Monday 7 January 2013

Dark Chocolate-Almond Cake

Dear friends, thank you for visiting my new blog. I've moved over from my previous blog due to technical issues with my previous blogging platform. I'll be transferring my old postings within the next few weeks. 
If you are following me on Facebook, Twitter or Google +, you'll still be receiving updates when there is a new posting. However, I was unable to bring over the contacts of readers who are following me via email. If you are keen to receive updates via email, or connect with me via the Blogger dashboard, please sign up on the right. Thank you!
Now, let's get back to the blog post. It's been a great start to the new year with this lovely Dark Chocolate-Almond Cake from the book Coffee Cakes: Simple, Sweet and Savory by Lou Seibert Pappas. We are baking through this book as members of The Home Bakers  hosted by Joyce from Kitchen Flavours. If you are keen to join us, please contact Joyce. 



The Dark Chocolate-Almond Cake is a rich and moist chocolate cake with a slight nutty flavour. I did not blend all the almonds till it was fine and left some pieces a little bigger for the extra crunch. I served this cake during a Christmas and new year gathering and everyone enjoyed it very much. It was fabulous with a scoop of vanilla ice cream which brought out the chocolate-y and nutty flavours even more.



I made half the cake (wish I made the full recipe!) in a 7 inch tin. Below is my ingredient list
and my revised steps. Please go to Jocelyn from Riceball Eats for the original full recipe. 

Dark Chocolate-Almond Cake (7 inch)

Ingredients
  • 56 g of butter
  • 113 g of bittersweet or semisweet chocolate (chopped)
  • 3 large eggs, separated
  • Half of 1/8 tsp of salt (A pinch)
  • Half of 1/8 tsp of cream of tar tar (A pinch)
  • 2 tbsp sugar plus 1/4 cup 
  • 1 tbsp brewed coffee or rum 
  • 1/4 cup plus 2 tbsp finely ground almonds or toasted hazelnuts
  • 3 tbsp of unbleached all purpose flour
  • Confectioner's sugar for dusting
Method
  • Pre-heat oven to 175 degrees C.
  • In a double boiler, over simmering water, melt butter and sugar and stir to blend. Make sure that the pot holding the mixture does not touch the water.
  • Beat egg yolks till thick, then beat in 1/4 cup of sugar, followed by coffee/rum. Stir in melted chocolate.
  • Beat egg whites till foamy, add the salt and cream of tar tar and beat till soft peak. Add 2 tbsp sugar and beat till stiff.
  • Fold in 1/3 of egg white mixture into the egg yolk mixture to lighten it. Then fold in nuts, flour and remaining egg whites.
  • Pour into pan, smooth the top and bake for 25 to 30 mins till a cake tester comes out clean 1.5 cm from the centre of the cake. Centre should still be wobbly. 
  • Cool then remove from pan and dust with confectioner's sugar before serving.
This is for Alphabakes Jan 2013 hosted by Caroline Makes and The More than Occasional Baker. 

37 comments:

  1. Hi Mich,
    Am I first? Haha! Congratulations on your new "site"!
    Your cake looks wonderful, exactly as the one in the book! I enjoyed this cake too, the texture is very moist, soft and so delicious! Leaving some coarse almonds in the batter is a wonderful idea! Regretted making half a recipe too, been thinking of baking this again.
    Happy New Year and all the best in 2013!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Delicious looking cake, I just love using nut meals in choccy cakes :)

    ReplyDelete
  3. Hi Mich,
    blogspot yeah! wordpress was a bother to little old me! I will bake mine later when my kitchen taps are flowing!

    your bake is DELISH! weiii everyone who baked half the recipe is regretting their decision!

    ReplyDelete
  4. This is def. my sort of cake. I love almonds in cake and combined with dark chocolate is just heaven. Yummy!

    ReplyDelete
  5. how lovely your cake looks! yes, i can see the almond nibs..i will be using ground almonds tho as i still hv them in my kitchen. will only be baking mine tmrw. Have noted about your blog change, thanks!

    ReplyDelete
  6. The chocolate cake looks heavenly, Mich.
    All the best with new platform!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Hi Mich,

    Welcome to the blogger platform!

    I was having problem accessing your site and glad that you have inform me this... I have change all your Dec links at Martha Stewart to your new blog. Hope your migration will be smooth. Please let me know if there is anything I can help :D

    Btw, your cake look great! Mine was a disappointment. Joyce was sharp to spot that I have added extra ground almond but I still giving this recipe a benefit of doubt...

    Zoe

    ReplyDelete
  8. Hi Mich, congrats on your "new" blog. Have added you to my blogroll :)

    ReplyDelete
  9. Good luck with Blogger - it has it's moments!

    Your chocolate cake looks wonderful. That's a great picture you've taken of the slice. I like the idea of using ground hazelnuts in this and maybe the rum - mmmmm.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Hi Mich, got your new blog address, following on Blogger now :)

    ReplyDelete
  11. Mich , I've changed your site's name in my blogroll but there's something wrong with it :P Will try it again later :D

    Anyway , your cake looks delicious ! Chocolate and nuts go so well together !

    ReplyDelete
  12. Hi Mich, I found my way here. Thank you for informing me your new address. Congratulation on your new comfort home.
    Your chocolate almond cake look so chocolatey, nice to go with coffee. :)

    Have a nice day ahead,regards.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Hi Mich, congratulations on your new address. I love the plate you served your cake in, so pretty! And your cake looks really pretty, though I didn't really like mine, but I feel like having a slice of yours!

    ReplyDelete
  14. Congrats on your new site! Lucky I just found you've moved :D

    ReplyDelete
  15. thks for informing me about your new site, congratulations
    this is one fabulous site u have :)
    yummy chocolate cake!

    ReplyDelete
  16. congrats by your nice site Mich and Im happy to arrive here OK. I dont want lost you:) Someones of my friends when change is difficult!
    This chocolate cake look awesome and delicious like all you make:)

    ReplyDelete
  17. Great work on the new site Mich...glad you are back! That almond chocolate cake looked very tempting indeed! Yes, it'll be perfect with a scoop of vanilla ice cream!

    ReplyDelete
  18. Congrats on your new site looks fabulous!

    That chocolate cake looks divine perfect to accompany a nice cup of tea!

    Angela

    ReplyDelete
  19. Nice to meet you on your new address my friend :)
    Loving the cake!

    Cheers
    Choc Chip Uru

    ReplyDelete
  20. Morning Mich, Congratulations!! you've won the giveaway. Please come over to my blog.

    ReplyDelete
  21. Mich, grats on the new blog, hope it wasn't a pain moving it over. this looks like a lovely cake. could have done with this on sunday, when i had a family birthday. just catching up on my reading now. xx

    ReplyDelete
  22. Hi Michelle,
    Thanks for letting me know of your new home. It's such a pain when you have technical issues and I can really sympathise. What a lovely cake to start the New Year. It looks delicious and moist!

    ReplyDelete
  23. Ooh, put the kettle on, I'm in, that looks lush and I love chocolate and almonds so this cake is a definite winner and I know my family would love it for dessert!

    ReplyDelete
  24. What a great looking cake!
    I'd looooooooooooove a slice with my hot tea now :)

    ReplyDelete
  25. Hi Mich, good luck to your new blog place! The cake looks absolutely perfect! Have a great New Year!

    ReplyDelete
  26. Moving blog really looks like moving house :D Love your cake. I like to use almonds in cakes too. Now I wish I can have a slice with a hot cup of tea.....late night dessert...hehe

    ReplyDelete
  27. Mich, why change from Piece of Cake to Eat A Piece of Cake? By the way, when I copy and paste "Piece of Cake," it shows a different person's blog. I'm following you now!

    ReplyDelete
  28. This cake looks yummy! I wish I have the time to bake all the bookmarked recipes! Sigh!

    ReplyDelete
  29. I love the new blog :) Hehe such a cute name. This cake looks amazing... can I 'eat a piece of cake'? :)

    ReplyDelete
  30. Oh I love chocolate cake with nutty flavor. Looks very moist and delicious. Hope the rest of transfer goes smoothly! I love the new site!

    ReplyDelete
  31. Hi Mich,
    I love your new site and your new name is simply awesome.

    Your dark chocolate almond cake looks great! i bet the chocolate and nutty flavour goes very well!!

    mui

    ReplyDelete
  32. Mich, your new site looks good and pristinely clean :) Glad you love this bake. I must say, your cake looks moist and yummy

    ReplyDelete
  33. Yum, this looks lovely - thanks for entering it into Alphabakes!

    ReplyDelete
  34. Great Post! Thanks for sharing such beautiful information with us. Please keep sharing.

    Please visit Café Bunbury

    ReplyDelete
  35. Informative Blog. These days, bubble tea cake is an absolute favorite of young adults. Why? Because drinkable bubble tea cakes Singapore are a terrific option for a fun birthday present. For the perfect Instagram-able moment, photograph the birthday angel drinking their favorite thing from the cake.

    ReplyDelete
  36. I admire the valuable information you offer in your articles very nice.
    Chinese New Year Cakes

    ReplyDelete