When life gives me lemons, I bake chocolate cakes, sit with them watching my favourite sitcom and finish the whole cake all by myself, it always felt reassuring and comforting until at one point in time when I weighed way more than the healthy limit, and trying to compile my diary on experiences from then to now and still including my comfort foods in my diet and transforming my body and mind is a dream project that I'm working on. Dreams do come true when we are willing to believe and work towards that belief; the last two months have been the most challenging months for me on every front life has to offer, astrayed career, lack of focus, poor health, my self confidence and worth was in shambles. This phase taught me only one thing and the most important one i.e, we get used to the pain and it stops hurting anymore, but you don't give up no matter what; challenges shape you and that is absolutely true. When life throws all sorts of challenges at you, there needs to be a go to cake, that is fuss free to make, extremely simple steps and when all else is collapsing around you , a perfectly risen moist cake saves the day, it restores the lost balance. You may find this rant bizarre and feel how may be I have gone bonkers to feel a cake could save your day but trust me it does !!
INGREDIENTS:
- 2 cups flour ( whole wheat flour can be used for a healthier option )
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 3/4 cup dark cocoa powder
- 1 tbsp espresso powder
- 1 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 2 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tbsp rum ( can use 1/2 tsp vanilla extract as a replacement)
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
- 2 eggs
- 1 cup milk/ buttermilk/ coconut milk
- 1 cup boiling water
FOR THE GANACHE:
- 100 gms dark chocolate
- 150 ml heavy cream
Flaked almonds for garnishing.
METHOD:
- Pre-heat the oven at 180 degrees.
- Line two 9' pans with parchment paper or grease a bundt tin.
- In a large mixing bowl or the bowl of a stand mixer sift all the dry ingredients together.
- Mix the dry ingredients until well blended.
- Add oil, eggs and milk to the dry ingredients and whisk well until fully incorporated.
- Pour boiling water to the batter and mix well.
- Spoon the batter into baking trays and bake for 35-40 minutes or until a skewer comes clean, your baking time is going to depend on your baking dish and oven to oven temperature varies.
- MAKING THE GANACHE:
- Chop the chocolate, fine.
- Heat the cream until small bubbles form on the surface.
- Pour the cream over the chocolate and whisk until combined.
- Pour the warm ganache over the cake.
