Chocolate cake tips and recipes please! (merged)

rosie383

Thanks Ragz. Good have a recipe that you have tried so you know it works. I didn't think about the filling and weight of the layers, so amybe a ganache would be the way to go and then just pipe the cream on top and sides and decorate with strawbs.

As for the tin, I don't have a rectangular cake tin, so I was thinking of doing and extra one, cut in half that I could stick on the end of the square one to make a rectangular one. Or, I maybe could leave it the way it is. May be big enough if it has 3 layers.

rosie383

Waow!!!!! That is a recipe for a huge cake!!! Think as it's so rich, I will work out the quantities for my square tin, make it and fill with the ganache and then decorate. It looks gorgeous. Will definitely have to make a wee one to try at home, just to be sure you understand, not cos I want to eat it or anything.............

imogen-p

Can't help on the cake recipe, but I've made cakes/brownies/flapjacks in my stoneware lasagne dish before and they've turned out okay. I put a piece of greaseproof paper/baking parchment in the bottom of it as it makes it a lot easier to turn out once it's cooked.

I've found it needs a little bit longer than the same amount of mix in a cake tin, I think the stoneware takes longer to heat up, but an extra 5-10 minutes or so seems to work.

Tis

Delia does a chocolate beer cake that is divine. Delia uses Guinness but Murphy's or similar is also good.

I normally use metal tins as they conduct heat better. How about using a loaf tin if you have one ?
You should be able to do a google search to work out timings when you change tin shapes. I have a record of roun to square but not to rectangular - sorry.

pookiewn

This is a lurv-ley chocolate cake, I've made it loads of times, and it serves loads of people. Everyone has always loved it and it's really easy to make! Not very mse as it's got loads of dark chocolate, but worth it!
http://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/4689/chocolate-cake

rosie383

Imogen thank you for the tip on the lasagna dish. I use mine for brownies too, and wondered why it always took longer. DUH!

Tis Thanks for the suggestion, but can't do beer as they are very strictly t-total.

Pookie Just wrote that recipe down, and it seems perfect. The earlier one would be wonderful for a wedding, but I think this is just for a teenager's party, so too expensive I think. Your recipe is much cheaper to make and still looks lovely and rich and moist. Can't wait to try it out!! And I think it is exactly the right size for my tin too!

pookiewn

It's wonderful! Very yummy, you might just want to make two, just for tasters, lol! I last made it for a family party, the 2 year old enjoyed it as much as the 94 year old did I think we've managed about twelve slices out of it with some left over too. Hope it goes well x

rosie383

Thank you. I am definitely going to try it out on the family first.
Do you just fill it with the icing? Would it be too heavy for strawbs and cream in between layers?

If so, would it look silly if I just ice it, then pipe cream on top and round the sides maybe, then add fruit?

ragz_2

Oooh Pookie that one looks fab. I've added it to my binder for future use. Rosie, I'd go with that one, especially as quantities are closer to what you need. You could fillit with cream and strawberries but I would go for the buttercream as strawbs are not really in season now and also it's still quite a heavy cake, you may find the cream would all squish out when you cut it.

rosie383

I'm going to. Mind you, I have the recipe you recommended in case I ever have to make something very posh and calorific!!!