Description
Rich chocolate cake from Paula Deen combines classic Southern baking with indulgent flavor. Moist layers and creamy frosting create a memorable dessert perfect for celebrations.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 free-range eggs
- 350 g (12.5 oz) caster sugar
- 200 g (7 oz) plain chocolate
- 225 g (8 oz) plain flour
- 85 g (3 oz) cocoa powder
- 250 ml (9 fl oz) milk
- 250 ml (9 fl oz) boiling water
- 200 ml (7 fl oz) double cream
- 125 ml (4.5 fl oz) vegetable oil
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1.5 tsp baking powder
- 1.5 tsp bicarbonate of soda
Instructions
- Preparation: Preheat oven to 180°C (350°F), with fan setting at 160°C. Meticulously grease and line two 20-centimeter round cake tins with parchment paper.
- Batter Creation: In a large mixing bowl, amalgamate dry ingredients (plain flour, caster sugar, cocoa powder, baking powder, bicarbonate of soda). Vigorously incorporate eggs, milk, vegetable oil, and vanilla extract, whisking until achieving a silky-smooth consistency.
- Liquid Integration: Gently stream boiling water into the batter, stirring continuously. Embrace the unusually thin texture as a crucial element for the cake’s ultimate moisture and depth.
- Baking Process: Evenly distribute batter between prepared tins. Slide into preheated oven and bake for 25-35 minutes. Validate doneness by inserting a skewer—it should emerge pristine and free from wet batter.
- Cooling and Ganache Preparation: Allow cakes to cool completely within tins. Simultaneously, craft chocolate ganache by delicately melting plain chocolate and double cream in a saucepan over low heat. Whisk until achieving a glossy, seamless texture. Let ganache cool and thicken for 1-2 hours.
- Assembly and Finishing: Carefully extract cakes from tins. Transfer first layer to serving plate, lavishly spread ganache. Crown with second cake layer, then artfully coat entire cake with remaining ganache, ensuring an impeccably smooth finish.
Notes
- Check Cake Consistency: Thin batter is perfectly normal and ensures a moist, tender chocolate cake texture.
- Temperature Precision: Use exact oven settings (180°C/350°F) for consistent baking results and optimal cake rise.
- Cooling Technique: Allow cakes to cool completely inside tins to prevent structural damage and maintain cake integrity.
- Ganache Perfection: Let chocolate ganache cool and thicken for 1-2 hours to achieve ideal spreadable consistency for smooth cake decoration.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: British
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 500
- Sugar: 60 g
- Sodium: 300 mg
- Fat: 25 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 70 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 6 g
- Cholesterol: 80 mg