Monthly Archives: April 2020

Lemon Drizzle Cake

Source: https://www.insider.com/dessert-recipes-michelin-star-chefs-everyone-is-able-to-do-2020-4#lemon-drizzle-cake-2

The description is that it’s easy… and it is, if you have lemon juice or don’t hate juicing lemons. This used the juice & zest of 5-6 home grown Meyer lemons.

The original recipe has a lemon glaze, I didn’t make it. The cake is very lemony and not overly sweet, a nice balance without the glaze.

INGREDIENTS:

For the syrup

140g water
140g lemon juice
115g caster sugar

– Boil all the syrup ingredients together and set aside until needed.
– Let the cakes cool down for a few minutes before brushing with the lemon syrup.

For the cake

400g plain flour
10g baking powder
2g fine sea salt (quarter of a teaspoon)
350g whole eggs (7)
400g caster sugar
220g yogurt
30g lemon zest
80g lemon juice
150g unsalted butter, melted

– Sieve the flour and the baking powder together.
– Mix together the whole eggs and sugar, whisking until just combined (not thick and aerated). 
– Add the yogurt into the eggs, followed by the zest and the juice. 
– Add in the flour until just combined, followed by the melted butter. 
– Place into a large loaf tin that’s lined with parchment then greased and floured, and bake at 350F for 60+ minutes (It took me 1.5 hours at 320 then 350).
– Allow the cake to cool a little before gently unmolding from the tin, and place onto a cooling rack. 
– Let it cool for five minutes, then pierce with holes all over the cake for the syrup to enter. 
– Slowly pour all over with the lemon syrup. 

Chocolate Blackout Cake

Source: https://www.browneyedbaker.com/chocolate-blackout-cake/

FOR THE PUDDING:

  •  1¼ cups granulated sugar
  •  ¼ cup cornstarch
  •  ½ teaspoon salt
  •  2 cups half-and-half
  •  1 cup whole milk
  •  6 oz unsweetened chocolate (chopped or chips)
  •  2 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1/4 cup cocoa powder (optional)

MAKE THE PUDDING:

  1. In a large saucepan, whisk together the sugar, cornstarch, salt, half-and-half, and milk. Set the pan over medium heat.
  2. Add the chocolate & cocoa powder and whisk constantly until the chocolate is completely melted and the mixture begins to thicken (it should look glossy and large bubbles break on the surface)
  3. Remove from the heat and whisk in the vanilla.
  4. Transfer the pudding to a large bowl and press plastic wrap directly on the surface of the pudding. Refrigerate at least 3 hours, until throughly cooled.

* Pudding can be made a day ahead, this recipe makes enough for the layers & covering the cake only. No snacking!

FOR THE CAKE:

  •  ½ cup unsalted butter
  •  1½ cups all-purpose flour
  •  2 teaspoons baking powder
  •  ½ teaspoon baking soda
  •  ½teaspoonsalt
  •  ¾ cup Dutch-processed cocoa powder
  •  1 cup brewed coffee (decaf)
  •  1 cup buttermilk
  •  1 scant cup granulated sugar
  •  1 scant cup light brown sugar
  •  2 eggs
  •  1 teaspoon vanilla extract

MAKE THE CAKE:

  1. Make the Cake: Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F. Grease two 8-inch cake pans. (Did with an 8″ springform and a 9″ cake pan)
  2. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt.
  3. Melt the butter in a large saucepan over medium heat. Stir in the cocoa and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute. Remove from the heat, and whisk in the coffee, buttermilk, and sugars until dissolved. Whisk in the eggs and vanilla, then slowly whisk in flour mixture. (Be careful to squish all the lumps!)
  4. Divide the batter evenly between the prepared pans and bake until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, about 30 to 35 minutes. Cool in the pans for 15 minutes, then invert onto a wire rack to cool completely, at least 1 hour.

ASSEMBLE IT ALL:

  1. Cut each cake in half horizontally so that you have four layers.
  2. Crumble one the ugliest layer into medium crumbs and set aside.
  3. Place one cake layer on a serving platter or plate. Spread 1 cup of the pudding over the cake layer and top with another layer. Repeat with 1 cup pudding and last cake layer.
  4. Spread the remaining pudding evenly over the top and sides of the cake. Sprinkle the cake crumbs evenly over the top and sides of the cake, pressing lightly to adhere.
  5. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving. The cake can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 2 days according to recipes. TBD on freezing.