If you ask me to name a sweet treat that is perfect for any and every celebration and loved by all, it would be a rich, decadent chocolate cake. But what if I told you that you could enrich this classic treat with the addition of olive oil and intensify its flavour with coffee? With this recipe, you will not only be able to make a cake that fulfils your sweet cravings with intense flavour but also one that is extremely soft and moist. The secret to its softness lies in its liquid cake batter, which helps you make a sponge that will remain soft for days.
Recipe
Much like the recipes I share with you, this recipe is relatively straightforward and can be made with essential ingredients easily found at home. The process is simple! You need to mix all the wet ingredients, gently fold in the dry ingredients before pouring the batter into the desired mould, and then letting the oven do its magic. Anyone can easily make this recipe since it does not require you to layer the cake.
Step-by-step guide
Preparation time - 20 minutes
Cooking time - 60 to 70 minutes
Setting time - 10 to 15 minutes
Serves - 6 to 7 people
Ingredients :
For the cake
150 ml Milk
150 ml Warm water
75 ml Olive oil
1 Medium egg
170 gms Castor sugar
2 tbsp Coffee granules
135 gms All-purpose flour
50 gms Cocoa powder
1 tsp Baking powder
1 tsp Baking soda
For the Ganache
250 ml Fresh cream
3/4 tsp Cofee granules
250 gms Dark chocolate
Milk chocolate, for garnish
Oil, for greasing
Method
1. Grease a 7-inch round cake pan with some neutral oil and preheat the oven to 170°C.
2. In a large bowl, combine the milk, water, olive oil, egg, castor sugar, and coffee. Whisk until the sugar and coffee dissolve and everything is well combined.
3. Add the all-purpose flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and soda to the mixture. Gently fold it in using a whisk or spatula to form a liquid batter.
4. Pour the batter into the greased pan and place it in the preheated oven.
5. Let the cake bake for at least an hour or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
6. Once baked, remove the cake from the oven and let it cool down completely.
7. Meanwhile, prepare the chocolate coffee ganache. In a pan, heat the fresh cream over a medium flame. Once it starts to boil, remove the pan from the heat and add the coffee granules and chopped chocolate. Let it sit for 5 minutes, then whisk until the chocolate has melted and everything is well combined.
8. De-mould the cake and place it on a serving plate or cake stand.
9. Pour the ganache all over the cake and spread it out evenly.
10. Grate some milk chocolate on the prepared cake and place it in the fridge for at least 10 to 15 minutes or until the ganache is set.
11. Slice and serve the cake cold.
Tips:
1. Ensure all ingredients are at room temperature.
2. Use warm water to help the coffee granules dissolve easily.
3. Avoid over-mixing the batter after adding the dry ingredients.
4. You can use other flavourings like mint or strawberry instead of coffee.
5. De-mould the cake only after it has completely cooled down as it is very soft.
6. You can slice the cake in half and layer it with ganache.
7. Serve the cake slightly reheated with a scoop of vanilla ice cream if desired.
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