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I need to make a fabulous chocolate birthday cake for my amazing sister!

18 replies

Sycamoretree · 14/10/2008 11:46

My adorable sister is a whizz at cake making. She should be professional. She has made all my DC's birthday cakes which everyone swoons at. She makes cup cakes to rival the magnolia bakery.

It's her birthday soon and I am resolved to make her a cake deserving of her. She'll of course like it no matter what, because she's very sweet. However, I would like it to be super yummy. And I want to be able to decorate it simply but effectively.

I'm no slouch in the kitchen, I can bake ok with a decent recipie. What gems can you share with me? Any suggestions for simple but effective decoration? That's the part I'm not so hot at. I'm not very arty and don't have a particularly steady hand.

I have quite a few recipie books along the Nigel, Nigella lines, but have not really tried out an effective birthday cake type of cake yet.

Oh, and kids will also be eating it.

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bellavita · 14/10/2008 11:49

how about this

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Pruners · 14/10/2008 11:54

Message withdrawn

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Sycamoretree · 14/10/2008 11:57

Oh, bellavita, that looks great!

I've tried that chocolate nemesis (actually at the River Cafe, get me, SWANK!) but I think it will be a bit too rich for the mix of peeps at the party. I agree, it's insanely good though!

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MissisBoot · 14/10/2008 12:01

nigella's old fashioned chocolate cake is brilliant - its in her feast book.

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bellavita · 14/10/2008 12:02

There is a Gordon Ramsey recipe somewhere for a fab chocolate cake (which I have made and it turned out lovely).

Give me a little bit of time and I will look for it.

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bellavita · 14/10/2008 12:10

here we go

I used the same filling as the recipe, but found it a little sour, would use chantilly cream next time.

Very nice cake.

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Sycamoretree · 14/10/2008 14:36

You are all most kind.

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WhirlingStirling · 14/10/2008 20:07

I have made the Gordon Ramsey one too and it is lovely - very moist!

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Sycamoretree · 15/10/2008 13:16

Do you guys think I could double up the gordon cake so it's a bit more impressive/taller/birthday cakeish? Or is it a bit too moist and delicate for that?

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bellavita · 15/10/2008 14:56

What I would suggest is (because trying to cut it all the way through evenly is quite a faff as the sponge is very delicate) is double up on quantity, but divide the mixture between two tins then all you have to do is fill and pop one on top of the other.

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Sycamoretree · 16/10/2008 10:28

Bellavita, you are my baking guru. Fingers crossed for my Saturday bake off!

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bellavita · 16/10/2008 16:01
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Sycamoretree · 16/10/2008 17:36

Nah, got ye olde maison blanc down the road if all else fails! I'll just rough it up a bit and take off their poncy white chocolate "label"

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CountessDracula · 16/10/2008 17:39

pruners I nearly died once after eating one slice of chocolate nemesis

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bellavita · 16/10/2008 17:57

I would defo use chantilly cream though to fill it rather than what Gordon Ramsey used.

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Sycamoretree · 18/10/2008 20:00

mmmm, Gordon's cake is in the oven now.

Smells great.

DD has licked the bowl clean and given it the thumbs up.

I will attempt swanky decoration tomorrow morning and will be going for the chantilly cream as you suggested Bellavita.

I hope it keeps ok until tomorrow. Have a nice airtight cake tupperware for it. Sis et al arriving tomorrow morning so didn't have much choice other than to bake it tonight.

I'm very pleased with my efforts so far.

Now to the bunting...

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Sycamoretree · 19/10/2008 22:26

Cake was a huge success. Thanks!

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bellavita · 19/10/2008 22:29

Was thinking about you today, did not see last nights post.

Glad it went well.

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