boiling water or coffee (the batter will be thin — that's normal).

Bake: Pour batter into prepared pans and bake for:

30–35 minutes for round pans

35–40 minutes for a 9x13 pan

Or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

Cool: Let the cake cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

Optional: Simple Chocolate Frosting

1/2 cup (115g) butter, softened

2/3 cup (55g) cocoa powder

3 cups (360g) powdered sugar

1/3 cup (80ml) milk

1 tsp vanilla extract

Instructions: Beat butter and cocoa powder. Add powdered sugar and milk alternately, then stir in vanilla until smooth.



Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Dumplings

  Method 1 Ingredients 150g self-raising flour plus a little extra 70g suet small handful of parsley chopped (optional) step 1 Whilst your stew is bubbling, make the dumplings. Weigh the flour into a bowl and add ½ tsp salt. Stir through the suet and parsley, if using. Make a well in the centre and add 3 tbsp cold water, mix to a dough, adding more water until the dough is firm but pliable. Divide into eight equal pieces and roll in a little more flour into balls. Chill until needed. step 2 When the stew has about 30 mins to go, arrange the dumplings on top and cover with a lid. With the oven at 160C/140C fan/gas 3, cook the stew and dumplings for 20 mins, then remove the lid and cook for another 10 mins until they’re brown and puffed up. Method 2 🥣 Traditional British Dumplings (with Suet) 📝 Ingredients (Makes 6–8 dumplings): 100g self-raising flour 50g shredded suet (beef or vegetable) Pinch of salt Cold water, approx. 4–5 tbsp 🔧 Instructions: Mix dry ingredients: In a bowl, m...
Post a Comment
Read more

Sichuan chicken

  Method 1 Ingredients 500g boneless chicken thighs cut into bite-sized pieces 25g dried Sichuan chillies deseeded and cut into 3 pieces neutral-tasting oil such as vegetable, for deep-frying 1 tbsp dried red Sichuan peppercorns 1 tbsp dried green Sichuan peppercorns 15g ginger peeled and finely chopped 4 garlic cloves finely chopped 2 spring onions finely sliced, whites and green parts separated 3 tbsp unsalted roasted peanuts 2 tbsp sesame seeds ½ tbsp light soy sauce ½ tsp sugar For the marinade ½ tsp ground white pepper ½ tsp chicken bouillon 1 tbsp Shaohsing wine 1½ tbsp light soy sauce 2½ tbsp cornflour 1 tbsp corn oil step 1 Combine all the marinade ingredients, except the cornflour and oil, with ¼ tsp salt in a large bowl, then stir in the chicken thigh pieces to coat. Cover and chill for 30 mins. Add the cornflour and mix well, then add the oil and stir again to combine. step 2 Put the dried Sichuan chillies in a colander and shake to remove any excess seeds. Transfer to a...
Post a Comment
Read more

Crumpet pizzas

  Method 1 Ingredients 6 crumpets 4 tbsp passata 4 tbsp ketchup ½ tsp dried oregano toppings of your choice (peppers, cherry tomatoes, red onion, sweetcorn, olives, ham and basil all work well) 75g cheddar cheese grated step 1 Heat the grill to high. Lightly toast the crumpets in a toaster or under the grill. Meanwhile, mix the passata, ketchup and oregano together in a bowl. Season. Chop your chosen toppings into small pieces – young children can tear basil, or chop soft veg in a cup using safety scissors. step 2 Line a baking tray with foil. Spread the sauce over the crumpets, then top with the veg and cheese. Arrange on the tray and grill for 3-4 mins, until the cheese is golden and bubbling. Leave to cool slightly before eating. Method 2 🧺 Ingredients (makes 6 mini pizzas / serves 2–3) Base: 6 crumpets (regular or sourdough) 1–2 tbsp olive oil (optional, for brushing) Tomato sauce: 4 tbsp passata or pizza sauce 1 tsp tomato purée (optional, for richness) ½ tsp dried oregano or...
Post a Comment
Read more