Death by chocolate cake

This cake attracts me cos the preparation does not require mixer.
Wet ingredient into dry ingredient. This is how it suppose to look.
 Picture in the book
I only did half a recipe since I hv a small family.
As usual I ignore the icing since its quite fattening already.

The cake rose beautifully( there is a final height of abt 4cm) in the
oven, and collapse a little when cooled, so I think that explains the 
small layer of darker coloured cake beneath the crust. Since the
 recipe say "beat well..." I really use all my might to whisk the
 final batter with chopstick, and I guess that explains the many 
holes. Infact, before I even place the cake into the oven, I already
see alot of air bubbles in the batter.

The cake is very soft inside. Taste is just right, not too sweet (I
reduce the sugar). However, I think the texture somehow
resembles a little to the huat kueh. Hubby also feels the same,
Anyway, we both find the cake nice. Though I did not
do up the icing, but I strongly believe that the cake will taste
much much better with the icing.

 

Here's the recipe, taken from "Simple Cakes" by Mary Berry.


Death by chocolate cake
Preparation time : 40 minutes
cooking time : 35 minutes
tins needed : 2 loose bottomed 20cm (8in) sandwich tins,
                        4cm (1 1/2 in) deep

Ingredients :
275g (10oz) plain flour
3 tablespoons cocoa powder
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1 1/2 teaspoons bicarbonate of soda
215g (7 1/2 oz) caster sugar
3 tablespoons golden syrup
3 eggs, beaten
225ml (8fl oz) sunflower oil
225 ml (8 fl oz) milk

For the icing :
450g (1 lb) plain chocolate, broken into pieces
200g (7 oz) unsalted butter

For the chocolate waves :
about 50g (2 oz) each white and plain chocolate

Method:
1. Lightly grease the tins and line the bases with non stick baking
    parchment.  Pre heat the oven to 160C/325F/Gas Mark3.
    Sift the flour, cocoa powder, bicarbonate of soda and baking
    powder into a large bowl. Add the sugar and mix well.

2. Make a well in the centre of the dry ingredients and add the
    golden syrup, eggs, oil and milk. Beat well, using a wooden
    spoon, until smooth and then pour into the prepared tins.

3. Bake for about 35 minutes, until the cakes are well risen and
    spring back when pressed lightly with the fingertips. Turn out
    on to a wire rack, remove the lining paper and leave to cool
    completely. Cut each cake in half horizontally.

4. For the icing, put the chocolate into a bowl placed over a pan of
    hot water. The water in the pan must not touch the bowl or the
    chocolate may overheat. Place the pan over a low heat until the
    chocolate has melted, stirring occasionally, then add the butter
    and stir until the butter has melted.

5. Put half the cake for the bottom layer on a wire rake and place
    a baking tray underneath to catch the drips. Spoon a little of
    the icing on to the cakes, spreading it evenly to the sides.
    Repeat with the remaining cake layers, then pour the
    remaining icing over the top of the cake and use a small palette
    knife to smooth it evenly over the top and sides of the cake.
    Leave to set.

6. For the chocolate waves, melt the white and dark chocolate in
    separate small bowls over a pan of hot water. Spread the
    chocolate on to a strips of foil about 4cm (1 1/2in) wide and
    35cm (14 in) long. Lay the stips carefully over 2 mugs or tins,
    placed on their sides of a baking tray, to give a wavy shape.
    Allow to set in the fridge, then carefully peel of the foil and use
    the chocolate waves to decorate the top of the cake.

Slept this morning at 5am, after doing my beading. I hope there
are no mistakes above. Double check liao.