Alright, fellow food adventurers! Let's talk cake. Not just any cake, but a dark, decadent, chocolatey masterpiece that will have you swooning. I know, I know, 'healthy' and 'cake' don't always hang out, but trust me on this one. We're not here for sad, dry excuses for cake, we're here for a flavour explosion that nourishes the soul (and maybe the body too!).
This recipe, which I like to call my 'Midnight Velvet Cake', takes inspiration from the classic "Black Magic" cake but adds a few twists. Forget overly sweet and artificial, we're focusing on rich, deep flavours and quality ingredients. The secret is in the combination of strong coffee, dark cocoa, and buttermilk creating a perfect balance. The texture is divine, it's moist, it's melt-in-your-mouth, and it's surprisingly easy to whip up. Now, I know some of you might be thinking "Coffee? In a cake?" but fear not! The coffee enhances the chocolate notes without adding a strong coffee flavour, it's pure magic, I promise!
Why This Cake is a Game Changer
- Guilt-Free Indulgence: We're using quality ingredients and avoiding overly processed components, making it a treat you can enjoy without the guilt.
- Flavour Bomb: The combination of dark cocoa, strong coffee and buttermilk delivers a taste sensation that will have everyone asking for the recipe.
- Versatile: It works as a layer cake, a sheet cake or even as cupcakes. A great basis for all occasions.
- Healthy-ish: While it's a dessert, it's packed with antioxidants from the dark chocolate and the buttermilk adds a touch of gut-friendly goodness.
Let's Get Baking!
Here is how to make this magnificent dessert:
Ingredients
- 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour (or gluten free alternative)
- 2 cups unrefined cane sugar
- 3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 2 teaspoons baking soda
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- 2 large organic eggs
- 1 cup freshly brewed strong coffee
- 1 cup buttermilk (or a dairy-free substitute like almond milk with lemon juice)
- 1/2 cup good quality light olive oil
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
For the Cream Cheese Frosting:
- Two 8-ounce packages of softened cream cheese (or a vegan alternative like cashew cream)
- 1/2 cup of softened unsalted butter (or coconut oil for a vegan option)
- 2 cups of confectioners sugar (or date sugar for a less refined option)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat & Prep: Get that oven humming at 350 degrees Fahrenheit and grease your 9-inch round baking pans (or a 9x13 inch pan).
- Dry Mix: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, cocoa, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.
- Wet Mix: Make a well in the centre, and add the eggs, coffee, buttermilk, olive oil and vanilla extract.
- Combine: Mix for about 2 minutes on medium speed or until well combined, the batter will be quite thin.
- Bake: Pour the batter into the prepared pans and bake for 30-40 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean from the centre.
- Cool: Let the cakes cool in the pans for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Frosting: While the cake is cooling, whip up that creamy frosting. In a medium bowl, cream the softened cream cheese and butter until nice and fluffy. Mix in the vanilla and then gradually add the confectioner’s sugar until you reach your desired spreading consistency.
- Assemble: Once the cake is completely cool, spread the frosting between the layers and over the top of the cake.
Top Tips
- Coffee: Use a strong, freshly brewed coffee, this is the key to its flavour.
- Buttermilk: If you don't have buttermilk, simply add 1 tablespoon of lemon juice to a cup of milk and let it sit for 5 minutes.
- Frosting: Feel free to experiment with different flavour extracts or even some citrus zest in the frosting for a twist.
- Decoration: Fresh berries are a great way to add a pop of colour and extra freshness to your finished cake.
Planning it all with Menuistia
Now, here's the best part. If you're anything like me, you're always looking for ways to make healthy eating easier and more fun. That's where Menuistia comes in! This amazing app is your best friend for creating personalised meal plans and making sure you're on track with your health goals. You can add your new favourite recipes and track your favourite healthy meals and more! Here's how it integrates perfectly with this cake:
- Balance: Use Menuistia to plan the rest of your meals for the day, making sure your indulgence fits into your overall healthy eating strategy.
- Customisation: You can adapt this recipe in Menuistia to fit your dietary preferences, adding substitutions and tracking nutritional information.
- Planning: Add the cake to your weekend menu, knowing you've got a balanced and delicious eating plan for the rest of the week, this makes you feel totally at peace!
So there you have it, a decadent dark chocolate cake that won’t derail your healthy lifestyle. It’s all about balance and enjoying life's little pleasures, and with tools like Menuistia, it's easier than ever to have the best of both worlds. Happy baking!