Black forest cake

Ingredients :

1. All purpose flour - 1 cup
2. Unsweetened cocoa powder - 1/3 cup
3. Baking powder - 1/2 tsp
4. Baking soda - 1 tsp
5. Salt - 1/4 tsp
6. Sugar - 1 cup
7. Milk - 1/2 cup
8. Vinegar - 1/2 tbsp
9. Egg - 1 no
10. Vegetable oil - 1/4 cup
11. Strong coffee - 1/2 cup
12. Vanilla extract - 1/2 tsp 
13. Cherries - 1 can ( drain the cherries & retain the syrup)
14. Whipping cream - 1 cup
15. Vanilla essence - 1/2 tsp
16. Powdered sugar (Icing sugar) - 1 tbsp
17. Chocolate flakes & glaced cherries for decoration

Method :

1.   Preheat the oven at 180 C.  Grease & line up the baking pan with the parchment paper.

2.   Mix together the milk & vinegar & set aside.

3.   Sieve together the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda & salt.

4.   In a another bowl, whisk together the egg, oil, coffee & vanilla essence.  

5.   Stir in the milk mixture  & then the flour mixture gently.  Pour the batter in the prepared pan & bake it for 30 mins or until done.  Allow it to cool completely.

6.  Cut the cake horizantally & brush the first half with the syrup preserved. 

For the whipping cream :

7.   Beat together the whipping cream, vanilla essence & powdered sugar until soft peaks.

8.   Now spread the cream between the layer, sides & over the cake.

9.   Finally, decorate the cake with the chocolate flakes & glaced cherries.

10.  Refrigerate the cake for atleast one hour before serving.

Enjoy..

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Eggless chocolate cake with chocolate cream icing

This is a perfect moist eggless chocolate cake with rich and creamy chocolate icing, for the chocolate lovers.

Ingredients :

1. All purpose flour - 1 cup
2. Baking powder -  1/2 tsp
3. Baking soda - 1 tsp
4. Unsweetened cocoa powder - 6 tbsp
5. Granulated sugar - 3/4 cup
6. Vegetable oil - 1/2 cup
7. Hot coffee - 1/4 cup ( 1 tsp of coffee in 1/4 cup hot water)
8. Milk - 1/4 cup
9. Yogurt - 1/4 cup
10. Vanilla extract - 1 tsp

For Icing :

1. Whipping cream - 500 ml
2. Powdered sugar to taste (I used arround 5 tbsp)
3. Cocoa powder - 3 tbsp (Sieved)
4. Vanilla essence - 1 tsp
5. Glazed cherries for decoration

Direction to bake :

1.   Preheat the oven at 170 C and line up the baking pan with parchment paper.

2.   Sieve together the flour, baking powder, baking soda & cocoa powder. 

3.   Mix together the vegetable oil, hotcoffee, milk, yoghurt, vanilla extract & granulated sugar.

4.   Combine both dry and wet ingredients on low speed.  Bake it for 30 mins or until done.  Cool the cake completely.

For Icing  :

5.   Whisk the whipping cream along with powdered sugar until spreadable consistency and slowly mix the cocoa powder & vanilla essence.

6.  Now sandwich the icing between the cake & over the cake.  Decorate it with the glazed cherries.

Happy baking.

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Melting Moments

Very interesting & easy to bake and taste just delicious with a cup of tea.  And I tired this recipe from Joy of Baking  & was just perfect for kids party.  

Ingredients :

1. All purpose flour - 1 1/2 cups
2. Cornflour - 1/2 cup
3. Salt - 1/4 tsp
4. Icing sugar - 1/4 cup
5. Unsalted butter - 1 cup
6. Vanilla extract - 1 tsp
7. Icing sugar for topping

Direction to bake :

1.   Preheat the oven at 180 C.  Line the baking pan with the parchment paper.

2.   Sieve together flour, cornflour & salt.

3.   Beat the butter and sugar until smooth and creamy.  Beat in vanilla extract.

4.   Add the flour mixture & beat until well combined.

5.   Cover & refrigerate the dough for one hr until firm.

6.  Divide the dough & form them into balls and place them in the prepared baking sheets.  Bake it for 15 mins or until done.

7.  Allow it to cool for 5 mins & sprinkle the icing sugar over the cookies.  Store it in the air tight container for longer use.

Serve with tea.

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Eggless Pineapple upside down cake

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Perfect cake for kids party :)
Ingredients :

1. All purpose flour - 2 cups
2. Butter - 100 gms
3. Pineapple slices - canned
4. Baking powder - 1 tsp
5. Baking soda - 1 tsp
6. Sweetened condensed milk - 1 tin (400 gms)
7. Sugar for caramalizing - 5 to 6 tbsp
8. Cherries for garnishing

Method :

1.   Preheat the oven to 180 C.  Grease the baking pan and keep aside.

2.   Heat sugar in the pan till it melts and becomes brown.  Pour hot caramel in the prepared baking pan.  Now arrange the pineapple slices & cherries over the caramel.   Keep aside.

3.   Sieve the flour, baking powder and baking soda. 

4.   Cream the butter and add the milkmaid.  Mix well.

5.   Slowly incorporate the dry ingredients to the butter mixture.  Pour the batter over the arranged pineapples and bake it for 35 / 40 mins or until done.

Serve with tea.

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Pineapple topped Cake

Delicate, soft, fluffy & delicious cake made with fresh pineapple and a dash of cardamom powder for additional flavour.  Perfect with tea & occasionally for parties.  

Ingredients :

1. Softened butter - 125 gms
2. Sugar - 1 cup
3. Pineapple essence - 1/2 tsp 
4. cardamom powder - 1/2 tsp
5. A pinch of salt
6. Eggs (medium) - 3 nos
7. All purpose flour - 2 cups
8. Baking powder - 2 tsp
9. Milk -2 tbsp
10. Crushed pineapple - 1/2 cup
11. Pineapple pieces for topping
12. Melted butter - 2 tbsp

Direction to bake :

1.   Grease the baking pan with butter & preheat the oven at 180 C.

2.   Sieve the flour, baking powder & salt together.

3.  Whisk the butter till creamy, add pineapple essence, cardamom powder, sugar & egg one at a time.

4.   Fold the sifted flour & crushed pineapple alternating with milk.   Pour the mixture in the greased baking pan & arrange the sliced pineapple pieces on the top and finally pour the melted butter on the top.  Bake it for 45 mins or until done.

Enjoy baking :)

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Carrot Cake

Carrot cake is healthy & perfect for kids.  Best way to eat the vegetables  !!!  It even has walnuts which is the good source of calcium.   I like to have this with a cup of tea.  It is incredibly dense, moist & flavourful.  Perfect for birthday parties too.  It taste awesome.

Ingredients :

1. Grated carrot - 3 cups
2. All purpose flour  - 2 cups
3. Refined oil - 1 cup
4. Sugar - 1 1/2 cups
5. Cashewnut (or) Walnut - 1 cup (toss in flour)
6. Baking powder - 1 tsp
7. Baking soda - 1 tsp
8. Cinnamon powder - 1 tsp
9. Vanilla essence - 1 tsp
10. Eggs - 3 nos

Direction to bake :

1.   Sift flour, cinnamon powder, baking powder & baking soda together.  

2.   Beat eggs well.  Add all other ingredients one by one and beat thoroughly.

3.   Fold the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients.  Pour into a greased tin and bake for 1 hour at 180 C till brown on top.

Serve with custard or cream.

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1-yr blog anniversary and Fruit Cake

It's hard to believe one year ago I posted my first entry on this blog. So much has happened since then. I've met many amazing foodies and improved my baking and cooking skills. As well I've found a new love: photography. I want to thank all of you who read and comment and support my passion for food. It's been a blast!

To mark this occasion, I made a fruit cake.   


Ingredients :

1. Dried cherries - 1/8 cup
2. Dried berries - 1/2 cup
3. Raisins - 1/4 cup
4. Sultanas - 1/4 cup
5. Currants - 1/4 cup
6. Chopped candied citron - 1 tbsp
7. Dark rum - 1/4 cup
8. Butter - 1/2 cup
9. Brown sugar - 1/4 cup
10. Egg - 1 no
11. All purpose flour - 1/2 cup
12. Baking soda - 1/8 tsp
13. Salt - 1/4 tsp
14. Ground mixed spice  - 1/2 tsp
15. Milk - 2 tbsp
16. Dark rum - 1/4 cup 

Direction to bake :

1.   Soak cherries, Sultanas, raisins, berries, currants & citron in 1/4 cup rum for one day.  Cover tightly & store at room temperature.

2.   Cream the butter & brown sugar until fluffy.  Beat in egg.

3.   Sieve together flour, baking soda, salt & spice powder.  Mix into butter & sugar, alternating with milk.  Stir in the soaked fruits.

4.   Bake in preheated oven at 325 F for 45 mins or until done.  Cool in the pan for 15 min & sprinkle the 2 tbsp of rum on the top & sides of cake.  

Store it in the airtight container.

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Butterscotch Bread pudding

 Simple, quick & easy bread pudding taste great with vanilla icecream.  Butterscotch flavour makes this dessert very unique & exotic.  Addition of custard powder is optional.  Perfect for special occasion & get-together parties. 

Ingredients : 

1. Warm milk - 1 1/2 cups
2.  Butter - 50 gms
3. Eggs - 2 nos
4. Cinnamon powder - 1/4 tsp
5. Vanilla essence - 1 tsp
6. Brown sugar - 3/4 cup
7. Raisins - 1/4 cup
8. Bread slices - 4 nos

Direction to cook :

1.   Dissolve warm milk, butter & eggs. (keep whisking continously)

2.   Add cinnamon powder, vanilla essence & brown sugar to the liquid mixture.

3.   Remove the side parts of the bread & roughly chop them & layer them in the greased baking pan.

4.   Sprinkle the raisins over the bread pieces & pour the prepared syrup.

5.   Bake at 180 C for 30 mins.

Serve warm with vanilla icecream.

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Vanilla crumb muffins

Last weekend we had small get-together ladies party at one of my friends house.  Party was decided & executed within 2 hours time.  Immediately, I decided to bake these vanilla crumb muffins & that was done within one hour time.  The crumb topping is what makes these Vanilla muffins stand apart from the ordinary. They're scrumptious!"

Ingredients :

1. All purpose flour - 2 cups
2. Sugar - 3/4 cup
3. Egg - 1 no
4. Baking powder - 2 tsp
5. Baking soda - 1/2 tsp
6. Milk - 1 cup
7. Vanilla essence - 2 tsp
8. Vegetable oil - 1/3 cup
9. Nuts (almonds, raisins, walnuts) - 1/2 cup
10. Brown sugar - 2 tbsp
11. Cinnamon powder - 1/2 tsp

Direction to bake :

1.  Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Lightly grease the muffin cups, or line with muffin papers.

2.    In a large bowl, mix together  flour, baking soda & baking powder. In another bowl, beat together sugar, egg, milk vanilla essence and vegetable oil. Stir the liquid mixture into the flour mixture just until moistened. Spoon batter into prepared muffin cups.

3.   In a small bowl, mix together brown sugar & cinnamon  powder. Sprinkle topping over muffins.

4.   Bake in preheated oven for 18 to 20 minutes, until a toothpick inserted into center of a muffin comes out clean.

Happy baking :)

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Twisted pastry stick

 Recently, I bought puff pastry sheet to make pineapple pastry for this valentine day special.  But, we spent our whole day outside & finally I decided to make this twisted pastry roll with little creative idea & turned out to be the best side dish for my soup next day.  Perfect munching snack for evening time as well. 

Ingredients :

1. Puff pastry sheet
2. Salt to taste
3. Dry oregano
4. Chilly powder - 1/4 tsp

Direction to bake :

1.   Cut the pastry sheet into equal rectangle size.  Roll them like a soup stick & twist them holding both the ends.

2.   Arrange them on the baking sheet & sprinkle some salt, chilly powder & finally the oregano over the twisted pastry rolls.

3.  Bake them as per the instructions given ( I baked it at 200 C for 15 mins).

Serve immediately.

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Vegetable pizza from scratch

Yesterday, was bit slow & totally bored.  Felt like having something hot & crunchy.  My last packet of yeast was leaving for almost one month & finally I used it yesterday by making this spicy yet simple vegetable pizza for my late evening snack.  Finally that was my dinner too.  Also made some garlic bread with a cup of cola.  Finally, it was a wonderful ending yesterday.  Next time I am planning to add the leftover chicken curry to make little non-vegetarian.  Yeah!!!! it tasted awesome :)

Ingredients :

For pizza dough :

1. All purpose flour - 1 1/2 cup
2. Yeast - 1 tsp
3. Luke warm water - 1/2 cup
4. Salt - 1/2 tsp
5. Sugar - 1 tsp
6. Oil - 1 tbsp plus 2 tbsp

For tomato sauce :

1. Riped tomatoes - 4 nos
2. Tomato ketchup - 1 tbsp
3. Oil - 1 tsp (preferably olive oil)
4. Minced garlic - 1/2 tsp
5. Dried basil - 1 tsp
6. Dried oregano - 1 tsp
7. Shredded capsicum - 1 tbsp (optional)
8. Pepper powder to taste
9. Salt to taste

For toppings :

1. Onion (sliced lengthwise) - 1 cup
2. Olives - 1/2 cup
3. Lengthwise sliced capsicum - 1/2 cup
4. Jalapeno pepper ( I used finely chopped green chillies)
5. Mozarella cheese (Be generous)

Directions to bake :

For pizza dough :

1.   Dissolve the yeast in the luke warm water.  Set aside for 10 mins.

2.   Meanwhile combine the flour, salt, 1 tbsp oil & sugar.  Once the yeast dissolved completely combine it with the flour & make the dough (little sticky & add water if necessary)

3.   Coat the dough with the 2 tbsp of oil & cover it with the wet cloth.  Set aside for atleast 2 hrs in the warm place.  After 1 hr, knead the dough & allow it to rest for the balance hr.

For tomato sauce :

4.   Heat oil in the pan, add the minced garlic & capsicum. 

5.   Add the finely chopped tomatoes & ketchup.  Cover & cook till done.

6.   Add the salt & other ingredients.  Keep aside.

Baking the pizza :

7.   Preheat the oven at 220 C. 

8.   Spread the pizza dough using ur palm in the prepared baking pan.  Spread the tomato sauce throughout the dough leaving 1 inch space arround the corners

9.   Spread the onions, capsicum, jalapeno, olives & finally with cheese.

10.  Bake it for 20 mins or untill golden brown on top.

Serve warm.

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Nutty chocolate toffee

Quick & easy snack little richer with nuts & chocolate.  My son enjoyed having this throughout.  Prefect for kids !!
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Ingredients :

1. Graham cracker
2. Butter - 3/4 cup
3. Brown sugar - 1/2 cup
4. Salt - 1/4 tsp
5. Chocolate chips - 1 1/2 cup
6. 1 cup nuts (powdered) ( I used almonds & hazelnuts)

Directions to bake :

#   Preaheat the oven to 375 degree. Line the baking pan with parchment paper.

#   Line the tray with the graham crackers.

#   Melt the butter in the sauce pan on medium flame, then add brown sugar.  Combine well & cook for 1 mins.  Pour over the graham crackers & spread evenly.  Bake for 10 mins or until golden brown on top.

#   Spread the chocolate chips on the top & return to the oven for a minute or until the chocolate melts.

#   Remove the pan from oven & evenly spread the melted chocolate.  Sprinkle the nuts (powdered) over the chocolate & allow it cool for 30  mins.  Cut them.

Have fun :)

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Fluffy muffins with chocolate chips topping

Anytime I bake muffins, it will turn out to be the best.  When I was searching for the vegetables for preparing my breakfast, I saw the tiny little chocolate chips hidding behind the shelf.  Muffins with a cup of tea is my favourite breakfast & evening snack.  I dont want to mix the chocolate chips in the muffin batter rather I used it as my topping for this fluffy & spongy muffins yesterday.  It's lovely  :)

Ingredients :

1. All purpose flour -2 cups
2. Baking powder - 1 tsp
3. Salt -1/2 tsp
4. Butter (unsalted) - 1/2 cup Melted & cooled
5. Eggs - 2 large
6. Milk - 1 cup
7. Vanilla extract - 2 tsp
8. Sugar - 2/3 cup
9. Chocolate chips (milk or semi-sweet) - 1 cup

Direction to bake :

#   Preheat the oven to 400 F & grease your muffin pan.

#   Sieve together the flour, baking powder & salt. 

#   In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, sugar, milk & vanilla extract.

#   Using the rubber spatula, fold the wet ingredients along with the melted butter into the dry ingredients.

#   Pour the batter into the muffin pan, filling each cup 2/3 rd full. 

#   Bake for 25 mins or until muffins turns golden brown.  Sprinkle the semi melted chocolate chips on the top & allow it to cool.

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Enjoy with tea. 

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Little pudding cake & my 100th post

I feel very happy to post my 100th recipe today.  Thanks all for making this to happen.  Celebrations never end without a piece of sweet or cakes.  Yes, today I made this delicious little pudding cake with little chocolate shavings on top.  Even, I dont want to remove the excess pudding arround the cake, it looks like my cake is floating in the white chocolate sea.  Its really a delectable cake.  Just love this :)

Ingredients :

1. Eggs - 6 nos
2. All purpose flour - 1 cup
3. Sugar -1 cup
4. Baking powder - 1 tsp
5. Melted butter - 1/4 cup
6. Vanilla essence - 1 tsp
7. Vanilla pudding - 1 packet
8. Cocoa powder for garnishing

Directions to bake :

#   Seperate the egg yolks and whites.  Beat the egg whites seperately until stiff.

#   Beat the egg yolks seperately until thick & pale yellow colored.   Gradually add the sugar & vanilla essence.

#   Sift the flour & fold them in the egg yolk mixture gently.  Finally, fold in the stiffly beaten egg whites.

#   Bake at 325 F for 15 to 20 mins.  Allow it cool.

#   Meanwhile, prepare the pudding as per the instructions given & allow it to cool.

#   Once, the cake is cooled pour the pudding mixture over the cake & refrigerate them for 2 to 3 hrs (preferably overnight)

#   If required, remove the excess pudding mixture arround the cake & serve just like that :)

Sprinkle some chocolate shavings or cocoa powder.  It taste delicious.

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Chicken puff

Mcrennett is my favourite bakery till now  for its chicken & egg puffs.  I made this spicy chicken puff with the puff pastry sheets available in stores.  Perfect for evening snacks & my son just loved this.  Brushing egg over the puff will make it crispy & shiny.  Nobody can believe its homemade, it taste delicious :)

Ingredients :

1. Puff pastry sheet
2. Oil -  1 tsp
3. Cinnamon stick - 1 no
4. Cloves - 2 nos
5. Boneless chicken - 250 gms
6. Onion - 1 no
7. Chilly powder - 1 tsp
8. Turmeric powder - 1/2 tsp
9. Corriander powder - 1 tsp
10. Cumin powder - 1/2 tsp
11. Garam masala - 1/2 tsp
12. Salt to taste
13. Corriander leaves
14. Egg - 1 no

Direction to cook :

£   Heat oil in the pan,  add the seasonings & finely chopped onions.

£   Add turmeric powder, chilly powder, corriander powder & shredded chicken (or cut them in tiny pieces).

£   Once chicken is cooked, add cumin powder & garam masala.  Cook for 5 more mins & sprinkle some finely chopped corriander leaves.  Allow it to cool.

£   Break the eggs & beat them.  Keep aside.

£   Cut the pastry sheets to the desired shapes like circle / rectangle / triangle / square.   Stuff the chicken mixture & brush the edges with egg and seal them.

£   Finally, brush the egg over the puff on either side & bake them as per the instructions given.  I baked it at 200 C for 10 to 12 mins.

Serve warm.

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Cornflour sponge cake

Little different cake made with cornflour as the main ingredient.  It is very soft & spongy.  Once in a while, this can be tried.   It taste unique.

Ingredients :

1. Chilled water - 2 tbsp
2. Sugar -3/4 cup
3. 4 eggs, seperated
4. Cornflour - 11/2 cups
5. Plain flour - 2 tsp
6. Baking powder- 1 tsp
7. Vanilla extract - 1 tsp
8. Whipped cream and jam for filling
9. Icing sugar for dusting

Direction to bake :

#   Preheat the oven to 190 C.  Lightly grease the baking pan.

#   Warm water and sugar in saucepan.  Beat egg whites until stiff.  Add sugar mixture and beat well. 

#   Add yolks one at a time, and beat until thick.  Stir in sifted cornflour, flour and baking powder.  Lastly add vanilla extract.

#   Pour into prepared tins and bake for 20 to 25 mins.  Fill with whipped cream and jam.  Dust with icing sugar.

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Bread pizza

Simplier & easier version to make & eat.  Tomato with little italian seasoning & cheese make this snack perfect for evenings. 

Ingredients :

1. Bread slices - 3 nos
2. 2 medium sized tomatoes
3. Tomato ketchup - 1 tbsp
4. Black pepper powder - 1 tsp
5. Garlic (finely minced) - 1/2 tsp
6. Oil - 1 tsp
7. Onion (shredded) - 1 no
8. Capsicum (shredded) - 1/2 no
9. Oregano
   
10. Pizza seasoning (optional)
    
11. Shredded cheese
    

Directions to cook :

£   Heat oil in the pan, add garlic & finely chopped tomatoes.  Cover & cook for 5 mins.

£   Once tomatoes are nicely cooked, add tomato ketchup, pepper & salt to taste.  Allow the sauce tocool.

£   Spread the tomato sauce over the bread slices & sprinkle the shredded onion, capsicum, oregano, pizza seasoning & finely the cheese.

£   Bake the bread slices at 200 C for 10 mins.

Serve immediately.

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Chocolate walnut brownies

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Suddenly, I recognised its been long time I baked cakes. Immediately, I started searching for the available ingredients & finally I decided to make this soft & crunchy topped chocolate walnut brownies. Chocolate chips would be the best substitute for walnuts.

For the first time bakers, this would be the best recipe to make. It never goes wrong & need no professional equipment or techniques to follow. It is just combining all the ingredients together in any order using the ordinary wooden spoon. Very simple to make yet never fails. I like to serve this with vanilla icecream.

Ingredients :

1. Butter - 2/3 cup
2. Sugar - 2 cups
3. 4 oz Unsweetened chocolate
4. 11/2 cups flour
5. Vanilla essence - 1 tsp
6. Eggs - 4 nos
7. Salt - 1/8 tsp
8. Baking powder - 2 tsp
9. Walnuts - 1/2 cup

Directions to bake :

# Melt the chocolate over the medium warm water or in microwave.

# Mix sugar & stir till well combined. Add butter, vanilla essence, salt & eggs one at a time. Keep whisking continously.

# Add baking powder and the sifted flour to the chocolate mixture & whisk constantly to avoid any lumps.

# Finally, add the walnuts & combine.

# Grease the baking pan with butter and flour. Pour the chocolate mixture to the greased pan & bake at 350 degree for 35 to 40 min or until done.

Serve with vanilla icecream.

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Marble cake

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I like gardening. I planted lotz of flower seeds & this is my first flower in my garden for this season. I am excited to see this cute looking tiny sunflower especially during my morning hrs. With this excitment, I made this cake which taste both vanilla & chocolatish in every single bite. Simple to bake, yet taste yummy :)

Ingredients :

1. 50 gms dark cooking chocolate, chopped
2. 175 gms softened butter
3. 200 gms sugar
4. 3 eggs, lightly beaten
5. 1/3 cup milk
6. 1/2 tsp vanilla essence
7. 175 gms self-raising flour
8. 1/2 tsp baking powder
9. Icing sugar, for dusting

Directions to bake :

£ Preheat the oven to 180 C. Lightly grease the baking pan & line the base with non-stick backing paper.

£ Melt the chocola in a bowl over hot water and keep warm. Cream the butter and sugar until soft and fulffy.

£ Add the eggs little at a time until well combined. Add milk, vanilla essence and stir until combined.

£ Stir in the sifted flour and baking powder. Remove half of the mixture and stir in th emelted chocolate until well combined.

£ Drop spoonfuls of the cake mixture into the prepared tin, alternating between mixtures and starting with the light mixture. Bake for 60 to 75 min or until cooked through. Once cool, dust some icing sugar & serve with tea.

Happy baking :)

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