Fudge Cake

Chocolate Fudge Cake - A Chocolatey Delight

Preparation time: 20 minutes
Baking time: 45-60 minutes
Total time: 1 hour and 20 minutes
Number of servings: 10-12 servings

Who doesn’t love chocolate? This chocolate fudge cake recipe is a perfect treat for chocolate lovers, offering a delightful combination of textures and flavors that will enchant your senses! The origins of this recipe are somewhat unclear, but undoubtedly, fudge cake has won the hearts of many over the years, becoming a favorite in many corners of the world. In this version, you will discover a moist and rich base, covered with a decadent chocolate cream, ideal for special occasions or simply to celebrate the sweet moments of life.

Ingredients:

For the base:
- 200 g flour
- 100 g melted butter
- 250 ml cream (do not use light variants for optimal results)
- 100 g brown sugar
- 4 eggs
- 1 packet of vanilla
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 350 g chocolate for melting

For the cream:
- 500 g chocolate for melting
- 300 ml cream (not light!)
- 125 g melted butter
- 80 g sugar
- 3 tablespoons glucose
- 2 small essences of espresso coffee

Necessary utensils:
- Mixer
- Bowl for bain-marie
- 20 cm diameter baking pan (if you don’t have one, a ring with baking paper works just as well)
- Spatula
- Grater (if you want to make chocolate decorations)

Step by Step:

Step 1: Preparing the base
1. Preheat the oven: Start by preheating the oven to 175°C. This step is essential to ensure even baking of the base.

2. Mixing the ingredients: In a large bowl, beat the eggs with the brown sugar and vanilla until the mixture becomes fluffy. Add the cream, melted chocolate, and melted butter, mixing well until homogeneous.

3. Incorporating dry ingredients: Sift the flour together with the baking powder and gradually add them to the wet mixture, stirring with a spatula to avoid lumps.

4. Pouring the mixture into the pan: Grease the pan with butter or use baking paper to prevent sticking. Pour the mixture into the pan and level the surface.

5. Baking: Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 45-60 minutes. Do the knife test: insert a knife into the center of the base; if it comes out clean, the base is ready.

Step 2: Preparing the cream
1. Melting the chocolate: In a bain-marie, melt the chocolate for the cream. Make sure no water gets into the chocolate, as it will spoil.

2. Mixing the cream ingredients: In a separate bowl, combine the melted butter, sugar, glucose, and coffee essence. Mix well until the sugar is completely dissolved.

3. Combining the ingredients: Add the cream and melted chocolate to the butter mixture and mix everything with a mixer on medium speed until the composition becomes frothy and slightly changes color.

4. Cooling the cream: Let the cream cool in the fridge for 30 minutes. This will help achieve a perfect texture when applying it to the base.

Step 3: Assembling the cake
1. Assembling the cake: If you wish, you can cut the base into two or three layers to add more cream between them. If you prefer a simpler cake, leave it as is.

2. Applying the cream: Using a spatula, spread the chocolate cream evenly over the base. Make sure to cover the edges well.

3. Cooling the cake: Place the cake in the fridge for a few hours or, ideally, overnight, to allow the flavors to meld.

Step 4: Decorating the cake
1. Using fondant: If you want to decorate the cake, it is recommended to use fondant. Roll out white and colored fondant (if you want to create shapes) and cover the cake with an even layer.

2. Custom decorations: Use decorating tubes to add ornaments to the cake. Culinary artists can create chocolate or fondant shapes for a truly impressive look.

Helpful tips:
- Chocolate: Choose high-quality chocolate to achieve an intense and rich flavor. Dark chocolate is ideal, but you can also experiment with milk or white chocolate.
- Cream: Ensure that the cream is not light, as the fat helps achieve a richer and creamier cream.
- Glucose: This helps stabilize the cream and gives it a fine texture. If you don’t have glucose, you can omit this ingredient, but the result will be slightly different.
- Fondant: If you want to decorate the cake with fondant, do this on the day it is to be served to prevent it from hardening.
- Variations: You can add ground nuts, candied fruits, or even a layer of jam between the base and cream for a surprising taste.

Frequently asked questions:
1. Can I use milk chocolate instead of dark?
Yes, but the cake will taste sweeter. Adjust the sugar amount accordingly.

2. How can I store the cake?
The cake stores well in the fridge for a few days. It is recommended to be covered to prevent drying out.

3. Can I make this cake a day in advance?
Absolutely! In fact, letting the cake chill in the fridge overnight helps intensify the flavors.

4. What drinks pair well with fudge cake?
A glass of cold milk, an espresso, or even a sweet wine can complement the rich flavor of the cake.

Use this recipe as an opportunity to experiment and let your creativity shine. Whether it’s a celebration or just a simple gathering with friends, this chocolate fudge cake will surely be the star of the table. Enjoy every bite and savor each sweet moment!