Thursday 7 March 2013

Dark Chocolate Cake With Chocolate Ganache Frosting | Dark Chocolate Cake Using Pressure Cooker Cake | Cadbury Bournville Cake | Dark Chocolate Ganache

"CELEBRATING 
MY BLOG'S FIRST ANNIVERSARY 
WITH A RICH DARK CHOCOLATE CAKE"


Hello friends am so happy to share with you that today my blog baby turned 1 year old and is successfully stepping into the second year. Sorry pals am gonna write much longer today as its my blog's birthday, and obviously am overwhelmed about it, so please be patient with me. Let me start with praising my Lord Jesus, without whom I would not have come this far, He gave me enough strength and talent to cook that gave me a recognition in this world. Never in my life I thought I would be here in this virtual world spreading out my ideas and recipes, thanks to the Almighty who had such beautiful plans for me, obviously His ways are wonderful and unpredictable but always the best. Love you Lord Jesus. I also owe thanks to all my friends, subscribers and readers you so much for all the support you have given me all throughout my blogging journey. And a special thanks to my family who had been a great support, not even a single day in blogging would have been gone without them. Specifically two people play a very good role in motivating me and my work, my husband and my mom. Both of them have equally contributed their ideas and helping hands when I needed one. The best part was where my husband gifted me a DSLR camera understanding my passion and love towards food blogging. Thanks to him it has helped improved my photography. Mom has been a consistent support and keeps giving me ideas about traditional cooking. The most interesting part is my dad also has been keenly interested with my blogging and gives me ideas about what recipes I can post about and what people may love. It has been very motivating!!!.... so thank you Mom and Dad. A special thanks to blogger.com for giving me a free space that gave freedom to express my thoughts and skills, it is definitely an appreciable one. 

Needless to say my friends, readers and subscribers have got so much to do with this 1 year journey, without all your support, comments, feedbacks and honest criticisms  it would not have been possible for me to cross a year successfully. Am so glad the way people give me consistent support and motivation through mails. Making new friends and getting to know about people with same interest makes blogging more interesting and fun filled. Am so very moved to know that I have earned so much love among all my friends, here are some of the wishes my dearest friends have sent me, am really so blessed to have known them. Thanks Sangee Vijay akka for the heartiest wishes; Priya R akka and Divya Prakash akka for the lovely cards you really made my day, thanks to my dear SNC group and all others for the warm and lovely wishes.

Thank you Priya.R akka J 

Thank you Divya Prakash akka J

Blogging has got me through various phases like learning new things, developing new skills, new friends and also helped me improve my cooking lot better!! An year ago I never knew I would make these many lovely friends and I never ever dreamt that I would be a writer, a photographer (amateur though) and even an event conductor. I must mention about SNC here, which helped me gain more and more friends everyday and I keep learning a lot there. I am so happy to see SNC grow so healthy, it has been a very fun filled group with no rules, no restrictions but still it has been organised well with the full support that my SNC members have given me, its more like a family rather than just a group.  I have learnt a lot and am still learning, am glad that I took a good decision last year that has brought so much of obvious good changes in my life. My writing skills, photography skills has improved a lot which you will agree if you see my first post. I still remember the day how excited I was to post my first recipe, chana chickpea coconut curry. After posting I kept checking my blogger dashboard to see how many views I had got, I was so curious and thought that people would rush in to see my recipe, I never had known that there was a concept called indexing, and how Google ji would not be able recognize my new blog. Then I made researches about how to gain traffic, some helped some did not, then I joined all the websites that promoted promised to promote blogs, but it ended in vain many times, and my blog was left crowded with unwanted widgets then. Initially I was so upset about how I did not get any views or comments and how my blog looked like a mess; I wanted all to happen within overnight, just like soaking chickpeas. But at the same time I was equally excited about my contribution. But day by day with the strength that God gave me, with little efforts and love towards cooking I took tiny-teeny steps that lead me here to this wonderful day of celebration.  I still remember how I clicked with my mobile and felt proud about that click (below pic), and still I am. Though am still not a pro I am aspiring to be a pro food photographer a day.

This was my first step into food photography J
(My first click for blogging)
Chana coconut gravy
From here to here my blogging journey has been a blessed one with lovely friends, amazing readers and supportive subscribers!! I pray and wish God the same continues all throughout the years that I blog! Thank and warm wishes to all who have supported me in some way!! 



Now to celebrate this special occasion I made one of my most favorite chocolate cake with dark chocolate ganache icing. Yum!! the very name makes us drool for a chocolaty slice. You can also name it the Cadbury's cake or the Bournville cake as I have used Cadbury's bournville chocolate, cadbury's coco powder here. Even the ganache is made with bournville. It is so easy to make and there are many versions out there made using an oven, but what about people who don't have one!! So here is the alternative method of making a soft, tasty and chocolaty cake. The pressure cooker method, does yield soft cakes and this one was a hit at home. No one would believe that the cake was done using a pressure cooker unless you prove it. My husband loved it so much that he exclaimed it as the best ever cake that I had made until now. I have sandwiched my cake with cream and iced the cake with dark chocolate ganache that makes the cake taste more rich and chocolaty. Ganache is a finger licking delicious creamy chocolate spread or frosting that just melts in your mouth in every bite and definitely takes you to a chocolaty worldThe cake was so so soft and spongy and every bite was a delight and I thought that it will be the best fitting chocolaty treat that I can give my blog baby for her special day. 

 ♥ Happy Birthday My Dear Blog-gy Baby 
...You are so special to me...





INGREDIENTS

Makes a small cake 
Total Preparation Time - 1 hour 45 minutes
  1. Dark chocolate - 125 grams (I used cadbury's bournville)
  2. Maida / All purpose flour - 125 grams 
  3. Butter - 100 grams (unsalted) 
  4. Boiled milk - 1/2 cup (or) as required
  5. Eggs - 2 
  6. Coco powder - 1 spoon (unsweetened) 
  7. Vanilla essence - 1 tsp 
  8. Baking powder - 2 pinches (or) 1/8 tsp
  9. Sugar - 100 grams (granulated )
  10. Salt - 1 tsp 
For Chocolate Ganache Icing;
  1. Dark chocolate - 60 grams 
  2. Fresh cream - 60 grams 
  3. Milk - 2 spoons (optional) 
  4. Strawberries - Few for decoration purpose
For the middle layer: (optional)
  1. Whipped cream / Double cream / Heavy cream - As required 



PREPARATION METHOD

  • Preheat pressure cooker as shown in the below pic. (Take a pressure cooker and place the separator plate into it and close the cooker with its as shown in the pic. Place this set up on flame and preheat the cooker for about 10 minutes on high flame. Do not place the whistle / regulator, you will not need it. )
  • Grease a round 6 Inch x 2 Inch Cake Pan, with butter and line with parchment or butter paper.
  • Sift (you can use a hand whisk too) all purpose flour (maida), baking powder, salt and coco powder together and set aside. 
  • Double boil the chocolate pieces to melt it. To do this, break the dark chocolate into smaller pieces and add into a heatproof bowl. Take a saucepan pour water into it and place on flame, then place the chocolate bowl inside this sauce pan filled with water and leave undisturbed. Be very cautious to see that the water does not enter the chocolate bowl while boiling. Once it starts melting add some milk and stir well. When it melts well and there are no lumps remove from flame and set aside until it cools.  
  • Take a bowl add butter (softened at room temperature), sugar and beat well using the electric beater for 2 to 3 minutes or until fluffy. 
  • Add one egg first and beat well then add the second and beat well again for 2 to 3 minutes. 
  • Now add the vanilla essence and beat for a minute. Scrape the sides of the bowl with a spatula or spoon and beat for again for a few seconds. 
  • Now add the sifted all purpose flour mixture and fold in (mix) gently using a wooden ladle or spoon. Do not use the beater here. 
  • Now add the melted dark chocolate and stir well until the chocolate blends well with the batter.
  • Then pour the prepared batter into the greased and lined cake tin. 
  • Now place the tin inside the pre-heated pressure cooker over the separator plate and close with the cooker's lid. Do not place the regulator or whistle. (you will not need it throughout the process) 
  • Then switch the flame to medium mode and cook for 45 minutes or until done, check after 30 minutes whether the cake is done, just insert a knife into the cake's center. If the knife comes out clean, then it means the cake is cooked, if not cook for some more minutes. 
  • Once the cake is done remove the cooker from flame, close the cooker and set aside for few minutes. Open after 5 minutes. 
  • Now take the cake pan outside, slide a knife around the sides of the cake and turn the pan upside down and slowly remove the parchment paper, then transfer to a cooling wire rack and set aside until it completely cools down. It may take 30 minutes to an hour depending on the size of the cake. (You can just stop here or just proceed and make the two tier cake)
  • Then slice the cake into two halves by running a knife through the center. Be careful to slice into perfect halves for a better look, I was not much careful and my halves were not identical. 
  • Set the cake aside and prepare the icing now. 


Chocolate Ganache Icing; 
  • To a bowl add cream and double boil it. To do this place the cream filled bowl inside a saucepan (or pan like mine on the pic) containing water and place on flame. (Do not use plastic bowls)
  • Now after a minute add the dark chocolate pieces into it and leave undisturbed. After it starts melting, stir well with a fork/whisk until it blends well and there are no lumps. Then add 2 spoons of milk and stir well.
  • Then remove from flame and give a nice stir and see that the chocolate is smooth, set aside until it cools down. 
  • After it cools down using a beater beat well for 2 to 3 minutes and set aside. You can skip this step and just mix well with a whisk too. (The ganache should not be runny, it should be smooth and thick, but not too thick) 
Middle Layer:
  • Use whipped cream to sandwich the cakes. This step is purely optional. If you don't get whipped cream whip the double cream well until it turns stiff and forms a peak then use it. Just see that the cream is chilled well before whipping. 
  • I also use a powdered whipped cream, where I will just have to add little water to the powder and whip it for a few minutes and then use it on the cakes. It has vanilla flavor and sugar already incorporated in it. 
  • If you are using heavy cream; chill the cream very well. Do not freeze it. Now take a wide bowl and fill it with ice-cold water and some ice-cubes. Place a smaller bowl inside it and pour the chilled cream into it. Then beat on medium speed until you get soft peaks. Then add 1tsp vanilla essence for 100 ml of cream and 1 tsp icing sugar then beat again for a few more seconds. Do not whip too much as it will kinda curdle. 

Assembling the cake: 
(Sorry I could not click pics while assembling the cake but will update it soon)
  • Now place one of the cake slice on a wire rack and spread the whipped cream on it. You can spread as much as you want. I just spread a thin layer. 
  • Now place the other half over this, by placing the sliced side facing the cream. Press gently. 
  • Now pour the chocolate ganache icing over the cake and spread well and evenly all over the cake, even it with a knife or a flat spatula. Or simply just pour down for a smooth finish. 
  • Then decorate with strawberry slices if you wish and spread some grated chocolate over the icing. 
  • Refrigerate until it sets well and then serve.  





TIP 1: The cream layering or sandwiching cake slices is completely optional you can just make the ganache icing and serve!! You can use any kind of dark chocolate or chocolate for making the cake and ganache. 

TIP 2: You can also add some orange zest to the cake. The ganache sets well after refrigeration or after some time. You can just pour over the cake and allow it to smooth-en well if not you can just spread well with a flat spatula.

TIP 3: Be careful not to place the whistle or regulator, here we are not using water to cook the cake, so if you place the whistle or regulator the pressure cooker may explode. 

TIP 4: Do not forget to line the pan or else the cake might stick to the pan.



\


Chocolaty and yummilicious chocolate cake is now ready!! You will definitely love it!!

dark chocolate cake with bournville
Just wanted to show you how soft the cake was!!


Thanks to all my readers, friends and subscribers who had been with me, supporting me and encouraging me all throughout!! Without your support this far would not have been possible!!

Thanks you so much!!!!





J....Thank you friends..!! Hoping to see the same support always...J

66 comments:

  1. Congrats and my hearty wishes. Nice clicks and good post too.Mouth watering here,yummy...

    ReplyDelete
  2. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Happy Blog Anniversary Divya! Always a pleasure to read your blog. Many more anniversary's to come.
    Love & Hugs
    - Lavanya
    www.divalikes.com

    ReplyDelete
  4. aiiyoo who wud say this is made in oven

    u have beaten all the best bakers here this looks so so so good
    i m still not getting the perfect cake here for some reason

    bt wow best eh
    and once again congo for ur blog anniversary

    ReplyDelete
  5. perfect cake for the blog birthday divya................

    ReplyDelete
  6. Congrats Divya.. I keep following ur blog from the beginning.. love ur blog and my best wishes to succeed more..

    ReplyDelete
  7. Congrats dear. wishing many more. cake looks so soft and so yummy

    ReplyDelete
  8. congrats DD...delicious..keep rocking dear

    Ongoing event:
    Celebrate - Easter
    in my blog.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Congrats divvya for your great success. Chocolate frosting cake looks inviting and delicious. Perfect cake for anniversary celebration.

    ReplyDelete
  10. A perfect rich choco cake for blog's anniversary celebration. Awesome dear! Congrats Divy. Wishing you many more to come.........

    ReplyDelete
  11. To my sweetest friend and dearest sister, you are an inspiration to me and I love all the things you do and say. Many times I do feel you are more elder to me in the way you think, speak and cook... nevertheless I am so blessed to have you in my life. And we will always be sisters and friends. You helping nature, caring words and inspiring thoughts have made me feel better, be prouder and get new meanings to life. Although I miss you I still cherish you everyday. May God bless you and take you to new highths and do new things in your life to keep you an inspiration and blessing to many. Written from my heart. Love you today and forever and always

    I know the chocolate cake looks so delicious, but it cannot be as sweet as you :-)

    Hugs & Kisses as your creation turns 1 today
    Priya

    ReplyDelete
  12. Congrats dear... very happy for u... n fantastic write ups n clicks... Thank u for the mouth watering cakes:)

    ReplyDelete
  13. Congrats Divya. Happy Bday to your blog.

    ReplyDelete
  14. congratzz dear...
    lovely presentation as always :)

    ReplyDelete
  15. divya... it feels like yesterday that you started your blog and here you are celebrating your first anniversary... i've always enjoyed your posts, your recipes, no words to tell about your lovely photographs... thank u so much for all the support you are giving me and here's wishing you a long and successful stay in blogosphere!!! God bless... :) and yes, please pass me on a peice of cake, i need that right now!!! :P

    ReplyDelete
  16. Congrats Divya..Nice post and lovely presentation..

    ReplyDelete
  17. Congrats. Long and great post with wonderful photos.

    ReplyDelete
  18. It felt so good reading the post...It was as if I was reading my experiences in the early days of blogging...Congratulations on the milestone and wishing you many more years of successful blogging.
    The cake looks too good!

    ReplyDelete
  19. no words to tell sis:)awesome:)miles to go sis:)super super:)

    ReplyDelete
  20. Congrats divya. Super cake

    ReplyDelete
  21. Congrats Divya!! My hearty wishes to you.
    Lovely cake, I just wanna eat it right here, all i have near by is my oats cracker, man!!!
    Lovely pic, very alluring to say the least!!

    ReplyDelete
  22. Congratulations & God bless you.

    Such a yummy cake. Love it.

    ReplyDelete
  23. COngrats Divya I came in to especially see this cake.i saw it last night on my mobile but the screen was small i wanted to see it clear and big.COngrats and may you go on and on with your blogging/cooking talents!

    ReplyDelete
  24. Congrats Divya,thats a beautiful post,i cant take my eyes from the pics...Excellent cake...

    ReplyDelete
  25. Congrats Divya.....Cant take my eyes off your tempting pictures...

    ReplyDelete
  26. It's always a pleasure reading your post, very well written post, I know u never hesitate to Thank n Praise others n u proved it again in this post...here I appreciate your sincere dedication and all the efforts u put for your blog baby, couldn't believe it's One today n wish ur blog baby a long live n success!!!
    Coming to ur cake, it's my kind of cake n couldn't believe it's made using pressure cooker, it came out so well, soft n moist...delicious too...lovely presentation n pics as always!
    God Bless u dear!! Keep rocking!!Hugs :)

    ReplyDelete
  27. Congrats....yummilicious, lip smacking with an awesome presentation.

    ReplyDelete
  28. WOW Divya ....Once again congrats ..
    What a change in your photography...You rock girl :-)
    ShrutiRasoi
    Today's Recipe
    Egg and Corn Hot Dog

    ReplyDelete
  29. heartiest congratulations divya and wishing u many more...
    cake looks yummy.... would love to have a slice :)

    ReplyDelete
  30. Congrats divya,my hearty wishes to u & ur blog baby...B/W the cake looks absolutely gorgeous.....

    ReplyDelete
  31. The cake is a absolute stunner...wow...congrats on u r success.wishing you many more to come.

    loved u r post,will be very helpful for a newbie.well written.

    ReplyDelete
  32. Congratulations dear Sis! You are a very talented and a humble person which we can see in your writing. Congrtas againa and many more to come...

    ReplyDelete
  33. Wow yummy cake dark chocolate cake perfect for celebration divs :) i like your first click :) i have been enjoying your every single post (except non veg :P) keep up the good work :) happy for you and your blog's b'day dear :) many many many more years to come congratulation divya :)

    ReplyDelete
  34. Happy Blog Anniversary Divya. What a pretty cake I must say, feel like picking up a piece right away. Wishing you many more years of wonderful blogging

    ReplyDelete
  35. Congrats Divya, beautiful and yummy cake to celebrate a milestone. how well you have done it in a pressure cooker. kudos

    ReplyDelete
  36. Happy blog anniversary Dear Divya! wish you many more successful years ahead. Cake looks great perfect for this occasion.

    ReplyDelete
  37. congrats dear..this cake looks wonderful...adorable clicks..can't believe it is prepared in cooker :)

    ReplyDelete
  38. Happy Anniversary and Awesome Pics Dear... Go ahead and ahead...

    ReplyDelete
  39. Congrates for your 1st blog anniversary.. Cake looks superb...

    ReplyDelete
  40. happy blog anniversary divya dear :) once again a beautiful cake made by you :) wish you many more success..

    ReplyDelete
  41. Congrats Divya. Happy birthday to ur blog:) Enjoyed reading ur post. That's very sweet dear. From the minute I saw ur blog, I knew u have a good potential. Love the way u improvised in photography and socializing. way to go girl! continue the good job....love ur blogging style very much! Cake looks very moist and delicious. Superb!

    ReplyDelete
  42. Congrats for your first blog anniversary.Cake looks awesome and clicks too.

    ReplyDelete
  43. Congrats and my heartiest wishes Divya, i know you gonna rock for many more years in this virtual world,so wishing you many more years here..

    Btw cake for absolutely incredibke,droolworthy and prefect for my sweet tooth..

    ReplyDelete
  44. congrats and what a treat for our eyes.

    ReplyDelete
  45. Congrats Divya, the cake looks simply too good, feel like having it straight off the screen..

    ReplyDelete
  46. Happy birthday you too can cook..
    Many many congratulations divya.. Cake looks super delicious and yummy..
    Wish i could grab that slice..

    ReplyDelete
  47. Happy bloggiversary Divya! Congratulations and expecting more from you! btw.. your cake pic looks like magazine ones.. superb click!!
    Krithi's Kitchen

    ReplyDelete
  48. perfect cake for the anniversary congrats divya very happy for u

    ReplyDelete
  49. Happy anniversary...you deserve a big big applause from all our blogger friends...

    ReplyDelete
  50. Wow!!! Congrats and super tempting cake... Its inviting !!!
    http://recipe-excavator.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  51. Happy blog anniversary!! Though it is just one year, it is like I have known you for years..Am so glad to have you as a sister, Divya!!Perfect cake for celebration da..

    ReplyDelete
  52. A very big congrats and a happy blog anniversary dear...hope u go a long long way more....perfect cake for the celebration....and as usual lovely clicks too...

    ReplyDelete
  53. Happy 1st Blogoversary dear! Wish you many many many more years to go...keep rocking! And am so glad to have known you through Bloggywood.

    What a gorgeous cake to celebrate this milestone! ;)

    ReplyDelete
  54. Happy Blog Anniversry!! first time in here, happy to meet you in such a lovely moment :)
    following u ;Do visit mine sometime :)

    ReplyDelete
  55. Yummy. Very detailed method. Really like it.

    ReplyDelete
  56. That was indeed a long post. Congrats on your first anniversary. You have definitely come a long way with your blog and inspiration to us newbies too...

    BTW, never thought that you are a Christian from your name. Praise the Lord

    ReplyDelete
  57. Congrats dear n seeing ur hardwork day by day...Happy for you...

    ReplyDelete
  58. happy anniversary.. Perfect celebration.. cake is so soft and moist

    ReplyDelete
  59. Happy anniversary..cake looks perfect da :)I want to grab it :)

    ReplyDelete
  60. Divya i tried a cooker cake today it was not bad for a first time.i will try it with all ingredients next time which will be pretty soon.thanks for the idea

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. My pleasure Sis :) do keep trying!! <3

      Delete
    2. My pleasure Sis :) do keep trying!! <3

      Delete
  61. i want to try cake in a cooker but have not done it till now... Your cake is looking AWESOME!!!! So good!!! Congratulations on your anniversary Divya... wishing many more celebrations to come...
    Sowmya
    Ongoing Event - HITS - Diabetic Friendly
    Ongoing Event + Giveaway - Italian Dishes

    ReplyDelete
  62. Hi Divya..The cake looks absolute yummmmmm :) I wanna try the same with an otg.could you please help me with the otg settings? TIA

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hey Renuka,
      Bake at 175 degree celsius for 30 to 40 minutes. Just check after 30 minutes to see if your cake is done. And don't forget to preheat the oven for 10 minutes. Try and let me know your feedback :)

      Regards
      Divya

      Delete
  63. Hi, can you substitute milk choc for dark choc

    ReplyDelete

Thanks for the visit. Do drop in your valuable comments and suggestions :) Please do not add any links to your site/blog such comments will not be published. Click on notify me and get notified about my reply to your comments.

Most Loved Recipe

Grilled Chicken Recipe | Indian Style Chicken Grilled

Magazine Features!

Bake Without Oven

Bake Without Oven
Click for recipes

Disclaimer

All photos, and content here are clicked and edited by me. If anyone wishes to use the photos or contents, please get prior permission from the author and then use it. If found stealing will be strictly penalized. Comments are always welcome but spam and comments that seem to hurt any individual will be deleted without prior information.