Skip to main content

Chocolate cake

  

Credit NYT cooking 

FOR THE CAKE:

Butter for greasing baking pans

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

1 cup sugar

1 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/3 cup best-quality cocoa powder

6 ounces (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, at room temperature

2 large eggs, at room temperature

2 teaspoons vanilla

3/4 cup sour cream, at room temperature

FOR THE FROSTING:

6 ounces good-quality semisweet chocolate, broken into small pieces

3 ounces ( 3/4 stick) unsalted butter

1 tablespoon light corn syrup

1/2 cup sour cream

1 teaspoon vanilla

2 1/2 cups confectioners' sugar, sifted 


Step 1

For cake: heat oven to 350 degrees. Butter sides of two 8-inch cake pans, and line bottoms with parchment paper. In the bowl of a food processor fitted with a knife blade, combine flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, cocoa powder, butter, eggs, vanilla and sour cream. Process to make a smooth, thick batter.

Step 2

Using a rubber spatula, divide batter between pans, and smooth tops. Bake until a cake tester inserted in center comes out clean, 25 to 35 minutes; do not overbake. Transfer to a wire rack to cool for 10 minutes before removing from cake pans.

Step 3

For frosting: Combine chocolate and butter in a large heat-proof bowl, and heat until melted in a microwave oven or over a pan of simmering water. Remove from heat, and allow to cool for 5 minutes. Stir in corn syrup, sour cream, and vanilla. Whisk in confectioners' sugar until very smooth. Frosting should be thick and spreadable. If necessary, add a teaspoon or two of boiling water to thin it, or additional sifted confectioners' sugar to thicken.

Step 4

Cut four strips of waxed or parchment paper, and place them side by side on a cake plate, covering the surface. Place one cake layer domed-side down on plate.

Step 5

Spoon about a third of the frosting onto center of cake, and use a knife or a spatula to spread it evenly. Place the other cake on top, domed side up. Spoon another third of frosting on top of cake, spreading to make swirls or a smooth finish. Spread sides of cake with remaining frosting, and allow to sit for a few minutes until set. Carefully remove paper strips. Place cake under glass or in an airtight container, and set aside in a cool place until serving.

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Dal Makhani – Oberoi Style

This recipe has been copied reproduced many many times across the internet. This is the original one, given to me personally by the Chefs at the Oberoi in Bangalore. Source : inspired by a great dal at the Oberoi in Bangalore Cuisine: Indian Prep time: 15 mins plus soaking time Cooking time: 1.5 hour Serves: 4 – 6 people, depending how you use it ingredients 150g whole urad dal (black lentils) 50g rajma (red kidney beans) 50g channa dal (Bengal gram dal, also Ok to use chickpeas/garbanzo beans) 10g ginger, peeled 2 – 3 garlic cloves 2 green chillies salt to taste for tadka 50g ghee 1 tspn cumin 2 – 3 garlic cloves pinch asafoetida powder 0.5 tspn fenugreek seed 100g tomato paste or puree to finish 100g butter 30 ml cream 0.5 tspn or more chilli powder 0.5 tspn garam masala method Soak all of the lentils (urad, rajma and channa dal) in water for 6 hours, or preferably overnight. Wash four times, changing the water each time. Chop the garlic, ginger an

Crepes

    1 egg  1/3 cup whole wheat flour  1/3 cup milk  1/4 cup water   1/2 tsp vanilla extract  1/4 tsp salt  2 tbsp butter   After making batter let it rest for 20 minutes  

Ricotta pancakes nyt cooking

 1 cup ricotta or cottage cheese 1 cup sour cream or plain yogurt 3 eggs, separated ½ teaspoon baking soda 1 cup all-purpose flour Dash salt 1 tablespoon sugar 2 tablespoons lemon juice 2 teaspoons grated lemon zest Butter or grapeseed or other neutral oil as needed Step 1 Beat together the ricotta or cottage cheese, sour cream or yogurt and egg yolks. Combine baking soda, flour, salt and sugar. Beat egg whites until fairly stiff but not dry. Step 2 Heat a griddle or large skillet over medium-low heat while you finish batter. Stir flour mixture into cheese mixture, blending well but not beating. Stir in lemon juice and zest, then gently fold in beaten egg whites; they should remain somewhat distinct in batter. Step 3 Add about 1 tablespoon butter or oil to griddle or skillet and coat surface. When it is hot, add batter by the heaping tablespoon, making sure to include some egg white in each spoonful. Cook until lightly browned on bottom, 3 to 5 minutes, then turn and cook second side.