Thursday, August 2, 2012

Rachel Allen's Chocolate Cake,a Product Review & Giveaway!

Rachel Allen's Chocolate Cake

I don't know how many times I've admitted it here,but saying it again anyway.I love a good chocolate cake.Any occasion which demands a cake has to be chocolate for me.Very rarely do I enjoy being a non-chocoholic when I bake stuff like these,but however it is chocolate all the way for me.(tell me how many times I've said chocolate in this paragraph and you'll win this giveaway-hehe,just kidding!)

Rachel Allen's Bake is one show I never miss on TLC.Though at times I feel she overdoes it a bit,her recipes are awesome.Her cooking classes even better.This chocolate cake featured in one of her cooking classes and the ease at which it could be made tempted me.I wrote down the recipe and planned to try it at the next opportunity.Sadly,it was forgotten soon after.
Rachel Allen's Chocolate Cake

Few days back,I saw a re-run of the same episode and I told myself I shouldn't delay baking this any further.Any cake recipe which calls for a good amount of frosting makes me sit up.I try not to put too much frosting on my cakes,but what is a good chocolate cake without a great amount of chocolate frosting on it anyway.
Rachel Allen's Chocolate Cake

I got the perfect reason to indulge when Neelam of Urbandazzle sent me this beautiful cake platter to review.I've always wanted to own a cake platter to show off the cakes I bake,but due to the limited options available,had to resort to dessert plates.This Palladio Footed Cake platter solves the misery for me by being the perfect platter to showcase this sinful chocolate cake.
Rachel Allen's Chocolate Cake

Rachel Allen's Chocolate Cake

Ingredients

Dark Chocolate - 125gms / 4 1/2oz
Milk - 3 tbsp
Butter,softened - 150gms / 5oz
Caster Sugar - 150 gms / 5oz
Eggs - 3
Flour - 200gms / 7oz
Baking powder - 1 tsp
Baking soda - 1/4 tsp

Method

Preheat oven to 180C.Grease/Line two 8' pans.
Rachel Allen's Chocolate Cake-step2 
Place the chocolate and milk in a microproof bowl and microwave on full power for 1 minute.Stir well to get a smooth mixture.
OR
Place the chocolate and the milk in a bowl sitting over a saucepan of gently simmering water and heat until then chocolate has melted.
Rachel Allen's Chocolate Cake-step1 
Sift together flour,baking powder and baking soda.Reserve.
Rachel Allen's Chocolate Cake-step3 
Beat the butter till soft and then mix in the caster sugar and beat together till creamy.
Mix in the eggs one at a time beating well for one minute after each addition.
Rachel Allen's Chocolate Cake-step4 
Fold in the melted(and cooled) chocolate.
Add the flour mix and fold in gently to mix.I did this in three lots and used my hand mixer for the first two lots and then used my spatula for the last lot.
Divide the mixture between two tins and bake for 25-30 minutes or until a skewer inserted into the middle of the cake comes out clean.
Rachel Allen's Chocolate Cake-step5 
Remove the cakes from the oven and allow to sit for a few minutes before turning them out of their tins and placing on a wire rack to cool.
Rachel Allen's Chocolate Cake

 
Chocolate Buttercream Icing

Ingredients

Softened butter - 1/2 cup/100 gms
Icing sugar - 2 cups(I used powdered sugar which makes the frosting a bit grainy)
Cocoa powder - 2 tbsp
Boiling water - 2 tbsp

Method
Rachel Allen's Chocolate Cake-step6 
Mix together cocoa and boiling water to a smooth paste.Let it cool.
Beat together butter and icing sugar till creamy.Fold in the cooled cocoa paste and mix together to form a smooth icing.
Rachel Allen's Chocolate Cake

Assembling the cake
In a cake platter place one of the cakes and apply 1/3 of the frosting on top.Place the other cake on top and put another 1/3 of the icing to cover the top and use the rest to coat the sides.
Top with sprinkles or silver dragees.
Urban Dazzle Product Review & Giveaway 

Much has been written about how difficult it is to procure bakeware and baking tools in India.Not anymore.Check out Urban dazzle for some amazing collection of bakeware,which includes Ramekins,Springform tins,Brioche tins,Silicone pans,Glassware etc.They also have in store Cheese Domes,Tiered plates(perfect to showcase those pretty cupcakes!)and not to forget those pretty Cake plates I've longed to own.

They have a wide variety of Kitchen essentials too.Non-stick cookware,Mixing bowls and a Home Bakery Mini Breadmaker too.
The packing is immaculate.Makes sure what you've ordered for doesn't come in bits and pieces(what a horror!)

And here's the most interesting part.Urban Dazzle is offering a Giveaway to one of the lucky readers of Easycooking.

All you have to do is comment on this post.You can say a word or two about what you wish to own or what you wish to see in the bakeware list or just anything.
The lucky winner gets a Devnow Ceramics Ramekin with Cover(set of 3 pieces).So what are you waiting for-start commenting!

I will be picking a random winner on 7/08/12.  Giveaway is closed.

Disclaimer - The Cake platter was sent to me by UrbanDazzle as part of a product review.The Giveaway too is sponsored by them.

65 comments:

  1. The cake looks so so good.
    The giveaway is so so tempting too. Oh I would love to own almost all those in their list, a breadmaker may top the list coz those at home are all gonna raise their brows if I buy one myself.

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  2. Ramekins , just love them. Waiting to try molten lava cakes in them

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  4. The cake looks perfect Divya :) Love the second pic!

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  5. Hii Divya,

    I have made a long wishlist in the urban dazzle site after seeing it for the first time on your blog..I was'nt really aware that all these bakeware could be procured in India.Totally loved their collection of center pieces.In the near future i see myself buying a center piece and banquet footed plate , just like the lucky lady -You ;)received from urban dazzle :)Also i think they can stock more baking tools for icing ,measuring cups/spoons,muffin trays , barbecue etc..yes, the list is long for foodies like me :D take care and wish me luck ..
    cheers
    Priya

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  6. Chef Divya,

    I would like to have this cake on my birthday :) Are you ready to make this for me? You're superb as always and keeps on amazing us with your dishes. Keep up the good work. Kudos !

    Ariya

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  7. deliciously delicious..... saadepunjab.com

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  8. Hello Divya,

    That looks sinfully delicious!!
    Thanks a lot for posting yet another wonderful chocolate recipe...I too am huge fan of the cookery shows on TLC, esp Nigella,Rachell ALlen and Kylie Kwong. Its such a pleasure to just watch them whip up these tasty treats!!!
    The Urban Dazzle's collection is to put it in one word Dazzling :)...
    Never knew we could get such a variety of bakeware in India.
    Oh and btw pick me pick pick me :)!!!!!!!!

    Love
    Manju

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  9. Hey Divya,

    Oh btw forgot to mention that the Urban Dazzle site is very addictive, you can just go through it and keep looking at the lovely pieces they have.
    Everything looks so pretty and chic!!
    Would love to win them in a giveway ;)!!! No pressure :D .

    Love,
    Manju

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  10. The cake looks lovely! I love Rachel Allen too! I really want to get a springfoam pan and little tart pans.

    Preeti

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  11. wow...your cake looks yumm...love the grainy look...i would love a nice baking dish to do some great pies in my convection...;-)

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  12. Wow... Awesome looking cake... And the cake platter looks amazing... would love to have one ;)

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  13. It was nice to know about urbandazzle. checked out their website & they have an impressive set of bakeware. :-). the cake look super delicious is an understatement. that piece of cake is literally calling me :D

    Soro

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  14. The cake slice in the last click look so soft and moist..and good to know about a new hunting spot for my bake ware. Thanks for your wishes, Divya.

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  15. The embellishment on the cake is drool worthy. I am sure the cake be equally good.

    Would love to have measuring spoons, measuring scales and some differently shaped baking dishes.

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  16. Love the cake. I always love Rachel Allen shows but never got down to baking her recipes. This one is beckoning me. Thanks will try it outasap.
    Also saw the urban dazzle website. They had me drooling. Wish I can get some of the cookware from there like the ramekins, moulds and the herb mincers, cherry and olives pitter.

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  17. Cake looks gorgeous :) I luv that cake stand :)

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  18. The cake looks so deliciously crunchy Divya :). Can I cook this in a microwave oven too? Somehow the cakes I bake in my microwave oven does not come so crunchy and my husband forbids me to try anymore baking because of this :(.

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  19. Hi, I have been silently reading your blog! Thanks for being an inspiration.
    Love the blog and the recipies.
    Love Rachel Allen but we dont get TLC at home :(
    I catch up on you tube.

    Good luck with the baking !

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  20. Lovely cake Divya.Looks delicious..I too love her shows on TLC...
    After seeing your review in the earlier post on bakeware,ramekins were the first thing that I added to my wish cart.Hope I win this ,keeping my fingers crosed :)

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  21. That piece of cake looks very soft,moist and fluffy Divya..I really liked their website and would love 2 buy a lot of stuff from their site..their ramekins look quite nice..

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  22. Yummy n mouthwatering cake! Loved the way you decorated it :)
    I always love to make new baking experiments at home..so nice to see the baking ware collection of Urban Dazzle! Wanna have MARINEX dish bowls for my cooking and also some ceramic moulds :)

    Cheers!
    Vani

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  23. hi divya, lovely cake so tempting ...... loved ur way of presentation. yes i visited this site urbandazzle so many times but not ordered anything so far.....

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  24. Loved the last picture, looks so moist and the color is so inviting! I checked out urban dazzle too and also sent the link to some friends always looking for bakeware in India. Their bundt pan looks awesome!

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  25. Divya, its a real wonderful cake.. Love to taste it ... :)

    http://recipe-excavator.blogspot.com

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  26. Thanks for the info Divya, i would love to own ramekins ofcourse n some kitchen essentials from them.

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  27. cake looks super tempting with the soft texture....Drooling ...
    Checked their site..I am so excited to hear the giveaway news...Hoping to win ;-)
    I would love to have Ruffled Individual Pie Dish and ramekins ...keeping my fingers crossed

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  28. I can completely understand and relate to your love for the most sinful stuff on earth..Chocolate. The cake looks deliciously heavenly!!
    Loved your post and the amazing product review. I would love to acquire their Tiered plates and Ramekins .

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  29. The cake looks super moist and yum, love the frosting!

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  30. The cake and the cake platter looks awesome Div! Lovely giveaway!

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  31. A chocolate cake is always welcome. That cake looks delicious. Urban Dazzle looks super interesting. Would love to win!

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  32. That's my kind of cake! It looks absolutely delicious.

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  33. All I want is that "Devnow Ceramics Ramekin with Cover(set of 3 pieces)" . O random picker... please pick me :P :P :)

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  34. Hey Divya,

    The cake looks lovely.. cant wait to try the chocolate cake recipe myself... and after seeing the urbandazzle site i have a long list of things i want.. the baking sheets...there is the cake platter..the beautiful pie dishes... oh there are soo many things...but for now i'd settle for the ramekins. :)hehe

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  35. This is a really beautiful post, and I think I have a friend I need to make this cake for. I am sure he will love it. Thank you.

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  36. wow.. a chocolate cake again. super moist and yummy. I wish I could win that ceramic ramekin set... i keep my fingers crossed.

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  37. wowwwwy!!! hey..whenever i see a giveaway in your post,i get really excited to win it atleast once!!i must thank u for all ur receipes,u know,u save me whenever i get confused wat to make..anytime!!and ur blog is the source or i must say a channel through which i could get connected to other wonderful bloggers:) hey..give me anything from "urban dazzle".. i am loving it!!:)) thanks for tempting me to comment;)

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  38. as usual a wonderful cake divya...luks absolutely delicious and a very elegant cake stand also....."urban dazzle' is really very informative for those of us who find it very difficult to get such bakeware in india.....

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  39. Let me try this cake now.. I am a big time chocolate cake lover too... :-)

    Anu Ragesh

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  40. The cake looks so moist, yummy, delicious and lovely. A perfectly baked cake and also the butter cream icing looks yummmmm. I love to have tart pans.

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  41. janepatience@yahoo.comAugust 4, 2012 at 9:39 AM

    Love the little tiered ramekins. Man, that cake looks good. I'm mentally counting up the ounces of chocolate I have in the freezer to see if I have enough to make this NOW.

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  42. That cake looks absolutely decadent, especially the first pic. Makes me grab the entire cake and devour it all by myself. I love that cake stand of yours, pretty and elegant. Hope to see more cakes coming up with that cake stand in your kitty!

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  43. Omg, cake looks absolutely divine and highly addictive. Wish to have those tart pans.

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  44. So so so yummy Divya! How do you bake all this and maintain your figure? Will try this :-)

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  45. lovely looking cake.. nicely decorated

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  46. Cake looks perfect...will definitely try it out :)

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  47. Hi Divya.. I baked my first cake using your recipe and then its been a great ride all along. Love your brownies and Nan Khatais the most.. Admire the tiny details you take care of .. Here's to more baking and lots of chocolate :D

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  48. HI Divya,

    Cake looks sooo yummy. Going to bake it for my aunt this weekend as its her birthday. Im sure she'll love it..
    I would love to win the Devnow Ceramics Ramekin with cover because ive been sooo wanting this for a long time now.. Went to home centre recently and they didnt have it. If i win it, first thing im goign to do is bake a choco lava cake :) yummmy!!

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  49. Hi divya, This cake looks awesomely delicious..it was yumm yumm yumm!!!!! Somehow my frosting always seems to get little runny..any ideas why?? Love the urbandazzle connection...have been looking at soo many places for those ramekins..would def love to have those :))

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  50. Love the recipes u put up especially that now u add photos to it... You make it sound that its possible to make such yummy looking stuff:-)... The review that u did of the baking products was useful, becoz I didn't know all this stuff were available in India... Wanted to get those lovely looking ramekins to make lava cakes & fruit crumble...

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  51. The cake piece looks so yummy-licious..will be baking it soon...3 cheers to Urban Dazzle - a great boon to the aspiring & passionate home bakers in India..So now, no more excuses..lets all apron up and bake with Divya & Urban Dazzle :)

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  52. The cake defn looks awesome! Will have to try it out sometime. The ramekins look real good too :)

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  53. Hi Divya!
    You haf always been my 1st stop to any recipe. N i haf never been disappointed.. M sorry i haf always been a mute admirer of urs but hopin to change that.... N Really had no idea we in india had a place (even if online) to buy al bakeware essentials.. Thanks fr the info in this post n ur previous too.. Yesss i do wish to own each n every item of urban dazzle.. Would love to start d trend by winnin this ramekins fr now :)..
    Love d cake chef! You rock!
    Shraddha..

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  54. Thanks for hosting this giveaway!
    It's tough to choose any one item from UrbanDazzle, since almost everything looks great there.

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  55. chocolatey chocolate cake...looks like a chocolate dream! :)

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  56. chocolatey chocolate cake...looks like a chocolate dream! :)

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  57. Thanks for the giveaway...would love to win any kind of bakeware...

    ramvinayak_81@rediffmail.com

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  58. It looks so soft and moist :)gonna try tis weekend!happy to follow u :)

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  59. Thanks for the easy to follow steps and pictures. Tomorrow, I am going to try make cup cakes out of this recipe. I will let you know how that goes!

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  60. awsum cake...tell me if i wish to bake half of the recipie...n divide all the ingridients into half..will the cake come out good.

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  61. Mesmerizing cake! Loved the decoration.

    Cheers!
    lyfboat

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Love,
Divya.