Thursday, August 30, 2012

Why Do People Love Chocolate Cake?

Chocolate CakeDo you know the difference between a chocolate cake made from chocolate and the one made from cocoa? If you do it's either you are a good baker or a chocolate cake lover. But what really makes it an all-time favorite by people from all walks of life? Unless you are allergic to chocolate you will definitely desire to have one on your plate right there where you are at this very moment. So read on and give yourself the information that explains your undying love for chocolate cakes.
• Chocolate cake is addictive. It does not men that you need to see a therapist just to cure your desire to eat.This type of addiction is something that you can let go of once you decide to. If you are curious how a chocolate cake can bring you happiness and a light feeling, well here's the explanation. Chocolate has a chemical called "caffeine" that is responsible for this. Once you ingested the chocolate its chemical component will drive your brain to give you a happy sensation. Because of such sensation, your brain will normally prod you to take eat another slice again. You see, at least now you have a reason to consume the whole plate without leftovers.
• Sweetness will make you feel energetic. Sugar is known to energize you. If you are so stressed in your workplace and you think you need sugar to keep you going then have a slice of the delicious chocolate cake. Order one online and in minutes or hours depending on your location, your favorite chocolate cake will be delivered right on your table. Those who are busy in their studies can also benefit from this since sugar will keep your mind alert. If you feel sleepy in the middle of your review, have a slice of this cake and you will surely memorize those lessons that your teacher will ask during the examination.
• Chocolate cake is used to express affection. Have you seen movies that talked about love and courtship? Perhaps you also viewed some parts of the story that shows the man giving cakes to women or the scene where the two of them were eating the cake. You should not wonder about this since chocolate is used to symbolize courtship. Some men even propose marriage to women they adore using the cake as a hiding place for the surprise engagement ring.
• It makes the birthday party complete. Some people don't have much in life but they still manage to give their children a reason to be happy on their birthdays. A simple menu with cake are enough to complete a perfect birthday party. You don't have to spend much in order to see the beautiful smile on your child's face. Just buy a chocolate cake from your favorite online bake shop and you'll surely see that happy face.
So, go on and indulge in eating your favorite chocolate cake and forget all your everyday stress.
Metrocakes is one of the leading bakeries in Singapore providing Cake Delivery and the very best Cakes Online.

Friday, August 17, 2012

Chocolate Cake - The Ultimate Recipe, One Bite of This Utterly Luscious Cake is All it Takes

Luscious CakeI've decided to be really generous and give you my secret recipe for the ultimate chocolate cake and quite possibly the greatest chocolate cake of all time.
A bit of a sweeping statement I know, especially with so many CC recipes making the same claim. But one bite of this deliciously rich, moist and utterly luscious cake will confirm you're onto a winner and have you helplessly devouring the whole thing, powerless to resist its deep, dark, chocolately charms.
My chocoholic friends say it's totally orgasmic...
And I have to agree. In fact, I'm thrilled to tell you, this glorious cake scores on all levels. Apart from having the most wonderfully intense chocolatey taste, it has a proper cake texture. By that I mean it's moist yet 'cakey' with a bit of crumb.
It isn't a damp squidgy cake that can't decide whether it's a cake or a brownie. Neither does it collapse in the middle - a la Nigella's Chocolate Cloud Cake although according to her it's meant to, which seems a bit weird if you ask me! I was always taught if a cake sinks there's something wrong with the mix. Meeow!
To bring you the best ever chocolate cake, I've spent months testing recipes, including ones by Delia Smith, Rosemary Shrager, Nigella, Sophie Grigson and one from the River Café. And not one of them comes close to the cake I'm giving you here. Double Meeow! But it's true.
Either the texture was wrong or they weren't anywhere near chocolately enough. The wonderfully named Chocolate Nemisis from River Cafe came close in flavour, but the texture let it down. I've since been told it's notoriously difficult to get right. If I'd known that in the first place I wouldn't have attempted it!
But I digress.
The point is the chocolate cake you're looking at here is pretty simple to make. It's rich yet light because it doesn't contain any flour. Yet unlike other flourless cakes, there's no faffing around whipping up egg whites or careful folding in. You make it along the lines of a standard sponge. There's nothing 'A' Level about it. It also slides effortlessly out the tin without collapsing in the process.
But what really grabs me most is the taste and texture. It is sensational with a capital S. I almost feel I should keep this recipe secret, it's so good. But being the kind hearted soul that I am, feel I must share it with you, so you can experience it for yourself and hopefully drop me a line afterwards to tell me just how wonderful I am for giving it to you!
I feel a cake as good as this deserves a decent topping. In this case nothing less than a ganache will do. If you want to cover the sides of the cake as well, just make double the amount. The quantity I'm giving you here though, is enough for a decent sandwich filling and topping.
One final point, you can either make a large cake, or split the mixture equally between two sandwich tins as I have done here. I can vouch that both work equally well. If you're making one large cake, cook it for 40-45 minutes otherwise cook for 30-35 minutes if using two sandwich tins.
 
 

Tuesday, August 14, 2012

Tips On Making The Ultimate Chocolate Cake

Chocolate CakeBaking the Ultimate Chocolate Cake can strike fear in the hearts of some cooks. Thoughts of a tasteless cake, icky frosting and other horrors fill their minds. But really, it's not all that hard if you use the right tools and just take things one step at a time. Also, try to stick with easier chocolate cake recipes to begin with until you're more confident in your cake making skills. Here are some steps to get you started on the path to cake baking nirvana!
Preparing the Pan:
-Always be sure to use the size pan that is called for in the recipe.
-Grease and lightly flour your pan prior to assembling the recipe.
-If the cake pan you are using has an elaborate design be sure to grease all the nooks and crannies of the design thoroughly. In this case it is better to use too much than too little.
-Another option is to use a vegetable non-stick spray. These work very well.
-Do not grease or flour your cake pan if you are making an angel food cake or a sponge cake as this may prevent the cakes from rising. You can, if necessary line the bottom of the pan with parchment or wax paper.
Mixing the Batter:
-Have all your ingredients at room temperature.
-Measure all your ingredients out prior to assembling the batter.
-Turn on the oven and preheat while you prepare your mixture.
-If you are using an electrical beater to mix your ingredients, only beat the mixture until the ingredients are blended. Do no over beat.
-If you are mixing your batter by hand, keep in mind it will take a bit more time to get the ingredients thoroughly blended.
-When making a cake with butter be sure the butter is soft prior to blending with the sugar.
-If your recipe calls for several eggs add them one at a time and blend them into the batter before adding the next egg. This is especially true if you are mixing by hand.
-Each chocolate cake recipe asks for a different type of chocolate. There are so many dark chocolate bars available on the market today. Do not limit yourself to just baker's chocolate. Use your favorite dark chocolate. Just be sure it is as least 70% cocoa.
Filling the Cake Pan:
-Do not fill the cake pan more than ¾ full to allow for rising.
-If you are using a square pan be sure to spread the batter into the corners.
-If you wish to use a square, rectangular or irregularly shaped pan instead of the round pan the recipe calls for be sure you make enough batter. To calculate how much batter to make, simply fill your substitute pan 2/3rd full with water. Transfer the water to the pan the recipe uses to judge volume. Adjust the batter accordingly based on how full the recipe pan gets when the water is added. If the recipe pan is overflowing, cut back on the batter. If the recipe pan is not full enough make extra batter.
-If you use a pan other than the one the recipe calls for keep in mind cooking time will vary.
Baking Cakes:
-Always bake the cake in a preheated oven.
-Glass or dark colored pans will retain more heat. Cook for the same amount of time but reduce the heat temperature by 25 degrees F.
-Bake your cake on the center rack of the oven so heat can circulate.
-If you are baking multiple pans do not let them touch each other.
-If you are using more than one rack, stagger the cake pans so they are directly over or under each other.
-If you notice the cake is baking unevenly then turn it several times during the cooking process.
-Start testing you cake about 8 minutes before the cake should be done.
-To test if your cake is done, insert a small toothpick into the center of the cake as far as you can. It should come out clean.
-Another way to test if a cake is done is to lightly press the cake surface. The depression should spring back if the cake is cooked thoroughly.
-Also a cake that is done will pull away from the sides of the cake pan.
Cooling Cakes:
-Let cakes made with butter cool in their pans for about 5 minutes. Then turn out onto a cooling rack. If it should stick, try to loosen gently with a spatula.
-Angel food cakes, chiffon cakes and sponge cakes must be kept in their pans and inverted to cool. If the top of the pan does not have little feet for the pan to stand on when you invert it then tip the pan over a large bottle with the neck of the bottle going through the hole of the pan. When cool, loosen with a knife and turn out.
Frosting a Cake:
-If you are short of time and you are making a layer cake, use jelly between the layers. Or place slice fruit between the layers and dust with confectioner's sugar.
-Better to make too much frosting than not enough. Extra frosting will keep very well in the refrigerator.
-If your frosting was not made from scratch or was "not cooked" spread it on a cake while the cake is warm.
-If you just made your frosting, it is best to spread on the cake after it is completely cooled.
-If your frosting calls for beaten egg whites and the whites are not stiff enough just put it in the top of a double boiler and beat over the simmering water.
-If you cream frosting is too watery place it in the refrigerator for several minutes, beat over ice or add a little more butter to thicken.
-If, on the other hand, your frosting is too thick, add a few drops of hot milk or water.
-If your cake is lopsided feel free to re-shape it using a sharp knife.
-If you are making a 3-layer cake and the middle layer has a rounded top, slice off the raised portion
-To frost set the bottom layer on a plate covered with strips of wax paper to catch and frosting that may drip. Spread you icing on the top of this bottom layer and add the top cake layer over the spread icing.
-Cover the sides of the cake first with frosting using a spatula or frosting knife.
-Pile the rest of the frosting on the top middle of the cake and swirl out to the edges.
-Remove the strips of paper once the frosting sets.
-Decorate as desired.
I hope these tips helped you in your quest for the Ultimate Chocolate Cake. Just remember to take it one step at a time and your cake will be the envy of the neighborhood!
Maggie gives you easy to make dessert recipes for all occasions! From every day dessert to special holidays, Maggie has it all! Best of all, these are "yummy-tummy" tested and guaranteed to be a hit without giving you a nervous breakdown in the kitchen!
Check out her site at http://easytomakedessertrecipes.com/ for more easy to make dessert recipes. New recipes are added every day!