Saturday 3 October 2015

Chocolate magic custard cake


When I was little, Children's Day was celebrated on the 1st of October. I recall receiving little gifts from my teachers in primary school, and they would perform on stage for us on that very special day. Since 2011, Children's Day in SG was shifted to the first Friday of October. This change does not resonate with me (call me ol'fashioned)... But then again, this day is celebrated on various days in different parts of the world - 1st June and 20th September in Germany, 4th April in Hong Kong and Taiwan, 1st Monday of October in Sweden... and you get my drift.

Children's Day is recognised and established to honour children globally. It is not just a day-off-from-school, not simply just a holiday. It is to bring awareness to children around the globe that have succumbed to violence in forms of abuse, exploitation and discrimination.

"Millions of children around the world are exploited, abused, and discriminated against. They need special protection to promote their physical, mental, spiritual, moral, and social development. These children include child labourers, children affected by armed conflict, sexually exploited children, children in conflict with the law or in the care of the state, as well as children living on the streets, coping with disabilities, or suffering from discrimination because of their religious or ethnic-minority status." from: Children's human rights

I believe children should be celebrated for who they are. These are the people making the vital decisions on how the world will be like in the future. A better childhood, a better education, a better tomorrow.


On a lighter note, the child in me wanted a little chocolate fix! Making a magic custard cake seems pretty much in line with celebrating Children's Day, even more so a chocolate one!

Also known as the magical 3-layered cake, whipping up this exceptional little dessert isn't as tedious as it sounds. It is made up of 3 layers: a light top, a custard-like middle, and a dense bottom. Despite the layered formation, this cake is made up of only one batter (that "miraculously" separates itself during the baking process).


The key to making this cake is the temperature of the ingredients - they have to be all about room temperature when preparing the batter. The melted butter and warmed milk have to be lukewarm before adding them into the batter.


When the cake is done, cool it completely before attempting to slice it. If feeling a little impatient about the wait, the cake can be cooled faster in the fridge. Dust with some icing sugar or cocoa powder and garnish with some berries before serving! Happy Children's Day!

What?
  • 50 g butter
  • 1 cup milk
  • 60 g plain flour
  • 20 g cocoa powder
  • 2 eggs, separated
  • 100 g icing sugar, and some for dusting
  • 1 tbsp espresso
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • raspberries for garnish (optional)
How?
  1. Melt the butter leave it to cool.
  2. Warm the milk and leave it to cool.
  3. Whisk together the flour and cocoa powder.
  4. In a separate bowl, beat the egg whites until stiff peaks form.
  5. In another bowl, beat the egg yolks and icing sugar together. Add in the melted butter, espresso and vanilla extract and mix until combined.
  6. To the mixed batter, add the flour and cocoa powder mixture and stir.
  7. Slowly add in the milk and gently whisk until combined. The batter will be thin and watery at this stage.
  8. Fold in the egg whites. 
  9. Pour the batter into a 4" x 8" baking dish, lined with parchment paper.
  10. Bake in a preheated oven at 160 degC for 45-50 minutes, or until the top is evening browned The centre will still be jingly when gently shaken.
  11. Cool the cake completely before cutting. Dust and adorn with icing sugar and berries.
Adapted from: whiteonricecouple.com

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