Sunday 20 March 2011

The Cake Slice Bakers - Challenge 6 - March 2011 - Chocolate Cream Pound Cake.


Any kind of chocolate cake always goes down well here.  The boys helped make this one and thoroughly enjoyed licking the spoons/bowls/everything going.
As you can see, I opened the oven too early so the cake sank in the middle but apart from that it is a very nice and easy chocolate cake.  We made it the day before I went away for a two day course and it was all gone by the time I got back.  Should have made two!



Recipe - Chocolate Cream Pound Cake (adapted from Cake Keeper Cakes by Lauren Chattman)

Ingredients - 
6 tbsp cocoa powder
1/4 cup double cream
1 cup plus 2 tbsp plain flour
1/4 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt
4 oz unsalted butter, softened
1 1/2 cups sugar
3 large eggs
1tsp pure vanilla extract

Method - 
1. Preheat the oven to 325F/170C/GM 3. Grease a 9" by 5" loaf pan and dust with flour.
2. Sift the cocoa powder through a fine strainer and into a heatproof bowl.  Place the cream in a microwave safe jug and heat until just boiling (30-60s).  Pour the hot cream over the cocoa and stir and mash with a spoon to make a thick paste.  Set aside to cool.
3. Combine the flour, baking soda, and salt in a medium mixing bowl.
4. Combine the butter and sugar in a large mixing bowl and cream with an electric mixer on medium-high speed until fluffy, about 3 mins.  Beat in the cocoa powder paste until smooth.
5. With the mixer on medium-low speed, add the eggs one at a time.  Stir in the vanilla.
6. Turn the mixer to low speed and add the flour mixture 1/2 cup at a time.  After the last addition, mix for 30s on medium speed.
7. Scrape the batter into the prepared pan and smooth the top with a rubber spatula.  Bake the cake until it is firm to the touch and a toothpick inserted in the centre comes out clean, about 1 hour and 10 mins.  Let the cake cool in the pan for 5 mins, invert it onto a wire rack, and then turn it right side up on a rack to cool completely.  Slice and serve.
8. Store uneaten cake in a cake keeper or wrap in plastic and store at room temperature for up to 3 days.


See other bakers' versions at The Cake Slice Blogroll.



22 comments:

  1. Those are two of the cutest helpers that I have seen in a long time. Too adorable, with their aprons and chocolate faces. The cake doesn't look to bad either.

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  2. That last picture is just adorable - were they taking one lick each? My cake sank too and I am not sure why. I did like the flavor and will be making it again soon.

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  3. Those cuties make everything look yummy! Glad you guys enjoyed it. Mine also sank in the middle but it seems like most of us had that luck!

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  4. I love the pictures of your boys - looks like they LOVED this one!! :)

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  5. Love your helpers helping themselves to the batter! Good job Kids!

    Love your cake keeper big time!

    Texture of your cake looks good.

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  6. Adorable little helpers. Despite it sinking , the slices look great.

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  7. Every kid is doing this stuff, eating/licking the spatula... so cute

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  8. Awww, so cute pics of the angels :-)
    And the first slice looks heart shaped :-) and the cake perfect!

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  9. Looks lovely. Your little helpers are doing a great job :)

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  10. FBMKW - sometimes they are a bit too cute and get away with murder! I love these photos of them, though - a bit cheeky and with their chocolate faces. Hee hee.

    ATLATC - I think they were beginning to fight over the last scraps by that last photo. It seems that most people's cakes sank so I feel better about my one now. Didn't affect the taste, though.

    DaintyApron - Yes, it does seem that most people's sank. So we needn't feel bad. It still got eaten up!

    Shelley - yes chocolate always goes down well and the batter for this cake was lovely!

    Emily - Thanks. The cake keeper is a Nigella Lawson one - got it from my Mum-in-law for Christmas. I love it and it is well used.

    Rachel - thank you. :-)

    Megan - yes, I remember licking the spoons and bowls after my Mum had been baking when I was wee. Best childhood pastime. Or adult one, of course!

    SPF - :-D Thank you! The heart shape is cute, isn't it?

    Kelly-Jane - They are almost as good as a dishwasher. Ha ha. ;-)

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  11. Two very happy looking boys there. I've not yet tried using cream in cakes and keep meaning to do so. have bookmarked this recipe.

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  12. I love the pic of the K whisk looking almost as big as your little one. Sounds like a delicious cake.

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  13. Choclette - it was actually a very small volume of cream, but definitely a nice cake.

    Kath - I hadn't really noticed that bit of advertising - I should get payment! Pretty classy models in that there advert!

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  14. With such darling helpers it's hard to go wrong. My cake sank in the middle, too. The top of yours reminds me of the top of a heart!

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  15. Your cake looks great. Love the photos of the boys enjoying the batter. yum ymu

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  16. Love it! My girls are the same here with cake batter :) Great post, enjoyed reading it.

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  17. Jo - makes for great childhood memories, I think - being allowed to lick the spoons!

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  18. Oh they are so cute! Thanks for stopping by today, and I hope you get to make the Sunflower rice with your two cutiepies!

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  19. Your kids are so cute!!! They are adorable!
    Licking bowls and spoons is really the best part of making a cake!

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  20. Those pictures are brilliant! (and the cake doesn't look half bad either!)

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  21. such cute pics! it musta been delicious!

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