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Simply Chocolate Cake


I first made this simple, but oh so tasty, chocolate cake when Josh and Ben were little. It's now turned out to be one of their favourites. It's the recipe that I use for some of my chocolate cupcakes, which gives a rich, fluffy sponge. The chocolate ganache icing is also richly flavoured, so taken together, you get a whole mouthful of chocolatey goodness. It's been used several times as a birthday cake and school fair baking stall contribution, and has never failed to deliver eager smiles and requests for more.


The cake itself is quite easy to make. You can use the 'all in one' method and simply chuck everything into a bowl and blitz with a handmixer. I have tended to use a slightly different method, creaming the sugar and butter well first, as I think this helps the sugar - which can be quite lumpy - to dissolve and makes for a fluffier sponge.


The chocolate ganache icing is just chocolate and cream, melted together and then left to cool until you get a spreadable consistency. I could eat this by the spoonful, but Josh and Ben tend to get there first!


Chocolate Cake

Ingredients

200g self-raising flour
1/2 tspn baking powder
4 tbspns cocoa powder
4 medium eggs
225g softened unsalted butter
225g soft light brown sugar
pinch salt
1 tbspn milk

For the icing

150g plain chocolate
150ml double cream

Preheat the oven to 155 Fan / 175 Conventional / 350 C / Gas 4. Grease and base line two 20cm (8 inch) round cake tins.

To make the icing, break the chocolate into bite sized pieces and place in a bowl. Add the cream. Place the bowl over a saucepan of gently simmering water, taking care that the water doesn't touch the bottom of the bowl.Stir while the chocolate melts. Once it is silky smooth, remove from the heat and allow to cool so that it thickens.

To make the sponge, place the sugar, salt and butter in the bowl of a stand mixer. Beat until soft and fluffy (about 3-4 minutes). Add the flour, baking powder, cocoa, eggs and milk, and starting the mixer on slow, beat until well mixed. Spoon the mixture equally into the tins and then level the top.

Bake in the oven for 20-25 minutes until risen and springy to the touch. Leave to cool in the tins for five minutes, then turn out onto a baking rack, peel off the greaseproof paper, and allow to cool completely.

To assemble, spread some icing on the top of one of the cakes, and carefully place the second cake on top. Spread the rest of the icing over the top of the cake (I then added some chocolate sprinkles). You could make a little more icing and cover the sides of the cakes too, if you like (you'd probably have enough using 200g chocolate and 200ml cream).


As this month's Tea Time Treats challenge is based on Cake Stall Cakes and Bakes, I'm submitting this to this month's host, Karen at Lavender and Lovage. Tea Time Treats is organised by Karen and also Kate of What Kate Baked. The closing date is 28 July, after which Karen will produce a roundup. If the entries so far are anything to go by, I think it may be a very chocolatey month!


Enjoy,

Susie
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Comments

  1. Karen S Booth05 July, 2012 17:50

    A PERFECT and STUNNING entry onto Tea Time Treats Susie and I would LOVE to buy a slice of that at a Cake Stall! I also LOVE your photos too....THANKS so much for making this, it's so delicious! KAren

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Susie @ Fold in the Flour06 July, 2012 19:31

      Thanks Karen, that's really nice. So pleased you like it :)

      Delete
  2. Baking Addict05 July, 2012 17:51

    I think this would be the first to go at a cake stall. You can't beat a good chocolate cake and this looks delicious! Please send me a large slice :)

    ReplyDelete
  3. Kate@whatkatebaked05 July, 2012 18:14

    Oh, I do enjoy a slice of chocolate cake! And I agree- it would be super super popular at any cake stall! Thank you so much for entering TTT!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Susie @ Fold in the Flour06 July, 2012 19:33

      I must admit, I've found very few people who don't like chocolate cake. :)

      Delete
  4. Crunchy Creamy Sweet05 July, 2012 18:59

    You can never go wrong with a chocolate cake. Especially if it looks gorgeous like this one :)

    ReplyDelete
  5. wrystarr05 July, 2012 21:43

    This is something I will never outgrow - my absolute favourite, chocolate cake. I am always trying different recipes to see which one I like best, I will try yours next. Cheers for the recipe, this cake is beautiful!

    Built in Ovens UK

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Susie @ Fold in the Flour06 July, 2012 19:34

      Great stuff! Hope you like it. Perhaps you could let me know how you get on? :)

      Delete
  6. Cupcake Crazy Gem05 July, 2012 22:39

    You just can't beat a chocolate cake, I love how moist yours look and that ganache is calling out my name!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Susie @ Fold in the Flour06 July, 2012 19:35

      Thanks Gem, although I think there might be a bit of a queue behind Josh and Ben :)

      Delete
  7. Jo05 July, 2012 23:50

    This looks like chocolate heaven. I bet you got a lovely, rich waft of chocolate when you lifted the glass lid off the cake plate!

    Loving the glimpse of Berylware too :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Susie @ Fold in the Flour06 July, 2012 19:37

      Thanks Jo - yes love the cake plate. It was the first time I used it. The Berylware reminds me of the china we used during my childhood. Funny, but I didn't like the colour then. Now I think it's lovely and have started trying to collect a few bits! :)

      Delete
  8. Unknown06 July, 2012 05:45

    I'm not really a massive fan of chocolate cake but the simplicity and class of this one is really calling to me. Stunning photos as usual!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Susie @ Fold in the Flour06 July, 2012 19:38

      Awww, thank you Dom. Perhaps we could tempt you then? :)

      Delete
  9. The Caked Crusader08 July, 2012 10:32

    oh yes - a big slice please!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Susie @ Fold in the Flour09 July, 2012 08:16

      Thanks - will have to prise it away from Josh and Ben first but glad you like it :)

      Delete
  10. Johanna GGG09 July, 2012 12:33

    I can see why you make this cake again and again - it looks so lovely

    ReplyDelete
  11. Unknown10 July, 2012 07:31

    Hi, visited through Tea Time Treats. What a lovely chocolate cake. It looks really moist and crumbly. Mich@www.pieceofcake.sg

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Susie @ Fold in the Flour15 July, 2012 09:31

      Hi Michele, thnaks for your visit - I love Tea Time treats as you discover so many new things! :)

      Delete
  12. foodporn11 July, 2012 05:28

    Hi Susie,
    I tried this yesterday ! It works!
    My family like the chocolate cake so much! Thank you for making me look like a professional cooker. :)
    Hey, do you mind submitting your photos to http://www.foodporn.net to make others hungry?
    You know it’s fun to do that. LOL. Hey, probably they would do this recipe too. :)
    XOXO~

    ReplyDelete
  13. Claire12 July, 2012 19:49

    Your chocolate cake looks so yummy.
    http://claire-stitchart.blogspot.co.uk/

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Susie @ Fold in the Flour15 July, 2012 09:32

      Thanks Claire, it's perfect for kids! Glad you like it :)

      Delete

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