MAHOGANY CAKE with FUDGE FROSTING ~ with 4 tablespoons of Cocoa ~

Recently I recieved an order for a birthday cake. While the cake baked and the house was wrapped in it's aroma, I had my brother pestering me for a slice of it :) He knew he wouldn't get a piece from my hands, so he pinched a bit from all 4 corners of the cake...he made sure that they were very even looking so that I wouldn't doubt him! LOL! And I did doubt him :) But they were too tiny and could be filled with a ganache.

And I had never-ending requests for a chocolate cake since then. Unfortunately I ran out of my stock for cocoa powder, which rarely ever happens in our house! But when I digged into my precious li'l cupboard wherein all my goods for baking are stocked, I found an almost empty packet of cocoa. And when I measured it, it had just 4 tablespoons of cocoa. Now, I shall somehow try and bake him a chocolate cake :) And I DID! :) Look what a loving sister he had! And that too with a frosting! :)

He was sleeping while I baked. And when he woke up he had this huge grin because he could get the smell of the cake. He ran towards it with a knife, and I ran from the opposite side and hugged the cake! LOL! Remember my rule? No one in my house ever gets a piece until I finish my photosession :) And so he waited...patiently ! :) 

MAHOGANY CAKE with FUDGE FROSTING

Recipe source for the cake: Geetha aunty

Recipe source for the frosting: Beeji aunty

Flour- 1 1/3 cups

Eggs-2

Boiling water- 1/2 cup

Cocoa powder-2tbsp

Instant coffee powder-2tsp

Powdered sugar-1 cup

Unsalted butter-150g

Baking soda-3/4 tsp

Vinegar-1/2 tsp

Salt-1 tsp [Omit if using salted/regular butter]

Vanilla extract-1 tsp

Method:

• Pre-heat  the oven to 180 degrees.
  
• Grease ,dust and line a baking tin.
• Dissolve coffee powder in boiled water. Add cocoa powder to it and stir well.
  
• Sieve flour with baking soda and salt[if using unsalted butter].
  
• Cream butter till light and almost white like. Add sugar and beat till fluffy.
  
• Add the eggs, and beat till well combined.
  
• Add vinegar & vanilla. [The mixture might look curdled, but do not worry, it will be alright once you add in the flour]
  
• Add flour alternating with coffee-cocoa mixture. Beat after every addition.
  
• Pour into the prepared tin and bake for 1 hour.

Fudge Frosting

Ingredients:

Cocoa-2 tbsp

Milk-3tbsp

Butter-50 g

Icing sugar-225 g

Caster sugar-75g

Vanilla-1/2 tsp

Method:

• Mix cocoa and icing sugar in a medium sized bowl.
  
• Melt butter, caster sugar and milk together till the sugar dissolved on meduim flame.
  
• Once it is melted, bring to a roaring boil and pour over the cocoa-icing sugar mixture.
  
• Stir well with a wooden spoon till well mixed and fluffy.
  
• Stir till the mixture cools down a bit.
  
• Pour over the cake and level it.
  

This icing hardens very soon, so just in case you  are new to decorating cakes, keep a bowl or warm water next to you. So that in case the frosting hardens, dip your offset spatula/spoon/ knife into the warm water and wipe it clean with a kitchen towel and level the frosting. It will give you a good finish. You can also use the hardened frosting to pipe rosettes on the cake.

This cake was a HIT at home. It is real soft & moist.Once you try this, I am sure it will be your favourite! My brother finished 3/4th of the cake by night and I am having the remaining bit now, while I type this post out. Mmmmmmmmm....