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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

I’ve finally learnt how to make a proper chocolate cake

69 replies

Newsername · 13/01/2019 16:58

I’ve also now used the same recipe for cupcakes and omg. With chocolate buttercream icing it’s completely amazing. It took 10 years but I now know.

Just wanted to share whilst I drink my tea and eat my cake! (Kids added the sprinkles!)

I’ve finally learnt how to make a proper chocolate cake
OP posts:
LoniceraJaponica · 13/01/2019 18:50

"Crikey ladies taking me a bit too seriously, didn't realise what a hot topic it was"

I see you as a challenge UserMe18 Grin

mrsstewpot · 13/01/2019 18:52

Looks really similar to a recipe on the BBC food site that I use... www.bbc.com/food/recipes/easy_chocolate_cake_31070
Will need to try yours!

Raera · 13/01/2019 18:56

Betty Crocker anyone else admit to it?

Magicstar1 · 13/01/2019 18:56

I’ve been using that recipe for years and it’s awesome. I’ve had so many orders for it in cake and cupcakes...it works perfectly gluten free too.

sparklefarts · 13/01/2019 18:58

I have used this recipe before OP and I will back you up saying it's the best chocolate cake ever

Ihuntmonsters · 13/01/2019 18:58

I live in North America and much prefer cakes made with butter than with oil. For the coffee taste you can use instant coffee granules or sub some of the milk for strongly made coffee.

reallybadidea · 13/01/2019 18:59

It's essentially a devil's food cake recipe - they do make the best chocolate cakes IMHO. Extremely sweet though so we tend to do a very dark chocolate ganache for adult cakes. Once did a salted caramel buttercream icing for a kid's party and it was amazing but I thought my teeth were going to drop out of my head Grin

Isthisit01 · 13/01/2019 19:04

That's the same recipes I use for all my chocolate cakes. Litrially just made a birthday cake with this two days ago.

It's brilliant, the buttercream makes it lovley and moist.

Librarybooksandacoconut · 13/01/2019 19:08

I also use nigella’s old fashioned chocolate cake as my go-to birthday cake. Haven’t found anything to beat it yet.

Cherries101 · 13/01/2019 19:13

Cakes with veg oil are disgusting. I’ll go to Mary Berry thanks.

LordProfFekkoThePenguinPhD · 13/01/2019 19:18

Oh no chocolate cake with veg oil comes out very soft and fluffy. Mmmmm. I hate eggy cakes though.

Halfeatentoast · 13/01/2019 19:19

Oh no NOW I'm gonna have to try each of those recipes to decide for myself which is the best. Ho hum.

LordProfFekkoThePenguinPhD · 13/01/2019 19:19

It’s a tough job but someone’s got to do it...

Original poster
Newsername · 13/01/2019 22:52

I’m in the UK but I’ve never found a chocolate cake to work for me. I actually prefer American cups measurements to g and oz. I even make wicked doughnuts using American recipes. I have this cup that I got with a bread maker and it’s my trusty cup measurement tool!

The cake is so moist and bouncy. It’s been kept in a box since friday and still moist and edible. I just used coffee granules mushed up for the espresso powder.

It’s really not complicated at all! I just bung all the dry ingredients in, mix with a spoon, then add the wet ingredients and use a hand whisk to mush it all up to a watery mixture. Then I transfer into a measuring jug and pour equally into cupcakes or half and half in cake tins. I don’t see how butter would work for a chocolate cake, and maybe that’s where I’ve been going wrong.

OP posts:
LoniceraJaponica · 13/01/2019 23:11

And I prefer weighing my cake ingredients as it is more accurate and less messy.

I challenge you to try the Mary Berry recipe I linked to earlier, and I will have a go at making your cake after veganuary is out of the way Newsername.

Cherries101 · 14/01/2019 09:43

Cakes with butter can come out soft and fluffy too, you just need to practice. Using softened butter and then whipping it hard with sugar ( until your arm feels like it will break off!) produces amazing professional quality results. The taste is also amazing. Too many people don’t bother learning how to work with butter which is a shame in itself.

Cherries101 · 14/01/2019 09:44

I agree need to weigh everything including eggs to produce great results. Baking recipes work best to exact ratios, and with cups you just can’t get that level of accuracy. Especially with dry ingrediants.

Original poster
Newsername · 14/01/2019 10:04

I do make butter cakes but only plain ones. I just couldn’t get it right for chocolate cake for some reason and this is the first time it’s worked. My method for butter cakes is to weigh the eggs first and then add the same amount of everything, all in one. Maybe I’ll try whisking the sugar and butter first next time.

Lonicera I’m happy to accept your challenge! It’ll probably be on the weekend so let’s see what happens!

OP posts:
LoniceraJaponica · 14/01/2019 11:28

Whispers - I use tub Stork for baking. My sponge cakes are always moist and light.

pandarific · 14/01/2019 11:35

This chocolate stout (as in the beer) cake is GLORIOUS - i was told it was the best they'd ever had.preens

https://www.deliaonline.com/recipes/occasions/easter/easter-chocolate-recipes/chocolate-beer-cake

Unbelievable18 · 14/01/2019 11:41

I can never make a good chocolate cake. For some reason it tastes overwhelmingly of baking powder. I use butter always, hate the taste of Stork.

LoniceraJaponica · 14/01/2019 11:42

I can't taste Stork in baking, especially in cakes that have a flavouring - chocolate, lemon, coffee. Even in Victoria sandwich cakes I add vanilla extract to the sponge mix.

LoniceraJaponica · 14/01/2019 11:44

I forgot to add, that I did a blind taste test on my family with some plain fairy cakes - half baked with butter, and half baked with Stork. The butter ones were browner, and the Stork ones were favoured over the butter ones.

Madfin2 · 14/01/2019 12:10

Yes I've made that one several times, it's the best I've ever made.

Iliketosmile · 14/01/2019 12:34

Mary Berry's death by chocolate cake is the only one accepted in this house. Every. Single. Birthday. Icing made from 400g chocolate and 200g butter. Cake made with veg oil. It is pretty special.