Wednesday, August 31, 2011

CHOCOLATE FUDGE CAKE

I love the fudginess of this cake. It is rich, decadent and easy to make. I got this recipe from a world renowned cake decorator....Toba Garrett (The Well Decorated Cake)


Ingredients:
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/4 cups (285 g) granulated sugar
3/4 cup (170 g) dark brown sugar, packed
1 cup (110 g) Dutch processed cocoa powder
2 1/4 tsp baking soda
1 1/2 tsp salt
2 1/4 cups (18 fl oz or 540 ml) buttermilk
1 cup (230 g) unsalted butter, room temperature
2 large eggs
1 1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract
6 oz (168 g) melted semisweet fine quality chocolate

1.Heat oven to 350°F (175°C). Butter and parchment line two 8x2-inch (20x5-cm) baking pans.
2. Measure all ingredients (except the chocolate) into a large mixer bowl.
3. Blend for 30 seconds on LOW speed, scraping bowl constantly.
4. Blend in the melted chocolate and beat 3 minutes on HIGH speed, scraping the bowl.
5. Spoon into the pans and level them well with an offset spatula.
6. Bake layers for 45 to 50 minutes or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.

Storage: Double wrap the cake in plastic wrap. It will keep in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks or in the freezer for up to 2 months.

Wednesday, August 24, 2011

CHOCOLATE CAKE

This cake was made by a friend mine which I thought was probably one of the best cakes I have tried. It is very moist and can easily be made into cupcakes. The batter is very liquid but that does not affect the final cake.

SUPER MOIST CHOCOLATE CAKE
2 cups sugar
1¾ cups flour
¾ cup cocoa
1½ teaspoons baking powder
1½ teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
2 eggs
1 cup milk
½ cup vegetable oil
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 cup boiling water

Heat oven to 350°F. Prepare two 9-inch round baking pans with non-stick cooking spray.
In a medium sized bowl using a whisk, mix together sugar, flour, cocoa, baking powder, baking soda and salt in large bowl.
In a smaller bowl mix together eggs, milk, oil and vanilla. Add the wet mixture to the dry ingrediants and beat on medium speed of mixer 2 minutes.
Stir in boiling water (batter will be thin) with a spoon or spatula. Pour batter into prepared pans.
Bake 30 to 35 minutes or until wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool 10 minutes. Remove from pans to wire racks. Cool completely.

Tuesday, August 16, 2011

COTTON SOFT JAPANESE CHEESECAKE

A couple of my students brought this beautiful cake to my class. I was intrigued and asked them what type of cake it was. They told me it was a Japanese Cheesecake. It looked so delicate and mouth watering. I went home and tried a recipe I found online. I love cheesecake and wondered what made this one different. After baking it I discovered this is not your ordinary cheesecake. This is a very light, melt in your mouth cake. It is firm enough that you can treat it like an ordinary sponge cake, but far better than any sponge I have made. With a hint of cream cheese and lemon flavour I was sold. It is incredibly easy to make and it is perfect on it's own.
Here is the recipe I found online from Diana's Desserts.

COTTON SOFT JAPANESE CHEESECAKE

INGREDIENTS:

140g/5 oz. fine granulated sugar
6 egg whites
6 egg yolks
1/4 tsp. cream of tartar
50g/2 oz. butter
250g/9 oz. cream cheese
100 ml/3 fluid oz. fresh milk
1 tbsp. lemon juice
60g/2 oz. cake flour /superfine flour
20g/1 oz. cornflour (cornstarch)
1/4 tsp. salt

METHOD:
1. Melt cream cheese, butter and milk over a double boiler. Cool the mixture. Fold in the flour, the cornflour, egg yolks, lemon juice and mix well.

2. Whisk egg whites with cream of tartar until foamy. Add in the sugar and whisk until soft peaks form.

3. Add the cheese mixture to the egg white mixture and mix well. Pour into a 8-inch round cake pan (Lightly grease and line the bottom and sides of the pan with greaseproof baking paper or parchment paper).

4. Bake cheesecake in a water bath for 1 hours 10 minutes or until set and golden brown at 160 degrees C (325 degrees F).

Makes 1 (8-inch) cheesecake, 12 servings.