Tag Archive for: baking

Healthier Chocolate Bundt Cake Cove Cake Design

Healthier Chocolate Beetroot Bundt Recipe with Orange Coconut Cream Ganache

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The Chocolate Beetroot Bundt Cake

It was my birthday this week (I’m an April fool!), and this year I had time to make cake. We are currently in a global shutdown to combat a coronavirus pandemic and it is an anxious time for everyone I think. We have to live day-by-day and hope that we can overcome it together. In the midst of all the gloom it is important to keep busy and do things you love…and that would include baking!

I chose to make this Chocolate Beetroot Bundt cake from a desire to maintain a nourishing and healthy diet at this time. While no cake is healthy, this one uses honey as a sweetener, rapeseed oil in place of butter and of course has one of your 5-a-day in the form of nutritious beetroot! It is also dairy-free, making it suitable for those with dairy intolerances or dietary preferences.

The Flavours

The recipe is adapted from one by Green Kitchen Stories, who write wonderful vegetarian cookbooks. I have made changes to their Decadent Beetroot Chocolate cake by substituting some flour for wholemeal, adding in ground almonds for added moisture and increasing the chocolate content. I also decided to go all-out (it was my birthday after all!) and add a vegan Chocolate Orange Ganache icing, which really makes the cake! I sometimes pair beetroot with orange in a salad and I think the flavour combination works well here too. I love vegan ganache (perhaps more so than regular ganache actually!), made with coconut cream it is equally as rich as that made with dairy cream but has added flavour. Any leftover could be rolled into delicious vegan truffles.

Healthier Chocolate Beetroot Bundt Cake

Chocolate Beetroot Bundt Cake Variations

As shopping and stock availability is not always easy in the current global shutdown, feel free to make variations with whatever you have available. If you don’t have a bundt tin, this recipe would also works well in an 8″ or 9″ round cake tin. I have used a mix of wholemeal and plain flour but if the flour shortage seen in supermarkets here is widespread, feel free to use any flour you have, eg. self-raising (omit the baking powder), or gluten-free or other flour alternatives.  Ground almonds are also a non-essential element. The original recipe calls for 70% dark chocolate but I only had 54.5% available so clearly either will work.

I hope you enjoy this recipe, it is an easy one to make so kids can be roped in too. And perhaps a nice nourishing choice for an Easter treat too!

Happy baking!

Suzanne x

Chocolate Beetroot Bundt Cake Slice

Chocolate Beetroot Bundt Cake Recipe with Orange Coconut Cream Ganache

Ingredients for the Cake:

  • 150ml rapeseed oil (olive would work too), plus extra for greasing
  • 120ml honey
  • 75g dark chocolate (70% best but I used 54.5%)
  • 250g grated raw red beetroot
  • 3 free range eggs
  • 1tsp vanilla extract (optional)
  • 100g wholemeal plain flour
  • 100g plain flour
  • 25g ground almonds
  • 75g good quality cocoa powder
  • 2tsp baking powder
  • Pinch salt

Ingredients for Ganache:

  • 150g coconut cream (can take cream settled at top of tin of coconut milk or use a small tin coconut cream)
  • 150g 54.5% dark chocolate
  • Grated zest of 1 small orange

For decoration (optional):

  • Whatever you have available! I used dried rose petals, other dried flowers, toasted nuts, sliced fruits etc would also work well.

Method:

  1. To make the cake, preheat the oven to 160°C/320F.  Grease a 20cm bundt pan with oil. I use a silicone bundt mould which is best to avoid sticking. If using a metal one it may be advisable to also sprinkle with flour to avoid sticking. If using a cake tin, grease and line.
  2. Heat the rapeseed oil, honey and dark chocolate together on a low heat in a medium sized pan.
  3. Add the grated beetroot, beaten eggs and vanilla and stir to combine.
  4. In a separate bowl, sift together the flours, baking powder, cocoa powder and salt. Add the ground almonds.
  5. Pour the dry ingredients into the chocolate beetroot mixture and stir well to combine.
  6. Pour the mixture into your chosen cake tin.
  7. Bake for 25-35mins, until the top is cracked and a skewer inserted into centre comes out clean.
  8. Leave to cool for 10mins before turning out onto a wire wrack to cool completely.
  9. To make the ganache, place the chocolate and coconut cream in a bowl over a pan of simmering water and stir to melt chocolate. Add the orange zest and stir. Pour over the cooled bundt cake. Decorate as you wish.
  10. Enjoy!

Chocolate Beetroot Bundt Cake Slice

 

Chocolate Chestnut Cranberry Layer Cake Recipe Cove Cake Design

Chocolate Cranberry and Chestnut Cake Recipe

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Cake layers

The Chocolate Cranberry and Chestnut Cake Recipe

I am always a little indecisive about what to make for a Christmas dessert, but generally come to the conclusion that a centrepiece cake can never go amiss!  I have hence been experimenting with some traditional seasonal flavours and am delighted with this resulting Chocolate Chestnut and Cranberry layer cake recipe.

Chocolate Cake

The chocolate cake is light and moist and is adapted slightly from a recipe in Tessa Huff‘s fabulous cake book, Layered. The lightness of this chocolate cake gives the perfect balance to the rich bitterness of the cranberry ganache and the sweetness of the chestnut meringue buttercream.

Cranberry Ganache

The cranberry ganache is adapted from a macaron filling recipe by patissier Eddy Van Damme. It is deliciously decadent with a fabulously rich colour. You may not need to use all of this ganache but leftover can be used to fill macarons or frozen for use in a future bake. It would pair well with other flavours too such as cranberry or gingerbread.

Chocolate Chestnut Cake Slice

Chestnut Swiss Merginue Buttercream

For the chestnut puree in the swiss meringue buttercream I used the French brand Clement Faugier but others are available in good supermarkets or delis. Leftover puree can be used in a variety of recipes such as with meringues in the classic Mont Blanc dessert, added to cakes or brownies, or made into chocolate chestnut truffles which would actually be a lovely decoration and accompaniment for this cake. I didn’t have time to do this but there are recipes available online.

Enjoy!

The cake is rich and decadent and will hence easily serve a crowd of 10-12..just what is needed for the festive season! The cake itself will keep well for 4-5 days wrapped in tightly cling film.  Once filled and iced eat within 2-3 days. I don’t think this will be a problem!

Happy baking!

Suzanne x

Sliced chocolate cake

Chocolate Cranberry and Chestnut Cake Recipe

Ingredients for the cake:

  • 235g plain flour
  • 70g best quality cocoa powder
  • 1 1/2 tsp baking powder
  • 1tsp baking soda
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 120ml rapeseed or other flavourless oil
  • 300g caster sugar
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1tsp vanilla bean paste
  • 180ml whole milk
  • 240ml strong coffee

Ingredients for Cranberry Ganache:

  • 180g fresh cranberries
  • 120g cream
  • 120g sugar
  • 120g 54.5% dark belgian chocolate

Ingredients for the  Swiss Meringue Buttercream:

  • 150g fresh egg whites (about 5 eggs)
  • 250g caster sugar
  • 240g unsalted butter, cool but not cold
  • 4-5 tbsp tinned sweetened chestnut puree (or more to taste)
  • pinch salt

For decoration (optional):

  • Fresh cherries or other seasonal fruits

Method:

  1. To make the cake, preheat the oven to 160°C/320F.  Grease three 7″ round cake tins and line with baking parchment.
  2. Sift together the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda and salt into a bowl.
  3. Beat the oil and sugar together in a stand mixer for a few mins until pale. Add the eggs and beat again until combined.
  4. Turn the mixer to low and add the flour mixture in 3 batches, alternating with the milk. Scrape down the bowl and mix again to combine.
  5. Finally with the mixer on low add the coffee and mix until just combined.
  6. Divide the mixture between the tins and bake for 25-30 mins until the top of the cakes are firm to the touch and a skewer inserted into the centre comes out clean.
  7. Remove the cake from the tin after 10-15mins and leave to cool completely on a wire rack.
  8. To make the cranberry ganache: Put the cranberries, cream and sugar into a small saucepan and bring to the boil. Remove from the heat and puree in a blender. Strain back into the pan to remove skin and seeds of the cranberries.
  9. Put the chocolate callets into a bowl.
  10. Bring the cranberry cream mixture back to the boil and then pour over the chocolate mixture. Leave for a few mins to allow the chocolate to melt before stirring to achieve a smooth ganache. Set aside to cool and thicken.
  11. To make the icing: Clean the bowl and whisk of an electric mixer with a squeeze of lemon juice and dry with paper towel to remove any traces of grease.
  12. Place the egg white and sugar into the bowl and place over a pot of simmering water, whisking constantly, until the temperature reaches 160°F on a candy thermometer. If you don’t have a thermometer, whisk until the sugar has completely dissolved and the egg whites are hot.
  13. Transfer the bowl to the mixer and using the whisk attachment whisk until the meringue is thick and glossy and the bottom of the bowl feels neutral to the touch.
  14. Switch to paddle attachment and with mixer on low speed add the butter a cube at a time, mixing until incorporated after each addition. If the mixture curdles continue to mix until it comes back together. Add the chestnut puree and salt and mix to combine.
  15. If the buttercream is too runny, refrigerate until firmer and mix again before using.
  16. To assemble the cake, trim the tops of the cooled cakes to level. Fix one cake layer to a cake card or directly onto a cake stand using a small bit of buttercream. Pipe a layer of cranberry ganache on top followed by a layer of the buttercream, smoothing each with a palette knife. Repeat with a second cake layer and another layer of ganache and buttercream. Top with the final cake layer. Refrigerate until firm.
  17. Once the cake has been chilled for at least 30 mins and is firm, crumb coat the cake in a thin layer of buttercream, scraping away any excess. Refrigerate again.
  18. Continue to add layers of buttercream, using a scraper to remove excess until the cake is covered in a smooth layer of buttercream icing.
  19. Decorate as you wish with gilded fruits, sugared cranberries, chocolate truffles or anything else that takes your fancy!

Chocolate Chestnut Cranberry Cake Layers

 

Almond Sheet Cake with Plum and Sweet Geranium Cove Cake Design

Almond Cake Recipe with Plum and Sweet Geranium Jam and Vanilla Bean Swiss Meringue Buttercream

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Almond Plum Sweet Geranium Sheet Cake

The Flavours

I only recently discovered scented rose geranium as a baking ingredient, having bought some at our local farmer’s market. While not the pretties of leaves, it releases a wonderfully delicate rose scented flavour simply by rubbing  to release the oils. It can be used in sweet dishes in a variety of ways, for example by infusing sugar to use in baking and desserts in place of normal sugar, or in scented syrups or jams. It pairs well with citrus flavours, fruits and spices.  I choose to use my geranium in a jam with plums, which happened to be in season at the time of late Autumn. It is quite possibly the best jam I have ever made! While we have been using it on toast and scones for several weeks, I finally satisfied my original intention of using it as a cake filling by creating this delicious recipe for Almond Cake with Plum and Geranium Jam and Vanilla Bean Swiss Meringue Buttercream.

The Almond Cake

I chose to make this as a tray or sheet cake. I will tell no lies, I was in a bit of a rush and didn’t have the time to consider layering and icing in my usual way. And actually I quite like the informality of a tray cake; it is easy to cut and serve for a casual teatime treat! The large surface is a perfect canvas for decorative prettiness too!

The almond cake is particularly dense and moist, and is a classic pairing with the plum jam. The sweet geranium in the jam adds just the right amount of floral fragrance.  I used quite a few geranium leaves but feel free to adjust this flavour to your preference.  You could also try making the jam with geranium-infused sugar, rather than the chopped leaves I have used here, although this would take a little more forward-planning. I chose a vanilla Swiss meringue buttercream for a simple, light and complimentary flavour.

Plum Jam

The quantities for the jam makes much more than you need, but store in sealed sterilised jars and use it in other bakes, or simply enjoy on your favourite toast, croissant or scone! If you can’t find geranium or seasonal plums, this cake and buttercream recipe works well with other similar fruity floral combinations, try shop bought raspberry jam with a little rosewater added for an even quicker but equally delicious cake.

Swiss Meringue Buttercream

Similarly the Swiss meringue buttercream makes more than required. However as this is a more labour-intensive buttercream than the straightforward recipe of mixing icing sugar and butter, I always go for the larger quantity and freeze leftover icing for my next bake. You can of course halve the quantities if you don’t envisage using it again in the foreseeable future.

Enjoy!

I was delighted to donate this bake to my local community Crosscare cafe, which offers hot meals and a warm and friendly environment for those in need. Spread love with cake!

Happy baking!

Suzanne x

Almond Cake with Plum and Sweet Geranium Jam and Vanilla Bean Swiss Meringue Buttercream

Ingredients for the cake:

  • 400g unsalted butter
  • 400g caster sugar
  • 6 eggs
  • 100g plain flour
  • 250g ground almonds
  • Pinch salt
  • Few drops almond essence (optional)
  • 4-6tbsp milk

Ingredients for Plum Jam:

  • 900g plums (washed, dried, stoned and sliced)
  • 700g caster sugar
  • 5-6 large sweet geranium leaves, finely chopped
  • Juice one lemon

Ingredients for the Vanilla Swiss Meringue Buttercream:

  • 300g fresh egg whites (about 10 eggs)
  • 500g caster sugar
  • 680g unsalted butter, cool but not cold
  • seeds 1 vanilla pod
  • pinch salt
  • pink paste food colouring (optional)

For decoration (optional):

  • Sliced plums
  • Dried edible flower petals (rose and cornflower)
  • Toasted flaked almonds

Method:

  1. To make the jam, place the plums in a large pan with 250ml water. Cover, bring to the boil and then reduce the heat and simmer for about 20mins until the plums are soft.
  2. Remove the lid and add the sugar, sweet geranium and lemon juice. Simmer on a medium heat until the jam is reduced down and has reached setting point (you can test this by placing a spoonful on a cold plate in the fridge for a few minutes. It should form a skin when you push it with your finger).
  3. Remove from the heat and pour into clean sterilised jars and seal immediately. Leave to cool.
  4. To make the cake, preheat the oven to 160°C/320F.  Grease and line a 9″x 12″ baking tray that is approximately 1.5″ deep (or similar size) with baking parchment.
  5. Cream together the butter, sugar and almond essence in a mixer until pale.
  6. Sift together the flour and salt into another bowl.
  7. Add the eggs one at a time into the butter sugar mixture, beating well after each addition.
  8. Add in the flour mixture and mix on low speed until combined.
  9. Add the ground almonds and mix again.
  10. Finally add milk and mix to achieve a dropping consistency.
  11. Pour the mixture into the tin and bake for 35-45 mins until the top of the cake is firm to the touch and a skewer inserted into the centre comes out clean.
  12. Remove the cake from the tin after 10-15mins and leave to cool completely on a wire rack.
  13. To make the icing: Clean the bowl and whisk of an electric mixer with a squeeze of lemon juice and dry with paper towel to remove any traces of grease.
  14. Place the egg white and sugar into the bowl and place over a pot of simmering water, whisking constantly, until the temperature reaches 160°F on a candy thermometer. If you don’t have a thermometer, whisk until the sugar has completely dissolved and the egg whites are hot.
  15. Transfer the bowl to the mixer and using the whisk attachment whisk until the meringue is thick and glossy and the bottom of the bowl feels neutral to the touch.
  16. Switch to paddle attachment and with mixer on low speed add the butter a cube at a time, mixing until incorporated after each addition. If the mixture curdles continue to mix until it comes back together. Add the vanilla seeds and salt and food paste colouring as desired.
  17. If the buttercream is too runny, refrigerate until firmer and mix again before using.
  18. To assemble the cake, when cool cover the cake generously with plum jam followed by a thick layer of delicious buttercream. Scatter with plum slices, flaked almonds and dried flower petals. Serve with a cup of tea!

Almond sheet cake slice

 

Lemon Curd and Violet Loaf Cake Recipe Cove Cake Design

Lemon Curd and Violet Loaf Cake Recipe

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Lemon curd loaf cake

Lemon Curd Loaf Cake

Loaf cakes are a weekend favourite, partly because they are so quick and easy to make. Without the need for layering and filling, a quick glaze or icing and some edible decorations results in something delicious and pretty with minimal effort.

This lemon curd loaf cake recipe evolved from a half jar of homemade lemon curd lurking in my fridge that I had left over from a wedding cake order. I am always loathe to throw away food and try to use everything up, so decided to add the curd itself to this loaf cake to add an extra tang and moistness.

Lemon and Violet

Lemon and violet are a perfect summery combination. I had crystallised violet petals from Sous Chef UK in my cupboard so used them to add a subtle violet flavour to the cake as well as flavour and decoration on the icing. You could also use other violet products such as a violet sugar (try substituting some of the regular sugar for violet sugar) or violet food essence. Another nice addition would be some seasonal blueberries.  Feel free to experiment!

Happy Baking!

Suzanne

Lemon curd cake

Lemon Curd and Violet Cake Recipe

Ingredients for the cake:

  • 190g unsalted Irish butter
  • 190g plain flour
  • 190g caster sugar
  • 3 medium free range Irish eggs
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • Pinch salt
  • 4 tbsp lemon curd (homemade or shop bought)
  • Finely grated zest of 1 lemon
  • 4tsp crystallised violets, ground

Ingredients for the icing and decoration:

  • 100g icing sugar
  • Juice 1 lemon
  • Crystalised violets, coarsely ground
  • Edible flowers

Method:

  1. Preheat the oven to 160°C/320F.  Grease and line a 1lb loaf tin with baking parchment.
  2. Cream together the butter, caster sugar, lemon zest and ground crystallised violets in an electric mixer or by hand until light.
  3. Sift together the flour, baking powder and salt.
  4. Add the eggs one at a time into the butter sugar mixture, beating well after each addition.
  5. Add in the flour mixture and mix on low speed until combined.
  6. Finally add the lemon curd and mix again.
  7. Pour the mixture into the loaf tin and bake for 45-55 mins until the top of the loaf is firm to the touch and a skewer inserted into the centre comes out clean.
  8. Remove the cake from the tin after 10-15mins and leave to cool completely on a wire rack.
  9. To make the icing, sift the icing sugar into a bowl and add the lemon juice to make an icing with a thick pouring consistency. Add more lemon juice/icing sugar as required to achieve this.
  10. Pour the icing over the cooled cake, using a spatula to spread over the top and allowing a little to drizzle down the sides. Decorate with crushed crystallised violet petals and edible flowers if desired.
  11. The cake keeps well in an airtight container for 2-3 days.

lemon curd cake slice

 

Orange Fennel Honey Loaf Cake Recipe Cove Cake Design

Orange Fennel and Honey Loaf Cake Recipe

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Orange Fennel Honey Loaf Cake Recipe Cove Cake Design

Loaf Cake Recipe for Irish Country Magazine

I do love a loaf cake…easy to make and requiring little decoration, they are a perfect weekend teatime treat. I devised this Orange Fennel Honey Loaf Cake recipe for a feature in the November 2018 edition of Irish Country Magazine and hence had the pleasure of having talented photographer Ramona Farrelly follow me in its making in my kitchen…thank you for these lovely photos Ramon!Loaf cake ingredients

Loaf Cake Details

This is a classic loaf cake recipe, kept moist by the addition of yogurt and given a refreshing zing with orange zest and syrup. Fennel seeds add a subtle liquorice flavour and heighten the sweetness of the orange. Decorated here with dried edible flowers and chopped pistachios feel free to experiment with presentation…an orange icing would also work well, as would candied orange slices or other nuts.

Happy Baking!

Suzanne x

Orange Fennel and Honey Loaf Cake Recipe

Ingredients for the cake:

  • 190g unsalted Irish butter
  • 190g plain flour
  • 190g caster sugar
  • 3 medium free range Irish eggs
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • Pinch salt
  • 25g natural greek yogurt
  • Finely grated zest of 1 large orange
  • 3tsp fennel seed

Ingredients for the syrup and decoration:

  • Juice of 1 orange
  • 1tbsp Irish honey
  • 50g caster sugar
  • Handful chopped pistachios (optional)
  • Handful dried flower petals (optional)

Method:

  1. Preheat the oven to 160°C/320F.  Grease and line a 1lb loaf tin with baking parchment.
  2. Lightly toast the fennel seed in a hot pan until fragrant. Pour into a pestle and mortar and grind to a fine powder.
  3. Cream together the butter, caster sugar and orange zest in an electric mixer or by hand until light.
  4. Sift together the flour, baking powder, ground fennel and salt.
  5. Add the eggs one at a time into the butter sugar mixture, beating well after each addition.
  6. Add in the flour mixture and mix on low speed until combined.
  7. Finally add the yogurt and mix again.
  8. Pour the mixture into the loaf tin and bake for 45-55 mins until the top of the loaf is firm to the touch and a skewer inserted into the centre comes out clean.
  9. Meanwhile make the syrup. Add the orange juice, honey and sugar to a pan and bring to the boil. Allow to simmer until reduced slightly. Pour over the loaf cake when it comes out of the oven.
  10. Remove the cake from the tin after 10-15mins and leave to cool completely on a wire rack. Decorate with chopped pistachios and dried flower petals if desired.

Orange Loaf Cake Recipe Cove Cake Design

Moist orange fennel loaf cake