Elyses Chocolate Cake Food

RICH CHOCOLATE MOUSSE CAKE

Steps:

• For the cake, preheat the oven to 325ºF. Grease 2 8-inch round cake pans, line the bottoms with parchment paper and then lightly dust the sides of the pan with flour, tapping out any excess.
• *Please note that only 1 cake layer is needed for this recipe, but it is easiest to make this recipe in its full measure and freeze the second cake for a later use.
• Whisk the boiling water, chocolate and butter together until melted (it will be visibly grainy) and set aside.
• Whip the egg, sugar and vanilla until the mixture doubles in volume (about 2 minutes on high speed) and then fold in the chocolate mixture by hand.
• Sift the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt over the batter and fold in, then stir in the hot coffee (this will make the batter become fluid). Divide the batter evenly between the 2 pans.
• Bake the cakes for about 25 minutes, until a tester inserted in the centre of the cake comes out clean. Allow the cakes to cool completely in the pans.
• For the mousse, have ready a 9-inch springform pan, lining the bottom with parchment paper (in order to make the mousse-filled cake easier to remove from the pan). Whip 1 1/2 cups of the whipping cream until it holds a medium peak when the beaters are lifted and chill.
• Heat the remaining 1 1/2 cups of cream to just below a simmer and then pour it over the chopped chocolate. Let this sit one minute, then gently stir until incorporated. Set aside.
• Place the egg yolks in a bowl and whip for a minute on high speed. Place the sugar and water in a small saucepot over high heat and boil (occasionally brushing the sides of the pot with water) until it reaches 250ºF on a candy thermometer. Start whipping the egg yolks on medium speed and then carefully pour the hot sugar down the side of the bowl to avoid splashing, and then increase the mixer speed until high and whip until this has doubled in volume and cooled to about 105ºF (just above body temperature).
• Measure the temperature of the ganache to ensure it is close to 105ºF as well, and fold the ganache into the whipped yolks. Let this cool for 15 minutes, or until just above room temperature, then fold in the chilled whipped cream in 2 additions.
• Pour half of the mousse into the ungreased springform pan. Slice one of the cake layers in half horizontally and place this over the mousse, as centred as possible. Pour the remaining mousse over the cake layer and gently place the other half of the cake layer on top, pressing gently just so the mousse covers the sides of the cake, but not so that it sinks in. Wrap the pan in plastic wrap and freeze the cake to set it, at least 4 hours, or overnight.
• While the cake is setting, prepare the glaze. Bring the water, sugar, and cream to a boil in a medium saucepot. Once boiling, whisk in the cocoa powder and simmer (reducing the heat if needed) for 4 minutes, stirring often, (the consistency will not change). Remove from heat. Soften the gelatin in 1/4 cup of cold water and then whisk this into the hot cocoa mixture until dissolved. Cool the glaze to room temperature, then chill completely, at least 3 hours.
• To finish the cake, remove it from the freezer invert the pan onto a cooling rack placed over a parchment-lined baking tray. Use a hair dryer on a low, hot setting to gently warm the pan so that it releases from the pan, the sides first and then the top. Warm the chilled glaze while whisking occasionally until just melted and smooth and pour this over the torte, spreading gently with a spatula to ensure that it covers the top and sides of the torte evenly. Chill the cake for at least 30 minutes, then lift it onto your presentation plate and store chilled until ready to serve.
• The cake will keep, refrigerated, for up to 4 days.

EASY CHOCOLATE CAKE

Steps:

• Heat oven to 190C/170C fan/gas 5. Butter the base and sides of two 20cm round sandwich tins and line the bases with baking parchment.
• In a large bowl, beat together 200g golden caster sugar, 200g softened unsalted butter, 4 large eggs, 200g self-raising flour, 2 tbsp cocoa powder, 1 tsp baking powder, ½ tsp vanilla extract, 2 tbsp milk and a pinch of salt until pale.
• Divide the mixture between the prepared tins. Bake for 20 mins or until a skewer inserted into the centre of the cake comes out clean.
• Leave to cool in the tin for 10 mins, then turn out onto a wire rack to cool completely.
• For the buttercream, put 100g chopped milk chocolate in a heatproof bowl and melt in the microwave, stirring every 30 secs. Leave the melted chocolate to cool for 5 mins.
• Mash 200g softened butter and 400g icing sugar together with a fork, then switch to a wooden spoon or electric beaters, if you have them.
• Sift in 5 tbsp cocoa powder with a pinch of salt and pour in the melted chocolate and 2 tbsp milk. Mix again until smooth.
• On a cake stand or large plate, sandwich the cakes together with half of the buttercream, then spread the rest on top. Decorate with chocolate shards, if you like.
• To make chocolate shards: melt 50g dark chocolate and pour it onto a tray lined with baking parchment or foil.
• Now melt 25g milk chocolate and 25g white chocolate and drizzle them over the dark chocolate before it sets.
• Shake the tray gently to level the mixture then leave to set somewhere cool. Chop into shards.

CHOCOLATE LAYER CAKE WITH SWISS BUTTERCREAM AND GANACHE

Steps:

• Make the cake: Preheat the oven to 350˚ F. Butter and flour two 9-inch round cake pans and line the bottoms with parchment paper. Put the cocoa powder and chocolate in a medium bowl. Add the boiling water and whisk until the chocolate is melted. Whisk in the sour cream until smooth; let cool to room temperature.
• Whisk the flour, baking soda and salt in a medium bowl; set aside. Beat the butter, granulated sugar and brown sugar in a large bowl with a mixer on medium-high speed until fluffy, 3 to 4 minutes. Add the eggs, one at a time, then the vanilla, beating well after each addition. Reduce the mixer speed to low. Beat in the flour mixture in 3 additions, alternating with the cocoa mixture in 2 additions. Finish mixing gently with a rubber spatula, scraping the bottom and sides of the bowl.
• Divide the batter evenly between the cake pans. Tap the pans against the counter to eliminate any air bubbles. Bake until the cakes spring back in the center when gently pressed, 35 to 40 minutes. Let the cakes cool in the pans for 10 minutes, then run an offset spatula around the edges and turn out the cakes onto a rack to cool completely. Remove the parchment.
• Make the frosting: Bring a few inches of water to a simmer in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Whisk the egg whites, granulated sugar and salt in the bowl of a stand mixer. Set the bowl over the saucepan (do not let the bottom of the bowl touch the water); cook, whisking, until the sugar dissolves, the egg whites are frothy and the mixture is warm, 3 to 5 minutes.
• Transfer the bowl to the stand mixer and beat with the whisk attachment on medium-high speed until stiff glossy peaks form and the mixture cools to room temperature, about 5 minutes. With the mixer running, add the butter a few pieces at a time, waiting for them to incorporate before adding more. (The mixture will become liquidy, then it will get thick and shiny once the butter emulsifies. It may also look curdled as you add the butter. It's OK: Keep adding butter and beating.) Add the vanilla and beat until combined and fluffy, 3 to 5 more minutes.
• Cut each cake in half horizontally to create 4 layers. Place 1 layer on a cake stand or serving plate. Spread about 2/3 cup frosting on top, then repeat with the remaining cake layers, spreading more frosting in between them. Spread a thin layer of frosting on the top and sides of the cake (this is the crumb coat - it doesn't have to be perfect), then refrigerate until the frosting sets, about 30 minutes. Spread the remaining frosting all over the top and sides of the cake, smoothing it with a bench scraper.
• Make the ganache: Heat the heavy cream in a saucepan over medium-high heat until steaming, then pour over the chocolate in a small heatproof bowl. Let sit for 5 minutes, then stir until smooth. Set aside until cool but still pourable, 20 to 40 minutes (the time will vary depending on the temperature and bowl). Pour the ganache on top of the cake and spread with a small offset spatula, letting it drip down the sides. Let the ganache set 20 to 30 minutes before slicing.

ELODIE'S CHOCOLATE CAKE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 325°F. Butter and flour 10-inch-diameter springform pan with 2 3/4-inch-high sides. Stir chocolate and butter in heavy medium saucepan over low heat until chocolate melts and mixture is smooth. Beat eggs and 1 1/4 cups sugar in large bowl until well blended and beginning to thicken. Sift flour and baking powder over eggs and fold in. Gradually fold in chocolate mixture. Transfer batter to prepared pan.
• Bake cake 20 minutes. Cover pan with foil. Bake until tester inserted into center comes out with moist crumbs still attached, about 30 minutes longer. Uncover cake; cool in pan on rack (cake will fall as it cools). (Can be made 1 day ahead. Cover; let stand at room temperature.)
• Cut around pan sides to loosen cake. Release pan sides. Sift powdered sugar over cake; cut into wedges.

FAST N' EASY CHOCOLATE CAKE ROLL

Steps:

• In a medium bow, combine flour, cocoa powder, cornstarch, baking soad, baking powder and salt.
• Mix well; set aside.
• In a separate bowl, using and electric mixer set on MEDIUM beat egg yolks and 1/4 cup sugar until fluffy.
• In a smaller bowl, using clean beaters, beat whites on high until foamy.
• Gradually add 1/2 cup sugar; beat til stiff but not dry.
• Fold 1/3 egg whites into egg yolk mixture.
• Alternately fold in remaining whites and flour mixture.
• Prepare a 15" x 10" jelly roll pan lined with wax paper and greased and floured beforehand.
• Poor batter in pan, smooth top.
• Bake in a preheated 350 degree oven until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean, about 15 minutes.
• Dust a clean tea cloth with remaining sugar.
• Turn cake out onto prepared cloth, remove wax paper and trim cake edges.
• Starting with a long side, tightly roll up cake with cloth.
• Transfer seamside down, to a wire rack to cool.
• Unroll cake; remove cloth.
• Spread cool whip and re-roll cake.
• Place seamside down on a plate and dust with confectionery sugar before serving.
• I add some chopped chocolate bits to the cool whip sometimes for a change.

DARN GOOD CHOCOLATE CAKE ( CAKE MIX CAKE)

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°F.
• Grease 2 9-inch round cake pans.
• Dust with flour and tap out the excess; set pans aside.
• Place the cake mix, pudding mix, sour cream, water, oil, and eggs in a large mixing bowl.
• Blend with an electric mixer on low speed for 1 minute.
• Stop and scrape down the sides of the bowl.
• On medium low speed, continue to blend for 2-3 minutes more.
• The batter will be very thick and should look well combined.
• Pour batter into prepared pans and smooth it out.
• Bake for 27-32 minutes (since I switched pans, I started checking the cakes at 25 minutes-- it was like gooey chocolate pudding-- then 3 minutes later it was perfect.
• Another couple of minutes and I think it would have been dry, so keep an eye on your cakes.
• Allow to cool in the pans on a wire rack for 20 minutes.
• Now is the time to start preparing your frosting.
• Run a knife along the edges on the cakes pans and carefully remove cake by inverting it; allow to cool for 20 minutes more on the wire rack right side up.
• When the cake layers are completely cool, cut layers in half (save a domed layer for the top-- it makes your cakes look homemade) and frost.

INSANELY CHOCOLATEY - CHOCOLATE NEMESIS CAKE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 300°F; line an 8-inch diameter shallow cake pan 2 inches deep with nonstick baking paper, then grease it with butter and sprinkle with flour.
• Beat the eggs with one third of the sugar until the mixture quadruples in volume (this operation will require beating for around 10 minutes with an electric beater). Heat the rest of the sugar in a saucepan with 1 cup water until the sugar dissolves into a syrup.
• Add the chocolate pieces and the butter. Mix well. When smooth, remove from the heat and leave to cool. Pour the mixture over the eggs while it is still slightly warm and continue to beat gently until it is smooth (no more than 20 seconds).
• Pour the mixture into the prepared cake pan and place the pan in a roasting pan of hot water. The water must come right up to the top of the mold, so that the cooking is uniform.
• Bake it for 30 minutes in the oven until it has set. Check for doneness by gently placing the palm of your hand on the surface. If it is not set, continue cooking.
• Cool the cake in the pan before turning upside down to unmold onto a cake plate. Serve with a spoonful of whipped cream some fresh raspberries or just inhale the cake straight off the plate! If you're feeling really crazy for chocolate, top the cake with chocolate curls too ;).

ULTIMATE CHOCOLATE CAKE

Steps:

• Heat the oven to 160C/fan 140C/gas 3. Butter and line a 20cm round cake tin (7.5cm deep).
• Put 200g chopped dark chocolate in a medium pan with 200g butter.
• Mix 1 tbsp instant coffee granules into 125ml cold water and pour into the pan.
• Warm through over a low heat just until everything is melted - don't overheat. Or melt in the microwave for about 5 minutes, stirring halfway through.
• Mix 85g self-raising flour, 85g plain flour, ¼ tsp bicarbonate of soda, 200g light muscovado sugar, 200g golden caster sugar and 25g cocoa powder, and squash out any lumps.
• Beat 3 medium eggs with 75ml buttermilk.
• Pour the melted chocolate mixture and the egg mixture into the flour mixture and stir everything to a smooth, quite runny consistency.
• Pour this into the tin and bake for 1hr 25 - 1hr 30 mins. If you push a skewer into the centre it should come out clean and the top should feel firm (don't worry if it cracks a bit).
• Leave to cool in the tin (don't worry if it dips slightly), then turn out onto a wire rack to cool completely. Cut the cold cake horizontally into three.
• To make the ganache, put 200g chopped dark chocolate in a bowl. Pour 300ml double cream into a pan, add 2 tbsp golden caster sugar and heat until it is about to boil.
• Take off the heat and pour it over the chocolate. Stir until the chocolate has melted and the mixture is smooth. Cool until it is a little thicker but still pourable.
• Sandwich the layers together with just a little of the ganache. Pour the rest over the cake letting it fall down the sides and smooth over any gaps with a palette knife.
• Decorate with 50g grated chocolate or 100g chocolate curls. The cake keeps moist and gooey for 3-4 days.

VERY CHOCOLATEY CAKE

Steps:

• Ask a grown-up to switch the oven on to 180C/160C fan/ gas 4. Break the eggs into a small bowl and scoop out any bits of shell, then tip them into a large bowl.
• Put the sugar and butter in a bowl, then sift over the flour, baking powder and cocoa.
• Beat everything together using a wooden spoon or electric beaters, then stir in the chocolate drops.
• Spoon half of the mixture into each tin and smooth the tops.
• Ask a grown-up to bake the cakes for 20-25 mins or until risen and a skewer comes out clean. Cool in the tin for 5 mins, then turn out onto a rack.
• Beat the butter and icing sugar, then fold in the chocolate. Spread over the middle, sandwich the cakes together, then dust with icing sugar.

DEEP DARK CHOCOLATE CAKE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°F.
• Grease and flour one 13 x 9-inch baking pan.
• If you want a layer cake, use two 9-inch pans.
• In large bowl, stir together sugar, flour, cocoa, baking soda, baking powder and salt.
• Add eggs, buttermilk, coffee (if making with instant, use 2 tsp to make 1 cup), oil and vanilla; beat on medium speed of electric mixer 2 minutes. Batter will be thin.
• Pour into prepared pan.
• Bake until cake tester inserted in centre comes out clean (30-35 minutes for round pans, 35-40 minutes for rectangular pans).
• Cool 10 minutes; (if using 9-inch round cake pans, remove from pan) and cool on wire racks.
• Cool completely, then frost with your favourite vanilla icing.

ONE EGG CHOCOLATE CAKE

Steps:

• pre-heat oven to 190 degrees Celsius.
• grease a 20cm round cake tin and line base with baking paper.
• melt butter and syrup in a small saucepan.
• pour melted ingredients into a small bowl.
• add egg and sugar, beat well.
• sift cocoa, flour and BAKING POWDER together.
• fold sifted ingredients and essence into egg mixture.
• dissolve baking soda in milk.
• fold into egg mixture.
• pour mixture into prepared pan and bake for 30 minutes or until cake springs back when lightly touched.
• leave in tin 5 minutes before turning out onto wire rack.
• when cold ice with chocolate icing.
• Chocolate Icing:.
• sift icing sugar and cocoa in a bowl, add butter, add sufficient water to mix to a spreadable consistency, flavour with essence.

ELYSE'S CHOCOLATE CAKE

Steps:

• Place all dry ingredients in the mixer.
• Turn mixer on low and slowly add the wet ingredients 1 at a time.
• Pour into 2 greased round pans or 2 square pans.
• Bake 350 for 45minutes-1 hour.
• Freezes well.
• Hint: line the pans with baking paper for easy clean up.