We are having so many ‘firsts’ lately. Yesterday we had another one. “Papa’s first Father’s Day“. This was his first opportunity to be pampered as a daddy and he was loving every second of it. Little monster wished him in her own way by jumping on his face with her open claws while he was fast asleep and he woke up terrified like every morning we do since she’s born and then smeared his face with saliva ,just an innocent attempt to kiss him.
Kids give you so many reasons to celebrate and so many reasons to indulge into, “uh! not so waist friendly food” and yesterday was one of those days. Papa‘s all time favorite dessert is this chocolate cake that I make which is a recipe I stole adopted from Ina Garten.
Now if you are as crazy about Food Network as I am then you have to know Ina Garten and if you know her then chances are you might if not tasted then have seen this Beatty’s Chocolate Cake‘s recipe which I happen to love. This was probably my first attempt at Chocolate Cake and everytime I make it, it tastes even better.
Two secret ingredients… Buttermilk and Coffee! And the cake turns out gooey, moist and delectable!
Then I used a simple butter cream frosting and topped it with some shaved white chocolate. Although the shaving I thought sucked but the cake was a hit like always!
Here’s what I did…
Ingredients: (Adopted by Beatty’s Chocolate Cake)
1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for pans
2 cups sugar
3/4 cups cocoa powder
2 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
1 cup buttermilk (2part milk + 1 part yogurt) or if u don’t have buttermilk add 1tablespoon white vinegar to 1 cup/200ml milk and add to thebatter right away don’t let it stay.
1/2 cup vegetable oil
2 extra-large eggs, at room temperature
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1 cup freshly brewed hot coffee
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Butter 2 (8-inch) round cake pans , then butter and flour the pans.
Sift the flour, cocoa, baking soda, baking powder, and salt into the bowl and mix on low speed until combined. In another bowl combine sugar, oil and eggs. When mixed all well add buttermilk and vanilla and beat for another 2-3 minutes.
Mixing on low speed, slowly add the wet ingredients to the dry. Mixing still on low, add a cup of freshly brewed coffee. Stir just to combine, scraping the bottom of the bowl with a rubber spatula.
Pour the batter into the prepared pans and bake for 35 to 40 minutes.
To test if the cake is well done poke a clean toothpick or knife right in the center,if it comes out clean the the cake is ready to come out, if not bake until its done.
Let it sit for 10-15 minutes and then take the cake out and cool on a cooling rack.
Chocolate Frosting:
6 ounces dark chocolate
1 stick unsalted butter, at room temperature
1 extra-large egg yolk, at room temperature
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
Almost 2 cups sifted confectioners’ sugar (stressing on ‘almost’ because I keep adding my sugar until I get the consistency I want. If you want want your frosting thicker add more if not add less!)
1 tablespoon instant coffee powder
Chop the chocolate and melt it. Set aside until cooled to room temperature.
Beat the butter until fluffy. Add the egg yolk and vanilla and continue beating. Slowly add the confectioners’ sugar in small batches, scraping down the bowl as necessary, until smooth and creamy. Dissolve the coffee powder in 2 teaspoons of the hottest tap water. On low speed, add the chocolate and coffee to the butter mixture and mix until blended. Don’t whip!
Now here’s a wonderful tip one of my friends who also is a pastry chef gave me. If you want your cake to be super moist, take a cup of warm water and dissolve two spoon sugar. Take your cake and place it upside down (u should also level the cake from the top by cutting the shiny and slippery area with a big sharp knife) and brush this sugar syrup over it so that the cake absorbs the liquid ( do the same with both the cakes). Place 1 layer, flat on a cake pedestal spread the top with frosting. Place the second layer on top, rounded side up, and spread the frosting evenly on the top and sides of the cake. If u still want to decorate the cake even more u can go ahead and be creative! I was not that creative and patient so I shaved some white chocolate on top of my cake and ate it!
