It was hands-on for her throughout the whole process with my intermittent prompting - from measuring to mixing, baking to icing and of course washing-up!
The result was not bad! I meant the taste, but her decorating skills need more polishing!
The Chocolate Cake
A
165g caster sugar
80ml corn oil
2 eggs
B
145g cake flour
2/3 teaspoon baking powder
1/3 teaspoon bicarbonate soda
1/3 cup cocoa powder
C
85g sour cream
165g buttermilk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1. Sift all ingredients in B together.
2. Beat ingredients in A together with a mixer at medium speed for 2 to 3 minutes.
3. Add ingredients C to A and continue to beat for 1 minute.
4. Add in flour and mix at low speed till incorporated and then beat on high for 3 minutes.
5. Bake in two 7-inch or 18-cm round tins, greased and lined at preheated oven 160 deg C for 20 to 25 minutes.
6. Remove from tin to cool.
Mocca Buttercream
250g butter, softened at room temperature
120g icing sugar, sifted
4 tablespoon iced water (I mixed 2 teaspoons nescafe with a little hot water and cooled it in the fridge. I added 1 tablespoon rum and enough iced water to the coffee to make up 4 tablespoons)
Cream butter and icing sugar till light and fluffy. Add 1 tablespoon iced water at a time and cream till well mixed.
The colour of the buttercream is beigey brown because of the coffee.
Ganache
230g bittersweet chocolate, break into pieces
250g heavy cream
60g butter
Microwave heavy cream or put cream in a saucepan and heat on low till almost boiling. Do not boil. Remove from heat and pour over chocolate. Let it stand for a while. Add butter and use a whisk and mix slowly to blend the cream and chocolate. Do not beat.
Put ganache aside to cool for pouring consistency.
To assemble cake
Trim off uneven surface of cake if any. Slice each cake into two. There are four layers now.
Spread enough cream on bottom layer and place the next layer on top and press slightly to adhere the cake layers. Repeat the cream layer and put the third layer and do the same.
Place the last or top layer and crumb coat.
Then pour the ganache all over the cake and let it flow down the sides.
Decorate with remaining buttercream.
The cake looks so pretty! And that ganache topping is so very smooth.
ReplyDeleteNot too bad for a first timer!!
ReplyDeleteShe's so lucky to have a baker mom as a guru.
Nice cake and very yummy with mocca cream and chocolate ganache. Is that slice for me? :)
ReplyDeleteJ, I will give her an A! Good attempt and looks yummy too.
ReplyDeleteHi Angie,
ReplyDeleteThanks. I kept 'nagging' at her not to beat the ganache so as not to create bubbles.
Hi Wendy,
Not easy to teach your own especially when they are older. But in the end she was pleased because her friend was in awe that she did it herself.
Hi DG,
I don't mind giving you a slice if you're nearby. :)
Hi Edith,
It's good and moist. The mocca cream wasn't that sweet. Will let her know you grade her an 'A'. She would be over the moon.
Impressive for 1st timer, great job done!
ReplyDeleteHi busygran,
ReplyDeleteIts a very good attempt considering she is doing a birthday cake for the 1st time, not easy. The layers are obvious and the ganache is smooth and shiny, good job! =]
the idea of the mocha buttercream sounds good and it doesnt use alot of icing sugar.
Bravo! Very good for a first timer!
ReplyDeleteFirst timer and a layered cake? Wow, impressive! Well done!
ReplyDeleteThe first attempt was very good indeed. She'd get more experience and skills later on.
ReplyDeletereally impressed with your girl's attempt. The cake looks rich and yummy. She has done a better job than I would have, lol
ReplyDeleteWow, she did a great job for her first attempt!
ReplyDeleteMaria
x
YOur cake looks great! I still can't get nice sides when I use ganache.
ReplyDelete