I have a secret and I’m pretty sure I’m not the only one who keeps this quiet. I love baking, but, most of the time it never turns out quite how I envisaged it would. Getting all of a huff in the kitchen when the butter is still too cold, spilling the ingredients even when I’m being extra careful and being super paranoid checking the oven temperature is an awful lot of hard work for something that turns out too flat, not quite right or sinks in the middle. Cakes, I’m looking at you. Frankly, I’ve had enough of aiming for perfection and frowning at anything that dares to come out of the oven less than 100% correct, and if it tastes good who cares if it looks a bit skewiff? Enter my Perfectly Imperfect Chocolate Cake.
You will need (for the cake):
- 110g plain flour
- 40g cocoa powder
- 125g caster sugar
- 125g butter
- 2 eggs
- Drop vanilla extract
For the icing:
- 200g caramel chocolate bars
- 75ml double cream
Start by creaming the butter, sugar and vanilla extract together until light and creamy. This always takes much longer than I think it will.
Add the eggs, one at a time and mix until fully incorporated. If it curdles, add a bit of flour and it should all be ok.
Sift the flour and cocoa together into the sugar mix and fold the flour through.
Divide between two greased 18cm cake tins, smooth over and bake at 160C for 20-25 minutes or until cooked. I normally poke the top of the cake and check it springs back before I take it out of the oven.
Remove from the tin and leave to cool on a wire rack.
To make the icing, put a bowl over a pan of simmering water. Break up the caramel chocolate and add it to the bowl. Let it melt slowly. It will look a bit grainy and thick when it’s all melted so at this point, add the cream and mix all together really well until smooth.
Use the icing to sandwich the two cakes together then use the rest to spread over the top and outside edges.
I like an honest, slightly wonky, not polished cake; it’s more inviting, more tempting to cut in to. The whole point of this cake is that it is simple to make but tastes fantastic. No, it’s not the tallest cake in the world or the widest, or the one with the most layers but wait till you get a taste of that icing. This is the cake you bake when you want to don your apron and scratch that baking itch but it’s not about looks it’s all about taste; it’s perfectly imperfect.
The true test of a cake is surely to eat it with your eyes shut – then you can appreciate the taste and texture without worrying about the looks!
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This looks amazing! I want to make it!
Melanie @ meandmr.com
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This looks amazing! I really want to make it!
Melanie @ meandmr.com
I entirely agree with you! My cakes are never perfect either but who cares.. as long as they taste OK and homemade always tastes better anyway.
I love the simplicity of your chocolate cake, easy and delicious. xx
It looks like a delicious homemade cake to me! As long as it tastes good, it really doesn’t matter to me what it looks like. Perfect appearance does not always equal tastiness! 🙂
It looks so FRENCH and beautiful!
Hi Caroline, Just made this but it’s very flat. Is there really no raising agent? It could be me! Hilary
Hi Hilary, no there is no raising agent, it’s all about beating the butter and sugar for long enough (in my experience), my two cakes were quite flat, less than an inch high each I’d say!
My family keeps telling me they don’t care what a dessert looks like as long as it tastes good. I have a feeling they’d love your layer cake—and that glossy icing is beautiful!!!
Your cake looks absolutely delicious, I need to try it 😀
Chocolatey goodness at its best!
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
Your cake looks really good! I love baking too but I can’t frost a cupcake with a tip for my life. So for now I’ll stick with my handy spoon.lol
It looks perfect to me!
This is my perfect cake it looks wonderfully yummy and who doesn’t love chocolate Lucy x
I am laughing here. Sound familiar with this not so good person with baking. But like said, who cares. The cake is nice and again I don’t really care about perfectness.
Baking can be tricky sometimes. I think your cake looks and sounds tasty!
I know all about that spilling ingredients thing! Flour gets everywhere, doesn’t it? Lovely cake — looks perfect to me! Thanks.
That looks gorgeous, just delicious and would be perfect for me! Who wants a cake that looks like it came from a shop anyway (perfect cakes can look a bit suspicious…!)