visit-terengganu2u

visit-terengganu2u

My Love Affair With Chocolate Cakes

I have this undying love affair with chocolate ever since I could remember and one of my favourite chocolate-made food has to be the good old chocolate cake. Now, even if I love chocolate cakes, does not mean I will eat any such cake that is placed before me. No, no. I must only eat the best of the best ever chocolate cake or else, I will not eat it at all.

This is because I have come across many a different types of cakes made from chocolate and cocoa and some are downright horrible tasting concoctions not worth the stomach space I wasted consuming them. No, even as crazy I am over chocolate and a die-hard chocoholic, I have my standards. No lousy cake will pass my lips. Especially when its main ingredients contain chocolate. Can you even imagine eating some tasteless cake impersonating as a chocolate cake?

I consider it an affront. An insult to the absolutely richness of chocolate cakes. Seriously, people who make louse cakes should be banned from going near any oven at all. I mean, we are talking about chocolate cakes here, you know. So, due to my love for this absolutely sinful, yet worth every bite, chocolate dessert, I started a journey to search for as many chocolate cake recipes as I could possibly find.

Then, I will try each and every single recipe until I come across one that is able to produce the perfect and best ever chocolate cake in the whole wide world. At least to me. After all, how the cake tastes only mattered to me since I will be the one eating it all! Bwahahahahah...the cake is mine. ALL mine!  But of course, if it is simply horrible, then I don't mind sharing a bit of it with others.

Chocolate cake recipes are pretty easy to find online nowadays. Gone are the historic days when we need to ask around our relatives, mother, grandmother, aunts, etc, etc, just to get a simple cake recipe made from chocolate. I mean can you imagine scribbling it all down on a piece of paper and then losing the paper? It would have been darn inconvenient and a total waste of time. Yep, the online way of finding recipes is really great. You can copy and paste the recipes and save it for later. Some of these instructions even come with step-by-step photo-instructions to guide readers along.

 

 

Ten Ways to Make a Chocolate Cake With a Boxed Mix

We make cakes from scratch. We also use a boxed mix as our base and then add to it when making a cake.
I'd like to share several ideas for using a boxed mix as your base:
1. Make the cake according to package directions but add in either chocolate chips or mini M&M's. Use between one and two cups of chips or morsels. Mix in at the end and then bake as directed.
2. Make one white cake and one chocolate cake. Make one cake a swirl cake. Pour the white cake batter into the baking dish. Now create several lines of chocolate batter. Use a butter knife and swirl in the white cake mix. When done, cook the remaining chocolate cake and you've now got one swirl cake and one chocolate cake.
3. We happen to like mayonnaise in our house. Start with a box of chocolate cake mix. Add in one cup of mayonnaise, one cup of water and three eggs. Mix it together and then bake at 350 degree for about 30 minutes.
4. Start with your box of chocolate cake mix. Add in two eggs, one box of instant chocolate pudding and 1 ¾ cup milk. We use non fat milk. If you use 2% or whole milk, your cake will be a bit creamier. If you want to stir in chocolate chips, add them at the end. Bake about 45 minutes at 350 degrees.
5. Instead of the liquid called for on the box, use chocolate milk. It adds to the chocolate flavor of the cake.
6. Add frozen fruit to your box mix. These have to be lightly mixed in at the end. Frozen raspberries are wonderful in chocolate cake. You'll have to cook the cake a bit longer than the package directions on this one. Test it with a toothpick in the middle.
7. Make a layer cake and use marshmallow cream in the center. Kids love this gooey center.
8. If you enjoy the taste of coffee, add in coffee flavored liqueur. Add in about ½ cup. This should replace some of the liquid called for on the box.
9. We really like Heath bars. Break up Heath bars and add them to your cake mix. You end up with a toffee taste in your chocolate cake.
10. Do you like Black Forest Cake? Use one box of cake mix, ¼ cup oil, 2 eggs and ½ cup water. Mix it all together and pour into pan. Then pour one, 21 ounce can of cherry pie filling over the top and bake about 45 minutes at 350 degrees.
These are ten ideas to use a cake mix that can often be bought for around a dollar. Try experimenting with other ingredients you already have in the house. These are all fun ways to spice up an ordinary chocolate cake mix.

Audrey's mom always entertained when she was growing up. Audrey learned to prepare for large groups and has often entertained 15-30 people in her home at a time. You can find more great recipes at http://www.recipe-barn.com

Make A Chocolate Cake In Minutes

One of the most classic desserts that is acceptable in almost every situation is the eternal chocolate cake. It's simple and extremely popular - in fact, almost everybody has, once in his/her life, tasted a piece of it. Who wouldn't want a taste of scrumptious, heavenly chocolate? Research has said that eating chocolate is linked to the brain releasing happy neurotransmitters, therefore increasing the elated feeling we get when eating chocolate. Making a cake nowadays isn't limited to the rich and resourceful anymore - with the chocolate cake's high flexibility, it only takes a minimum amount of time and ingredients with a dash of imagination.
Chocolate have been around for about two hundred and fifty years, with Dr. James Baker's discovery - grinding cocoa beans to create chocolate. But chocolate cakes were not made commercial until the 1930s; up until then, all chocolate recipes were for chocolate drinks only. Since then, there's been a vast array of choices for different kinds of chocolate cakes, some of which are Devil's food cake, Black Forest, Chocolate Souffle, Garasch, Sachertorte and the traditional layered chocolate cake. You can also opt to add infused chocolates and exotic flavors into your mix, such as wine, fruits, nuts, even red pepper! Cake-making with chocolate has become a lucrative experimental business in itself.
You might think baking cakes is a thing reserved only for licensed and experienced patisseries, but with the following simple steps, you might find yourself enjoying a hearty chocolate cake dessert with your family. The ingredients are simple, although of course using high quality ingredients is necessary for better cakes, it's not always the best choice regarding the money you might spend. The ingredients for our simple chocolate cake include: 1/2 cup self-raising flour; 1/2 cup fine sugar; 2 Tbsp cocoa; a pinch of salt; 1/4 cup melted butter; 1/2 cup milk; an egg and a little dash of vanilla. These ingredients you can easily find in almost every supermarket, so collecting them will not be a problem. Looking for reasonably-priced but good quality ingredients is a challenge to all starting bakers.
Preheat the oven to 350ï‚° F, grease and flour the pan, preferably a 7 inch cake pan. After doing so, mix the above ingredients in the said order. Beat the mixture well for at least two minutes and pour the finished mix into the greased pan. Set the baking time from 35 to 40 minutes, after which, test the cake with a toothpick to see if it's already well done. If the toothpick comes out clean, then your cake is good and raring to go!
Decorating the cake from here on would be up to your imagination. Fancy a chocolate cake with chocolate icing or a contrasting flavor? Or you can bake some more cakes like this and stack them together for a layered chocolate cake. Try adding fruits on your decoration line up - strawberries or mangoes plus some whipped cream on top. More importantly, gifting your loved ones with a cake you made yourself sends out the message of love.

 

 

Why Do People Love Chocolate Cake?

Do 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.

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

I'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.

 

 

Tips On Making The Ultimate Chocolate Cake

Baking 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!