The temptation of a chocolate cake

Imagine a chocolate cake before you topped with chocolate frosting and chocolate chips in the layers of the cake. Wow! This sure is an irresistible treat for all the chocolate lovers.

If we go back in to history, cakes were not at all like the ones we get today. They were more like sweetened bread with nuts and honey. The word cake has some Greek and English influence. It had different names and only when the wealthy people began baking it with all the finest ingredients, it got the name – cake. At that time yeast was used as a rising agent but it was soon replaced by eggs.

The history of chocolate began in Latin America although Africa is the biggest producer of chocolate today. It comes from the tree ‘Theobroma Cacao’, which literally means ‘food of the gods.’ The tree produces 30-50 seeds when ready. Mayans, the people of that region, crushed the pods and made a spicy beverage. This got passed don to the Spanish and 100 years thereafter it reached Europe. The Spanish made a chocolate drink that became so popular and important in their culture that it was drunk in the church and also during fasts. In 1700’s, a Frenchman made the chocolate paste and machines were invented but it was only in 1875, Daniel Peter and Henri Nestlé introduced milk to chocolate and created the world famous ‘Milk chocolate’.

Today, chocolate cakes are a favorite with people of all age groups. They are a gifted on festive occasions like Christmas and many people just cannot resist chocolate. A chocolate cake is especially very popular. During the Christmas season, it is a favorite of many. Let us here look at a recipe of a two layered chocolate cake that can be baked at home.

Chocolate Cake

Ingredients

All purpose flour – 1 ½ flour
Sugar – 1 cup
Milk/Water – ½ cup
Vegetable oil – ½ cup
Cocoa Powder – 3 tbsp
Baking Powder – 2 tsp
Vanilla Essence – 2 tsp
Salt – ¼ tsp
Eggs – 2

Method

1. Prepare for baking by pre- heating the oven at 350 degrees.
2. Mix the dry ingredients in a bowl – flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, cocoa powder.
3. Now add milk/water, oil, vanilla essence and the eggs one at a time.
4. Make a smooth batter in a mixer.
5. Pour the ready batter into a greased baking pan and bake for 30-45 minutes.
6. When the cake it ready, let is cool slightly.
7. Now take it out of the baking pan and cool it in the fridge.
8. Cut it into two equal halves and keep aside.

Ingredients for Frosting

Softened Butter – ½ cup (160g)
Powdered Sugar – 3 cups
Cocoa Powder – ½ cup
Lukewarm Milk – 4-5 tbsp
Vanilla Essence – 1 ½ tsp

Method

1. Cream the butter and powdered sugar.
2. Add the other ingredients and beat till smooth.
3. Be careful that you do not over beat.
4. If you like you can add chocolate chips.
5. Spread this frosting between the two halves of the cake and on the top
of the cake.