Tag: rich

Happy Birthday to Me!

Another year, another chapter of my life begins. They said that ‘the older you get, the wiser you are.’ Though I don’t think this phrase applies entirely to me, life can only go upwards and onwards! 👍👍 It was so much fun celebrating with some of my closest friends. And for the other special people in my life that weren’t able to make it today, I am always grateful for your constant presence around me. Sometimes, I do feel like I am not thankfully enough for what I have right now and just constantly want more. But, truly simplicity is the best, and what I have right now is really enough for me.

As for the birthday cake, I was very inspired to make a Devil’s food cake after stumbling across a video by Nigella Lawson one night. (You can see the link here👉 https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=tcZSTF4L0bw) Gooey, moist and rich. It is definitely one for any chocolate lovers. (And even better when served with a glass of Sangria! 🍷 You must excuse me as I was still quite tipsy whilst typing this post… 😂😂)

I added some wafer paper feathers, desiccated coconut and white chocolate stars to play along the light and dark theme of the cake, but you can have it just as simple as Nigella would and it would taste just as ‘heavenly’ as she described. ❤️❤️

Here is to another year! 😊💪

Life Is Like a Box of Chocolates

As the famous quote in Forrest Gump goes, ‘you never know what you’re gonna get’. Life can get tough at times, but those sweetest and happiest moments also sometimes come at the most surprising times. However, one thing for certain is you can never have too much chocolates. This rich and moist chocolate cake covered in velvety chocolate ganache will be a delicious treat at any time you desire. In fact, life should be filled with chocolates!

Chocolate Cake with Chocolate Ganache

Ingredients:

Chocolate Cake:

225g self-rising flour

85g cocoa powder

200g caster sugar

2 eggs

1 tsp baking powder

220ml milk

20ml flavourless oil

1 tsp vanilla extract

60 ml hot water

Chocolate Ganache:

240ml double cream

200g dark chocolate, chopped

20g unsalted butter, softened

Decorations (optional):

Coloured fondant, purple and green

White chocolate, block

Method:

  1. Preheat the oven to 180C/fan 160C/gas 4.
  2. Sieve the flour and cocoa powder into a large bowl.
  3. Add all the other cake ingredients, apart from the hot water, into the flour mixture. Mix until it is well combined.  Then, gradually add in the hot water and mix until smooth.
  4. Grease the cake tin, and pour the cake batter into the tin. Bake the cake for 35-45 minutes, or until a skewer inserted into the centre comes out completely clean. Remove the cake from the oven and leave it to cool in the tin before icing.
  5. To make the chocolate ganache, heat the double cream in a saucepan to boil.
  6. Place the chopped chocolate in a large bowl, then pour the hot cream over the chocolate. Whisk until the mixture is smooth and well combined.
  7. Add the butter to the ganache mixture and whisk until it is fully incorporated.
  8. Leave the ganache to set at room temperature for about 1-2 hours before using it to ice the cake.
  9. Using a peeler, scrape the white chocolate block to create white chocolate shavings. Shape the coloured fondant into flowers and leaves.
  10. Decorate with coloured fondant flowers and white chocolate shavings before serving.