Zebra Cake

We had been to the Zoo few days back. I would not know why,the Zebra really caught my fancy . I thought I should bake a cookie with stripes, but then I came across a Zebra cake recipe.
So, why not bake a 'Zebra Cake'.
This cake looks similar to a marble cake, but with perfect stripes. For a marble cake, we would pour the plain cake batter and the chocolate cake batter in the cake tin and then use a fork or a skewer to make patterns. But for a Zebra pattern cake, we need to alternatively pour the different colour cake batter on top of the other. A very simple technique, the cake is a perfect beauty.

Zebra Cake

Ingredients:

All purpose Flour-2 1/2 cups
Sugar- 1 1/4 cup
Salt-1 tsp
Baking Powder-2 1/4 tsp
Cocoa Powder- 4 tbsp
Milk- 1 cup+1 /4 cup
Oil- 3/4 cup
Vanilla Extract - 1 tsp
Eggs - 4



Method:
1.Pre-heat the oven to 170 degrees celcius. Sift flour, salt, and baking powder in a large bowl.
2.Beat the eggs well.
3.Combine the sugar,oil,1 cup of milk,vanilla extract and the beaten eggs in another bowl with the help of a electric hand mixer or a stand mixer.
4.Add the dry ingredients little by little to the oil-egg mixture.
5.Divide this cake batter into two halves.
6.Take one portion of the cake batter and add cocoa powder to it. Now you would notice that the batter has become stiff, just add 1/4 cup ( or less )of milk to it to bring it back to the same consistency. 
7.Prepare a cake tin and line with parchment paper.
8.In the cake tin, pour a ladle of the plain cake batter and then pour the chocolate cake batter right in the centre . See pic below ...

9.Repeat  this procedure ,but alternatively pouring the different colour cake batter.

10.Bake for 35 to 40 minutes in a 170 degrees centigrade.
11.Cool on a wire rack.


Everyone at home was so fascinated by the cake , I did not have the opportunity to click a picture of a sliced cake. There was nothing left  :)


Note: Just to jazz it further, I have used a tooth pick and drawn a line across all the circles. This patter would appear only on top of the cake.

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Old Fashioned Chocolate Cake

'No Eggs,no butter, and you call this a chocolate cake'. This was my first thought when I came across this recipe.Chocolate cake is a cake flavoured with melted chocolate or cocoa powder.Rocket science!! :D

The main ingredient being the cocoa powder, plays a great role in the kind of colour and flavour, so just be sure to buy a good quality one.

One benefit of using oil, instead of butter is that the cake remains soft when refrigerated and has a character in itself.This cake has a very tender crumb and is goes excellently well with a hot cup of coffee.




Chocolate Cake..how old fashioned!!

Ingredients:

All purpose Flour - 1 1/2 cups
Cocoa Powder - 1/4 cup
Sugar - 1 cup
Baking Powder - 3 1/4 tsp (I ran out of Baking soda while baking it,if you are using baking soda,the proportion would be Baking Powder: 1 tsp and Baking Soda : 3/4 tsp)
Vegetable oil - 1/4 cup
Warm water -  1 cup

Method:

1.In a large bowl, take the flour,cocoa powder,sugar and baking powder .Mix well until all the dry ingredients are combined.
2.Now add the vegetable oil and warm water and mix well until no lumps are visible.
3.Preheat the oven for 10 minutes at 150 degrees centigrade.
4.Bake the cake for 30 minutes at 150 degrees centigrade on the centre rack.As I have a fan oven, so 150 deg centigrade was ideal ,otherwise increase the temperature by 20 degrees.

5.Check if the cake is done by inserting a skewer which should come out clean.
6.Allow it to cool, and serve with a hot cuppa.

Few weeks ago, I had read this quote in the Reader's Digest Magazine ; just could not resist mentioning it here...

' Lets face it, a nice creamy chocolate cake does a lot for a lot of people, and it does for me' - Audrey Hepburn

 She was so right !!

If you stop by,please do to leave a comment.

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Nutella Bread Pudding

Bread pudding was something which I wanted to try for quite a long time.Puddings are usually a combination of milk and sugar, but this was quite different from the usual bread and butter pudding so I decided to go ahead making this. I had found this recipe thru one of the heavenly looking Pinterest images.The result was hard to beat and every spoonful was so comforting and yummy.



Nutella Bread Pudding

Ingredients:

Sweet Tea Buns - 6 (or) White Bread - 10 slices
Nutella - 10 tbsp
Eggs - 2
Fresh Cream - 200 ml
Milk - 1 cup
Sugar - 1/2 cup
Salt - 1 pinch
Vanilla Extract - 1 tsp

Method:
1.Cut the buns into halves and apply generous amount of Nutella ,keep aside.
2.In a bowl combine the eggs, cream, salt,milk, vanilla extract and sugar with a hand mixer until combined well. I have used Amul Fresh Cream 200 ml tetra pack.Adjust the quantity of sugar as there is much of sweetness with the buns and the nutella.
3.Grease a borosil container with little butter. Arrange the buns with nutella applied on them as shown in the picture below.

4.Now pour the milk and egg mixture on them. With a help of a spoon , gently press all buns, so that they are well immersed in the milk n egg mixture. 
5.Preheat the oven for  180 degrees centigrade for 10 minutes.
6.Bake the pudding covered with an aluminium foil for 60 minutes.

Irresistably délicieux !

Tip: If you want to make the pudding more yummy, add 4 tbsp of butter to the milk n egg mixture.

If you stop by,please do to leave a comment.

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Chocolate Cake

Perfect for get-togethers, this is a great recipe for an easy, foolproof chocolate cake full of chocolate chips. It’s moist n fudgy, and nutella goes so well with it.



Chocolate Nutella Cake

Ingredients:

  All Purpose Flour-2 cups
  Soda-bi-carbonate-1 tsp
  Baking Powder-1 1/2 tsp
  Salt-1/2tsp
  Cocoa Powder - 6 tbsp
  Eggs-3
  Sugar-1 1/4 cup
  Olive Oil- 1 cup
  Chocolate Essence - 1 tsp
  Milk- 1/2 cup
  Nutella Spread - 10 tbsp 
  Choco chips - 4tbsp + 4tbsp

Method:

 

  1.Sieve flour, Baking powder ,Baking Soda, Salt and cocoa powder for 5-6 times. This is basically to incorporate air in the cake to make it lighter.
  2.Combine eggs, sugar, chocolate essence, olive oil. Whisk with hand or a electric beater for 2- 3 minutes.
  3.Preheat the oven at 200 deg centigrade for 10 minutes. Coat the baking tins with oil.
  4.Slowly combine the wet and the dry ingredients. Finally add 4 tbsp of choco chips and mix well.
  5.Once this is done, pour into the baking tins, it should cover only half of the tin. The cake will rise to 3/4th after baking.For the quantity mentioned above, two tin cakes would do.
  6.Once the wet and dry ingredients is combined well, quickly pour the mixture into the tins and put it in the oven , as the baking powder starts working once there is moisture. It will lead to a big crater on the top.  So, just be quick.
  7.Before putting tins in the over, sprinkle the remaining 4 tbsp of choco chips on top. Bake at 180 deg centigrade for 40-45 minutes.
  8.After the cake is cooled down, slice the cake into two halves. Spread Nutella in between the top and the bottom slice.

 

  9.Drizzle with some chocolate sauce or strawberry sauce before serving.

What a 'yummy decadence'!!
 

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Almond Cake Sandwich

Almond Cake Sandwich came to my mind out of the blue as I was thinking of adding a dryfruit to a cake.After much contemplation,almond was 'the' best bet.Must say, lovely texture and most delicious with dollop of Nutella.

Almond Cake Sandwich

Ingredients:

  All Purpose Flour-2 cups
  Soda-bi-carbonate-1 tsp
  Baking Powder-1 1/2 tsp
  Salt-1/2tsp
  Ground Almond Meal/Powder-1 cup
  Eggs-3
  Sugar-1 1/4 cup
  Olive Oil- 1 cup
  Vanilla Extract- 1 tsp
  Milk- 1/2 cup
  Nutella Spread - 2 tbsp 

Method:

 1.Sieve flour,Baking powder,Baking Soda,Salt for 5-6 times.This would make the cake lighter.
  2.Combine eggs,sugar,vanilla extract,olive oil.Whisk with hand or a electric beater for 2-3 minutes.Sugar granules would do.
  3.Preheat the oven at 200 deg centigrade for 10 minutes.Coat the baking tins with oil.
  4.Slowly combine the wet and the dry ingredients.Finally add the grated almond meal and mix well.
  5.Once this is done, pour into the baking tins,it should cover only half of the tin.The cake will rise to 3/4th after baking.For the quantity mentioned above, two tin cakes would do.
  6.Once the wet and dry ingredients and almond meal is mixed,quickly pour the mixture into the tins and put it in the oven , as the baking powder starts working once there is moisture.It will lead to a big crack on the top.So, just be quick.
 7.Bake at 180 deg centigrade for 40-45 minutes.
 8.After the cake is cooled down,cut into squares and spread Nutella in between the slices.

Almond Cake Sandwich is ready to dig in.

 

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Orange Cake

For a very long I wanted to bake a cake with some special ingredient.So, thinking of adding a fruit to a cake,orange topped the list.The result was mind-blowing.
 


Orange Cake

 

Ingredients:
  All Purpose Flour -2 cups
  Soda-bi-carbonate -1 tsp
  Baking Powder -1 1/2 tsp
  Salt -1/2tsp
  Fresh Orange Juice - 1 orange
  Eggs -3
  Sugar -1 1/4 cup
  Olive Oil - 1 cup
  Orange Rind - 1 orange
  Milk - 1/2 cup or less

Method:
  1.Sieve flour,Baking powder,Baking Soda,Salt for four to five times.
 2.Combine eggs,sugar,olive oil.Whisk with hand or a electric beater for 2-3 minutes.
 3.Preheat the oven at 200 deg centigrade for 10 minutes.Coat the baking tins with oil.
 4.Slowly combine the wet and the dry ingredients.Finally add the orange rind and orange juice and mix well.
 5.Once this is done, pour into the baking tins,it should cover half of the tin.The cake will rise to 3/4th after baking.
 6.Once the wet and dry ingredients ,quickly pour the mixture into the tins and put it in the oven.
 7.Bake at 180 deg centigrade for 40-45 mins.

Note: Avoid using any extract/essence as it will overpower the orange flavour.

Drizzle some chocolate sauce for a out-of-the-world taste.

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Coconut Cinnamon Cake

Coconut and Cinnamon make a lovely combination, so I went about tweeking the basic sponge cake recipe.The result was heavenly...

Coconut & Cinnamon Cake

Ingredients:
Flour-2 cups
Sugar-1 1/2 cup
Dessicated Coconut- 1 cup
Cinnamon powder-1 1/2 tbsp
Eggs-3
Olive Oil-1 cup
Baking Soda- 1tsp
Baking Powder-1 1/2 tsp
Salt-1/4 tsp

Method:
1.Sieve flour,Baking Soda,Baking Powder,Salt and cinnamon powder for four to five times.
2.Combine Sugar,eggs,oil.
3.Preheat the oven for 10 mins at 200 deg centigrade.
4.Coat the baking tin with butter and parchment paper.
5.Combine and wet and dry ingredients well.Now combine the dessicated coconut and mix. Pour the same into the baking tin.
6.Bake for 45-50 mins at 180 deg centigrade.

Sprinkly some dessicated coconut before serving.

Truely and deeply a very delicious cake for a wonderful evening.
 

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Dates n Walnut Olive oil Cake

Dates and Walnuts are my favourites,so I thought why not bake a yummy cake with these.A very healthy version with Olive oil.

Date n Walnut Olive Oil Cake
 

 

 Ingredients:

  All Purpose Flour-2 cups
  Soda-bi-carbonate-1 tsp
  Baking Powder-1 1/2 tsp
  Salt-1/2tsp
  Eggs-3
  Sugar-1 cup
  Olive Oil- 1 cup
  Vanilla Extract- 1 tsp
  Milk- 1/2 cup
  Dates(choped into bits)- 1 cup
  Raisins- 1/4 cup
  Walnuts(chopped into bits)-1/4 cup
  Flax seeds- 2 tbsp         

 Method:

1. Sieve flour,baking powder,baking Soda and salt for 5-6 times.This is basically to incorporate air to make the cake lighter.
2. Soak the chopped dates in milk for 2 hours, to soften them.
3. Toast the chopped walnuts for 2 mins in a pan and set aside to cool.
4. Combine eggs,sugar,vanilla extract and olive oil.Whisk with hand or a electric beater for 2-3 minutes.Its not necessary to use powdered sugar,normal sugar used for tea/coffee can be used.
5. Preheat the oven at 200 deg centigrade for 10 minutes.Coat the baking tins with oil and sprinkle 1 tbsp of flax seeds.
6. Slowly combine the wet and the dry ingredients.Finally add the soaked dates,raisins and walnuts,mix well till all ingredients are combined.
7. Once this is done, pour into the baking tins, it should cover only half of the tin.The cake will rise to 3/4th after baking.  Sprinkle the remaining flax seeds on top. For the quantity mentioned above, two tin cakes would do.
8. Once the wet and dry ingredients and carrot is mixed,quickly pour the mixture into the tins and put it in the oven , as the baking powder starts working once there is moisture.It will lead to a big crack on the top.So, just be quick.
9. Bake at 180 deg centigrade for 40-45 mins.

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Carrot Cake with Olive Oil

The carrot cake is one of my favourites and I just tweaked it from the original version of using olive oil instead of canola/vegetable oil.This cake has a character in itself and tastes delicious.

Carrot Cake

Ingredients:

 Whole Purpose Flour-2 cups
 Soda-bi-carbonate-1 tsp
 Baking Powder-1 1/2 tsp
 Salt-1/2tsp
 Ground Cinnamon-1 tsp
 Eggs-3
 Sugar-1 1/4 cup
 Olive Oil- 1 cup
 Vanilla Extract- 1 tsp
 Milk- 1/2 cup or less
 Grated carrot-2 cups

Method:


 1.Sieve flour,Baking powder,Baking Soda,Salt,Ground cinnamon for 5-6 times.this is basically to incorporate air to make the cake lighter.
 2.Combine eggs,sugar,vanilla extract,oil.Whisk with hand or a electric beater for 2-3 minutes.Its not necessary to use powdered sugar,normal sugar used for tea/coffee can be used.
 3.Preheat the oven at 200 deg centigrade for 10 minutes.Coat the baking tins with oil.
 4.Slowly combine the wet and the dry ingredients.Finally add the grated carrots and mix well.
 5.Once this is done, pour into the baking tins,it should cover only half of the tin.The cake will rise to 3/4th after baking.For the quantity mentioned above, two tin cakes would do.
 6.Once the wet and dry ingredients and carrot is mixed,quickly pour the mixture into the tins and put it in the oven , as the baking powder starts working once there is moisture.It will lead to a big crack on the top.So, just be quick.
7.Bake at 180 deg centigrade for 40-45 mins.


Tastes yum with vanilla ice-cream.

Note:
 >All ingredients should be at room temperature.
 >All the ingredients should be on the counter before you start making the cake.
 >Keep the cake on the middle rack of the oven.

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Coffee Cake with Chocochips(Sans Butter)

This is a yummy cake with smells like coffee and has no butter,so u need not worry when u finish it off .Here you go...

Ingredients:

Flour-2 cups
Sugar-1 1/2 cup
Eggs-3
Oil-1 cup
Baking Soda- 1tsp
Baking Powder-1 1/2 tsp
Vanilla Extract-1/2 tsp
Salt-1/4 tsp
Instant Coffee Powder- 4 tbsp
Coffee Decoction- 1/4 cup
Chocochips-5 tbsp

Method:

1.Sieve flour,Baking Soda,Baking Powder,Salt,Instant Coffee for four to five times.
2.Combine Sugar,eggs,oil ,vanilla extract,coffee decoction.
3.Preheat the oven for 10 mins at 200 deg centigrade.
4.Coat the baking tin with butter and parchment paper.
5.Combine and wet and dry ingredients well.Now combine the chocochips and mix. pour the same into the baking tin.
6.Bake for 45-50 mins at 180 deg centigrade.

Note:After combining the wet and dry ingedients,quickly bake it.Dont leave it to rest.

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