chocolate cake recipe

[sweets101]

Hi! I'm looking for a chocolate cake recipe that will knock my socks off! I've never had a bride request a chocolate wedding cake before, so this will be a first for me. The recipe will need to produce a decadently rich, moist, melt-in-your mouth cake that can be adapted to feed approx. 275 people. This should prove to be a fun and caloric week for me as I test different recipes to choose the perfect cake for this glorious day! Any and all chocolate cake recipes will be appreciated.

Thanks!

Sweets

[Chicksta]

Rich Chocolate Cake

Ingredients (serves 12)

• 200g good-quality dark chocolate, chopped
• 200g butter, softened
• 1 cup dark brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 3 eggs, at room temperature
• 1 1/2 cups self-raising flour
• 2 tablespoons cocoa powder
• 1/2 cup milk
• chocolate curls or shavings (optional), to serve (see note)
• Chocolate icing
• 200g good-quality dark chocolate, chopped
• 1/2 cup thickened cream

Method

1. Make chocolate icing: Combine chocolate and cream in a heatproof, microwave-safe bowl. Microwave, uncovered, on MEDIUM-HIGH (70%) for 1 to 2 minutes, stirring every minute with a metal spoon, until almost melted. Stir until smooth. Set aside for 30 minutes or until thick enough to spread.
2. Preheat oven to 170°C. Grease and line base and side of a 6cm deep, 22cm (base) round cake pan.
3. Place chocolate in a heatproof, microwave-safe bowl. Microwave, uncovered, on MEDIUM (50%) for 1 to 2 minutes, stirring every minute with a metal spoon, until almost melted. Stir until smooth. Set aside for 10 minutes to cool.
4. Using an electric mixer, cream butter, sugar and vanilla until light and fluffy. Add eggs, 1 at a time, beating after each addition. Add melted chocolate. Beat until well combined. Sift flour and cocoa together. Fold half the flour mixture into butter mixture. Add half the milk. Stir gently to combine. Repeat with remaining flour mixture and milk. Spoon into prepared pan. Smooth surface. Bake for 50 to 60 minutes or until a skewer inserted into the centre comes out clean.
5. Stand cake in pan for 15 minutes. Turn out onto a wire rack to cool completely. Spread icing over top and side. Top with chocolate curls, if using. Serve.

Notes & tips

• To make chocolate curls, run a clean potato peeler down the side of a block of chocolate, allowing curls to fall onto a plate.

[MentalMaladies]

Oh man. Chocolate cake... ooooooh. Such a weakness. It's a good thing I can't just go out and buy any gluten-y cake otherwise I'd be the size of a freakin' house.

I never thought of the chocolate flake idea! I'm so having that on a cake for mah B-day!

Nice tip! ;D