The Iconic Black Forest Gateau

Do you want to make someone special to really enjoy a delicious cake.A cake filled with whipped cream and luscious red cherries for that perfect celebration ?
Yesterday was my hubbys birthday and I made this cake for him.It was a moment to cherish ... here is a recipe that can make any girl win her man's heart ...
Ingredients for the cake

• 125 gms all purpose flour
• 150 gms powder sugar
• 6 eggs
• 3 tbsp cocoa powder
• 2 tbsp cornflour
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 pinch of salt

Baking
Preheat oven 190 C .Grease the baking pan, I used a 9 inch dia pan. Sieve the flour,cocoa powder, salt, baking powder and corn flour 3 times together.
Beat the eggs and sugar well with a beater approximately for 10 min or till it becomes fluffy. Add vanilla essence and beat for another minute.Now gently fold it with sifted flour and mix softly so that air does not escape. Now shift this batter to the baking pan.
Bake first ten minutes at 190 C and and reduce to 180 C.Bake for 30-35 minutes, check with a toothpick till its done. Once done let it sit for 5 min then remove the cake from the pan to a cooling rack to cool completely. Cut horizontaly into 2-3 layers.

For filling

• 1/2 tin canned cherries
• Juice of one lemon
• 1 tsp corn flour
• 600 ml whipped cream (I used 3 packs of Blue bird whipped cream)

Whisk the 3 packs of blue bird whipping cream with cold water as per instructions. Refrigerate it. Reserve half of the cherries for decoration and the remaining half can be finely chopped.
Mix 1 tsp of corn flour in 2 tbsp of cherry syrup and keep aside.Bring a  half cup of cherry syrup to boil and the above corn flour mix and boil till it thickens. Remove from the flame and add the add lime juice and keep aside to cool.

Assembly
Reserve half of the cream for icing the top, take the remaining half add the chopped cherries and mix nicely.
Place the bottom most layer of sponge cake on the serving plate, sprinkle 1/3 of prepared syrup and spread 1/3 of the cherry mixed whipped cream over it.Repeat the same with the remaining layers. Spread the remaining cream with the cherries on the top and sides.

Decoration

• 1/2 cup grated semisweet chocolate / dark chocolate
• reserved cherries

Sprinkle and pack the sides with the grated chocolate.Fill the whipped cream in a piping back with your choice of tip.And make small swirls on the edge with a 1/4 inch gap.Top it with cherries.Sprinkle the remaining grated chocolate on the center. Chill well before serving.Note: Adding corn flour to cake makes the cake texture lighter.
And the special midnight celebration when I wished him with the cake : )

Read more »

Divinely Soft and Nutty Pumpkin Loaf

The heavens opened up today, my heart missed a beat and I soared in spirit with every bite of this pumpkin loaf.It smells amazing and tastes so divine it has been one of my favorite baking surprises.This moist and cakelike loaf with its nutty,chocolaty texture and a flavorfull undertone of pumpkin can be a wonderfull treat for your family to savor anytime of the day. Here is a recipe to be in heavan !!
Ingredients

• 1.5 cup all purpose flour
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 cup red pumpkin puree
• 1/2 cup olive oil
• 1/4 cup water
• 2 eggs
• 1/2 tsp nutmeg powder
• 1/2 tsp cinnamon powder
• 1/2 cup chopped walnuts
• 1/4 cup chocolate chips
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 tsp salt

Procedure
Preheat the oven to 180 degree celcius.Grease the loaf pan and keep aside. Sieve the dry ingredients, all purpose flour, baking soda, salt, nutmeg powder and cinnamon powder together 3 times.
Beat egg and sugar together till it becomes foamy.Add olive oil,water and pumpkin puree and mix nicely.Combine with the above dry ingredients and mix nicely until all lumps dissappear. Add the nuts and chocochips and mix again.Pour the batter in a 9x5x3 inch loaf pan upto 3/4 level. Bake for 50 minutes and test with a toothpick in the very center of the loaf to come out clean.Let it cool on a cooling rack, slice and enjoy.

Read more »

Muffins De Chocolate

( Click image for enlarged view )

Last week my younger sister came to visit me, she is studying college and stays in hostel near chennai and she was missing a lot of good food and came with a big wishlist. She loves chocolate and I prepared these muffins for her. She was so delighted with these muffins and kept asking for more

Ingredients

• 1/4 cup chocolate chips
• 1/4 cup tutti frutti
• 1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1/2 cup all purpose flour
• 1/4 cup whole wheat flour(Atta)
• 1 egg
• 1/3 cup sugar
• 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 1/4 tsp baking soda
• 1 1/2 tbsp butter at room temp
• 1/8 cup any cooking oil
• 1/4 cup milk
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/2 tsp cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp lemon zest
• pinch of salt

Cooking Procedure:

Put the microwave in convection mode and preheat to 225 C

Take a large bowl sieve the whole wheat flour,all purpose flour, cocoa powder, baking power , baking soda , cinnamon and salt all together.

In another bowl beat the eggs and sugar for 3 min with a hand blender with medium speed till it become fluffy.Then add butter,cooking oil,milk,lemon zest and again blend till it all mix nicely.

Take the flour and slowly add to the above egg mixture and stir till it blends properly .This can done with hand blender or even with a spatula.

Now add all the tutti frutti and chocochips to the above mixture and stir softly with spatula.Take 12 muffin cups, spray some oil n pour 3/4 batter each cup.Top some chocochips n fruit bites to the prepared muffins.Then place this tray in the microwave and let it bake for 20 min.

You muffin is ready to be served after it cools

Read more »

Yummy Vanilla Cake With Microwave

I began my experiments with baking when I came to US last year, but after returning to India I was wondering how it would turn out if I use my microwave for baking. Today I made a simple vanilla cake and I was pleasantly surprised as it came out so well soft moist with a nice brown shade. So here is the recipe ...

Ingredients:

• 1 cup all purpose flour (maida)
• 3/4 cup powdered sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1/2 cup buttermilk
• 1/2 cup butter
• 1 tsp cinnamon powder
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 1/4 tsp baking soda
• 1 tbsp chopped almonds for garnishing
• pinch of salt
  

(Click image for enlarged view)

Cooking Procedure

Grease the 8x8 inch pan and sprinkle some flour and keep aside. ( This will ensure the cake does not stick to the pan as seen above )

Preheat the microwave in convection mode at 180 C

Seive the flour,cinnamon powder,salt, baking soda and baking powder atleast twice so that they mix properly.

Beat 2 cups with hand blender till it become fluffy, add buttermilk, vanilla extract, sugar and butter and beat again till it mix nicely.

Now mix the flour to above mixture and fold it smoothly with spatulla until it blends completely.

(Click image for enlarged view)

Now pour the mixture into the pan,sprinkle the almonds and bake for 35 min or till golden brown. Check with a toothpick.

Your vanilla cake is ready, let it rest for it to cool for serving

Note:

• The batter of the cake should be flowy.
• The original recipe demands 3 eggs but I was having only two so I used 1/2 cup buttermilk in place of egg.
• The time for baking varies from microwave to microwave. Adjust accordingly

Read more »

Chocolate Topped Coffee Cake

(Click image for enlarged view)

I bookmarked this delicious cake from the chef in you blog. It is a soft moist cake with a combination of chocolate topping and coffee flavor.I made it with a little variation instead of toffee I used chocolate for the topping. I am sure you will enjoy it.

Ingredients

• 1 cup all purpose flour
• 1/2 cup whole wheat flour
• 1/4 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 1/8 tsp salt
• 3 tbsp butter
• 3 tbsp oil
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 2 eggs (room temperature)
• 1/4 cup cold strong coffee
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup curd
• 3 oz milk chocolate
  

(Click image for enlarged view)

Baking Procedure

Preheat the oven at 325 F.

Mix the two flour,baking soda, baking powder and salt in a large bowl.

In another bowl beat the egg and sugar for 3 min till it becomes fluffy then add butter,oil,vanilla extract and blend nicely.Now add the coffee and whisk it nicely.

Then add 1/4 cup yogurt and 1/2 of the flour and mix it nicely and then again add the remaining 1/4 cup yogurt and the flour, beat it until the batter is smooth and creamy. Now spread the batter in a greased 9 inch round pan.

Bake it in oven for 40 to 50 min depend upon oven.Till it becomes golden brown. Meanwhile while it bakes chop the chocolate in small pieces and keep it ready.

Once the cake is done remove the cake from the pan on a cooling rack, sprinkle the chocolate and let it cool. After it completely cools enjoy ur cake.

Note:

1. The chocolate will melt very fast if its too hot, so let it be warm when u sprinkle the chocolate.
   
2. In place of 2 eggs u can also use 4 egg whites.

I am sending this cake to

T&T -Chef in you guest hosted by Priya, event by Lakshmi.

Champa's Bake off event

Dish Name Start With - C ,Event by Akhila

Bookmarked Recipe Every Tuesday hosted by Priya n Aipi

________________________________________________________________________________

Tags: Cake, Coffee Cake, Chocolate Coffee Cake

Read more »

Rich Chocolate Almond Tea Cake

( Click image for enlarged view )

I wanted to prepare chocolate truffles but the chocolate seemed to be too rich with cocoa flavor with a mild bitter taste which didnt suit us so I modified it to make a rich chocolate cake.It came out very well and it is also my first chocolate cake !!

I was pleasantly surprised I didnt have to throw it away n could make another dish that balanced the bitterness of cocoa powder n its tasty too for chocolate lovers like my hubby.

Ingredients:

• 5 oz unsweetened chocolate bar (Bakers Brand)
• 1/2 cup grounded almond
• 1/2 cup all purpose flour
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1/4 cup oil
• 2 tbsp butter
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 tsp almond extract
• 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 1/4 tsp baking soda
• 1/4 cup finely chopped almonds (optional)

( Click image for enlarged view )

Baking procedure

Preheat oven 350 F.

Break the chocolate into pieces n melt it with almond n vanilla extract in a bowl set over sauce pan of hot water. Stir until well blended. Now add butter to it n stir till it melts.

Mix all purpose flour with baking powder, baking soda n grounded almonds nicely.

In another bowl beat the eggs and sugar for 3 min with a hand blender with medium speed till it become fluffy.Then add oil,milk and again blend till it all mix nicely.Then chocolate sauce to it n stir with spatula.

Take the flour and slowly add to the above mixture and stir till it blends properly .This can done with hand blender or even with a spatula.

Pour it into a well graeased 9x5 inch loaf pan n bake for 30 min. check with a toothpick if it doesnt stick its ready.

( Click image for enlarged view )

Serve with a cup of coffee or tea.

I am sending this chocolate almond tea cake to

Champa's Bake off event

Chocolate Dreams hosted by Shabitha

EFM - Bakes and Cakes Series hosted by Srilekha

________________________________________________________

Tags: Chocolate cake, cake, tea

Read more »

Exotic Champagne Grape Muffins

( Click image for enlarged view )

Recently while I was doing my grocery shopping I bought these grapes. Champagne grapes have an incredibly sweet taste, and burst with flavor.Yesterday I was craving for something sweet n suddenly realized I could use these grapes for muffins as they are small in size and got a unique taste.This is my first muffin too!!

Preparation Time: 20 min

Baking Time: 30 min

Makes : 9 muffins

Ingredients

• 1 cup champagne grapes + some for garnishing
• 1/2 cup all purpose flour
• 1/4 cup whole wheat flour(Atta)
• 1 eggs
• 1/3 cup sugar
• 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 1/4 tsp baking soda
• 1 1/2 tbsp butter at room temp
• 1/8 cup canola oil
• 1/4 cup milk
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/2 tsp cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp lemon zest
• pinch of salt

( Click image for enlarged view )

Cooking Procedure:

Wash the grapes n pat it dry n keep aside. Preheat the oven at 350 F

Take a large bowl sieve the whole wheat flour,all purpose flour, baking power , baking soda , cinnamon and salt all together.

In another bowl beat the eggs and sugar for 3 min with a hand blender with medium speed till it become fluffy.Then add butter,canola oil,milk,lemon zest and again blend till it all mix nicely.

Take the flour and slowly add to the above egg mixture and stir till it blends properly .This can done with hand blender or even with a spatula.

Now add all the grapes to the above mixture and stir softly with spatula.Take nine muffin cups, spray some oil n pour 3/4 batter each cup.Then place this tray in the middle rack of the oven and let it bake for 30 min.

( Click image for enlarged view )

After 20 minutes pull out the tray and arrange one grapes on each muffin n bake for another 10 min.You muffin is ready to be served after it cools.

I am sending this champagne grape muffin to

Champa's Bake off event

Hearth 'n Soul

EFM - Bakes and Cakes Series hosted by Srilekha

__________________________________________________________________

Tags: Champagne Grape, Muffins, Exotic Champagne Grape Muffins, Baking

Read more »

Cheesecake Truffles

(Click image for enlarged view)

Cheesecake is one of my favorite desserts after coming to US.And before I go back to India I wanted to experiment as much as possible with baking. I got this recipe from Nags Edible Garden....the moment I saw the post I fell in love with truffles and seemed quite easy to prepare. Last weekend I bought all the ingredients needed to make cheesecake truffles and prepared it yesterday. They came out so well . I must give a BIG HUG to Nag for pulling out this recipe out of her cookbook.They tasted exactly as she described. Yumville !! You will find the original recipe here. I used the same measurements and technique.

Ingredients:

For Cheesecake

• 250gm cream cheese at room temperature
• 1/2 cup sugar ( or little less as per ur taste)
• 2 eggs
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/3 cup whipping cream
• pinch of salt

For Dipping Chocolate

• 8 ounces of semi sweet melted (I used Bakers semi sweet chocolate bar)

(Click image for enlarged view)

Cooking Procedure

Pre-heat oven to 350F. Line a brownie pan with parchment paper and set aside.

Beat together all the above ingredients for cheesecake.

Bake for about 30 mins until the cake is spongy and it should not dry up it should be lightly moist.Color should not change.Keep aside to cool.

Cut different shapes with cookie cutter.In the meantime melt the chocolate as per instructions on package and keep aside to cool.

Dip the cheesecake pieces into the melted chocolate and transfer to a plate lined with parchment paper.( Used a spoon to scoop the cheesecake out from the chocolate dip )

Freeze it for 2-3 hours and your truffles are ready !!

I want to thank Kiran of Sumadhura for a sweet thank you note for participation, who posted her Cooking With Whole Foods: Barley roundup. It is a fantastic roundup n never doubt what can be prepared with barley.....Thank you Kiran

And a paticipation certificate from Nivedita for the Event CELEBRATE SWEETS~HALWA which had a roundup on August 1st.It has a superb collection of Halwas which can be very useful for festival time... Thank you Nivedita.

Read more »