Chocolate Cake- Frosted with Memories

Hello Folks!!!

It was yesterday that I completed my exams and now I have all the time in the world to do things that make me happy. So overjoyed that I had finally completed my degree, I couldn’t wait to celebrate. We planned to have a long night filled with movies and chocolates. But just before that, Rule no. 1 - Grab some snacks to binge eat. It was then that my eyes fell on a packet of chocolate chips.  This brought in a rush of memories and scenes of three years ago, when my sister and I were at our native. We stayed at our cousins’ for over a week and had the best time ever. My aunt and uncle were at work so, we were by ourselves at home- the best thing that could ever happen when you are with your cousins, because that’s when you are known by those three very dangerous words- ‘Partners in Crime’. Dancing, singing, playing, cooking, watching movies, staying up late at night… if there was a to-do list of “all things fun to do with your cousins”, we had achieved more than that.  

That evening, we thought of this awesome idea (we always get amazing ideas when we are on the brink of the moment)- to bake a chocolate cake, covered in frosting as a surprise when they came back from work. There was a lot of commotion and excitement in the house with us running up and down, fetching the whisk, cake tin, and all those ingredients that would make the cake wonderful.

We were so focused on getting everything right, precisely measuring even the smallest granule, and ensuring that every heap of flour was carefully put into the bowl. It was like we were alchemists who wanted to create the most beautiful cake out of ordinary, commonly available ingredients. But, before anything of that sort happened, before we completed the transformation, the younger ones brought some jubilation and introduced a completely new feel with some relaxing, soulful ‘kitchen melodies’ as they call it. We were so busy running around that we didn’t realize we were making memories. We just knew we were having fun.  

When it was time for my aunt and uncle to be back, we had finished decorating the cake and neatly placed it on the stand. It stood there, gleaming, with such a sombre majesty, our beautiful piece of art. After they arrived and everyone had their share, the four of us shamelessly dug in with an intention to have a small slice. By the time there was very little left to taste, it struck us that we had finished the entire cake.

The chocolate chip packet lying on the kitchen counter made me nostalgic. So much of what I love about eating is the memories that lie behind the food as well.

RECIPE

INGREDIENTS

For the Cake

1.All-purpose flour – ¾ cup

2.Granulated sugar- ¾ cup

3.Unsweetened cocoa powder- 6tbsp

4.Baking soda – ¼ tbsp

5.Baking powder – ¼ tsp

6. Salt- ¼ tsp

7. Egg – 1 large

8.Buttermilk- ¼ cup

9.Warm water- ¼ cup

10.Vegetable oil – 4 tbsp

11.Vanilla extract – ½ tsp

For the Frosting

1.Softened butter – ¼ cup

2.Cocoa powder- 2 ½ tbsp

3.Powdered sugar – 1 ½ cup

4.Vanilla extract – ¼ cup

5.Milk – 1tbsp

INSTRUCTIONS

For the Cake

1.Pre-heat the oven to 180°C. Butter the cake tin, then dust with flour and tap out the excess.

2.Mix the flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder and salt in a mixing bowl.

3.Add the egg, buttermilk, warm water, oil and vanilla extract. Beat until smooth.

4.Pour the batter into the cake tin and bake for 30 minutes until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

5.Let the cake cool. Once cooled, frost with your favourite frosting.

For the Frosting

1.Whip the butter and cocoa together until smooth. Then, stir in the vanilla and powdered sugar.

2.Slowly pour in the milk until the frosting reaches your desired consistency.

3.Whip again until lightly fluffy.

 

 Notes:

·         If your frosting is too thick, slowly pour in some milk. If it is too thin, add some powdered sugar little by little to attain the desired consistency.

·       For a richer cocoa flavour, you can dissolve 2tsp instant coffee powder in the warm water, before adding it to the batter.