Tuesday 17 January 2012

Old-Fashioned Chocolate Cake

If you've been reading this blog for sometime, I'm sure you've heard of my work colleague and dear friend Michelle who is often known as the girl who doesn't eat gluten (and has no dragon tattoo). Michelle comes around quite often to mine for dinner or just a cup of coffee and the best thing about having her around, apart from the wonderful company, is she'll then do all washing up!

Last Friday was her last working day as she got a new job at a different department. I am happy for her for getting the job, but sad at the same time though she's only moving to a different building. On her last day I baked this old-fashioned chocolate cake for her. For obvious reason that Michelle is allergic to gluten, I swapped the all-purpose/plain flour with gluten-free flour and I added a bit more sour cream for extra moisture and it worked fine. Also to really bring out the chocolate flavour, I added a couple teaspoons of instant espresso powder to the batter.

The sugar flower decorations are purely for aesthetic reason and there is no need for them; the cake is lovely as it is, but I just can't help it. In the book, Nigella puts some flowery decorations on the cake and I just had to do the same.  


Also not forgetting to mention, this is my entry for this month's Forever Nigella challenge hosted by Maison Cupcake.

Old-Fashioned Chocolate Cake
Recipe by Nigella Lawson
For list of ingredients and instructions, click here.
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13 comments:

  1. Manu17 January 2012 at 19:57

    Wow I love Nigella's cakes!!Yours looks delicious.
    LOL

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  2. suituapui17 January 2012 at 22:36

    Have to cut...show the texture inside. LOL!!!

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  3. Anna's kitchen table17 January 2012 at 22:53

    Michael, this is my bestest chocolate cake, EVER in the history of chocolate cakes!!! ;)))

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  4. Joanie17 January 2012 at 23:37

    WOW! Glad you have the new book of Jamie as one of your current reads. I want to buy it last year as I supposed to be coming to England but I am still here in Italy maybe I just order online. AGain your chocolate looks delish :)

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  5. Maureen17 January 2012 at 23:50

    My best friend is also gluten free and I never know what to have when she visits. This cake is perfect! Looks fantastic too.

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  6. Zoe18 January 2012 at 02:32

    Good to know that this recipe works well with gluten free flour and I would love to bookmark this recipe to bake for my colleague who is too suffer from celiac.

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  7. Unknown18 January 2012 at 12:28

    A simple cake - yet there is nothing simple about the flavors, I'm sure! You are a good friend to Michelle.. sorry she's moving to a different building, but what a great little send off gift!

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  8. Phil in the Kitchen18 January 2012 at 16:16

    I like an old-fashioned cake - looks delicious. Very fetching flowery decorations.

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  9. Velva19 January 2012 at 01:01

    Cheers to your friend!

    This chocolate cake recipe (gluten-free) is proof that simple is best.

    beautiful.
    Velva

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  10. Pam19 January 2012 at 02:04

    How sweet of you to make Michelle a great cake! I bet you are very popular at the office! The cake looks delicious and I'd love to have a slice!

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  11. Elisabeth19 January 2012 at 16:13

    Michael-you are such a good friend to Michelle, I would wash and clean up as well, if someone made me dinner, and/or bake such a beautiful chocolate cake. I bookmarked the Nigella recipe!

    In my case, I always make the dinners, but my daughter Lora bakes the cakes, so we're even!
    But in case with friends, I always do the cooking, and yes; they clean up, so it's a fair thing to do:DDD

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  12. Angela M - Garden Tea Cakes and Me21 January 2012 at 15:59

    What a lovely cake, I'll have a large slice please although I suspect its long gone!

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  13. Unknown21 January 2012 at 17:15

    Great to hear this cake works well as a gluten free version. Thanks for taking part in Forever Nigella!

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