DEVIL'S FOOD CAKE WITH STRAWBERRIES: GUEST POST BY ARCHANA S. NAYAK

DEVIL'S FOOD CAKE WITH STRAWBERRIES: GUEST POST BY ARCHANA S. NAYAK

When I was young, Mother's Day was an unknown phenomenon in the India in which I grew up. Nowadays of course it has become common practice to celebrate Mother's Day here too. I am particularly delighted to present today a guest post by my daughter on the occasion of Mother's Day.

Here is a Devil's Food Cake With Strawberries from Archana. I am so proud of her.

Ingredients:

• 3/4 cup butter (unsalted at room temperature)
• 1 1/2 cup sugar
• 1 1/2 teaspoon vanilla essence
• 3 eggs
• 1/2 cup buttermilk
• 80 ml water
• 1 1/4 cup flour
• 80 g cocoa powder
• 1 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
• 8-10 strawberries (or other red fruits)
• 3 heaped tablespoons chocochips

Optional

• 1/2 teaspoon red food coloring (optional)

For the Ganache

• 150ml cream
• 170g dark chocolate (coarsely chopped)

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 160 C. Grease a baking tin with a diameter of 20 cm (and preferably with high sides) and line with baking paper.
Mix butter, sugar and vanilla until the mixture is light and fluffy and then add the eggs one by one.
In a separate bowl mix buttermilk, water and food color. Fold the flour, cocoa powder and baking soda through the mixture and then fold the buttermilk mixture in as well.
Pour the batter into the baking tin and bake for about 50 minutes or until done. Protect the top of the cake - if you need to - with aluminium foil if it becomes too dark. The cake should spring back lightly when touched in the center. Let it cool completely on a wire rack before frosting.
Heat the cream over medium heat until it almost boils and pour over the chocolate. Let the chocolate melt while stirring until smooth. Leave to cool down to room temperature until it thickens.
Spread the ganache on top and around the cake bit by bit using a spatula. Then place in fridge for 20 mins to set this "crumb coating". Pour ganache on top of the cake again, coating the top and sides neatly.
Gently scoop up a bunch of chocochips and press into the cake sides so that they stick uniformly all around. Decorate top of the cake with strawberries and chocolate shavings. Place on plate or cake stand to set. Enjoy!