Chocolate cake

Chocolate Cake – A Quick and Elegant Delight

Preparation time: 20 minutes
Baking time: 30-35 minutes
Total time: 50-55 minutes
Servings: 8-10

Who doesn’t love a slice of moist and flavorful chocolate cake? This simple and quick recipe is perfect for bringing a smile to the faces of colleagues, friends, or family. It’s a dessert that effortlessly combines chocolate with a fluffy texture, making it ideal for any occasion, whether it’s a work meeting or a family gathering. Let’s embark on our culinary journey!

Ingredients needed

- 2 fresh eggs
- 1 cup of sugar (about 200 g)
- 1/2 cup of oil (125 ml) – I recommend sunflower or canola oil for a neutral taste
- 1/2 cup of milk (125 ml) – whole milk provides a richer flavor
- 2 cups of flour (about 250 g)
- 1 teaspoon of baking powder (about 10 g)
- Vanilla essence (1-2 teaspoons) – you can also use vanilla extract for a more intense flavor
- 1 bar of milk chocolate (about 100 g)
- 50 ml of milk (for the glaze)
- Decorative candies (optional, but recommended for a festive look)

The History of Chocolate Cake

Cake is a classic dessert with roots in the baking traditions of various cultures. Over time, recipes have diversified, and today chocolate cake is one of the most beloved types of cake. This recipe blends tradition with a modern taste and is an excellent choice for celebrating special moments or simply indulging yourself.

Step by Step: Making the Chocolate Cake

1. Melting the chocolate: Start by breaking the chocolate into small pieces and placing it in a small saucepan. Add the 50 ml of milk and heat over low heat, stirring constantly until the chocolate is completely melted and you achieve a smooth glaze. Remove from heat and let it cool slightly.

2. Preparing the egg mixture: Separate the egg whites from the yolks. In a large bowl, beat the egg whites with a pinch of salt until they form peaks and double in volume. This step is essential for achieving a fluffy cake. In another bowl, beat the yolks with the sugar until they become a light-colored cream. Add the oil and milk, mixing continuously.

3. Combining the ingredients: Pour the yolk mixture over the beaten egg whites and gently fold together with a spatula, using circular motions from bottom to top. This will keep the air in the egg whites and help the cake remain fluffy.

4. Adding the flour: Sift the flour together with the baking powder and incorporate it into the mixture. Mix gently, ensuring there are no lumps, but without overmixing.

5. Flavoring: Finally, add the vanilla essence and mix gently.

6. Preparing the baking pan: Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F). Grease a loaf pan with oil and dust it with flour to prevent sticking.

7. Pouring the mixture: Pour half of the cake mixture into the prepared pan. Then, pour half of the melted chocolate glaze on top and use a fork to spread it evenly through the batter.

8. Baking: Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 30-35 minutes. Check if it's done using the toothpick test: if it comes out clean, the cake is ready.

9. Cooling: After the baking time is up, remove the cake from the oven and let it cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then turn it out onto a serving plate.

10. Finishing touches: If the glaze has hardened, you can heat it again to make it more fluid. Pour the remaining glaze over the cake and decorate with colorful candies for an attractive appearance.

Serving and Useful Tips

The chocolate cake can be served warm or at room temperature. It pairs deliciously with a scoop of ice cream or a cup of aromatic coffee, and for an extra touch of flavor, you can add a dollop of whipped cream. You can also experiment by adding nuts or hazelnuts to the batter for a crunchy texture.

Frequently Asked Questions

- Can I use dark chocolate? Absolutely! Dark chocolate will provide a more intense flavor and deeper aroma.
- What else can I add to the cake? You can try adding candied fruit, raisins, or even banana pieces for a more exotic taste.
- How can I store the cake? I recommend keeping it in an airtight container at room temperature, where it will stay fresh for 3-4 days.

Nutritional Benefits

Chocolate cake is a good source of energy due to its sugar and healthy fats from the oil. Chocolate, especially with a higher cocoa content, can offer health benefits such as protection against cardiovascular diseases and improved mood.

Calories

A serving of chocolate cake has approximately 250-300 calories, depending on the ingredients used and the portion size. It’s a dessert worth savoring in moderation.

In conclusion, this chocolate cake is not just a simple recipe, but also a wonderful way to bring joy to those around you. Whether you’re making it for a special occasion or just to treat yourself, the final result will always be delicious. So put on your apron and let’s enjoy cooking!