Margaret Fulton's Chocolate Cake

Sometimes simple is best. That's exactly what I had in mind when I bookmarked this recipe published in an issue of the Sydney Morning Herald in October last year. And if you're going to try a basic chocolate cake recipe, you can't go wrong with a Margaret Fulton recipe.

For my readers outside of Australia, allow me to tell you a little about this special little lady...

Photo from taste.com.au

Margaret Fulton is a highly respected individual in the Australian food community. She is widely considered the matriarch of Australian cookery. Why? Not only has she published more than 25 cookbooks that find homes on the bookshelves of thousands of Australians, but Margaret has also played a pivotal role in changing the way Australians eat. Out with the bland meat and three veg, and in with international flavours, creativity and flair! At 87 years of age, she's still going strong and inspiring a whole new generation of food lovers... including me :)

So when someone like Margaret Fulton writes that a chocolate cake recipe is a must in your repertoire, you sit up straight and pay attention! It was her words that convinced me this was a "must try" - in Margaret's words:

If I had to choose only one chocolate cake recipe to carry me through life, this would have to be it. It is just as a chocolate cake should be — not the fudgy, flourless kind that everyone loves for dessert but the perfect cake to slice into wedges for afternoon teas and picnics.

This recipe makes two cakes - one for now, and one you can freeze for later; or one for you and one for a friend/neighbour/colleague :)

Sour cream chocolate cake
Recipe by Margaret Fulton (slightly reworded by me to make it a little easier for you to follow)

Ingredients

4 tbsp flaked almonds
1 cup boiling water
125g dark chocolate, chopped
1 tsp bicarbonate of soda
250g unsalted butter
1 ½ cups castor sugar
3 large eggs, separated
1 tsp vanilla extract
2 ½ cups plain flour
A pinch of salt
1 tsp baking powder
2/3 cup light sour cream

Method

1. Preheat the oven to 180 degrees celcius. Generously butter a three-litre fluted bundt tin or two 20-centimetre round tins. Sprinkle with the flaked almonds (this step is optional), pressing them well into the butter to coat the base and sides of the tin.
Note: I actually got this wrong and sprinkled the almonds on top of the cake before baking, but I don't think it really matters...

2. Put the boiling water, chocolate and bicarbonate of soda in a large bowl and stir until the chocolate is melted and smooth. Leave to cool. This bowl will end up as your final mixing bowl, so make sure it is large enough for two cakes worth of batter.

3. Cream the vanilla extract, butter and sugar until light and fluffy, then add the egg yolks one at a time, beating after each addition.

4. Using a strong whisk, add the cream/sugar mixture to the the chocolate mixture a little at a time.

5. Sift the flour, salt and baking powder and fold in alternately with the sour cream, mixing lightly until just combined.

6. Beat the egg whites until stiff and fold into the mixture with a large metal spoon.

7. Turn gently into the prepared tin(s) and bake for 1 hour-1 ¼ hours for a large cake, 45 minutes for smaller cakes, or until cooked when tested with a skewer. Leave for a minute, then turn out and cool on a wire rack.

So the verdict on this recipe? Not a bad chocolate cake, but I think I prefer something a little sweeter and 'gooier' for a chocolate cake. Saying that though, this is perhaps an ideal recipe for those looking for something earthy and not-too-sweet in a cake. It's straightforward to make and easy to slice and transport too which is good...

Tell me, dear readers, who inspires you in the kitchen?

Ladybird x

Lavender and Honey Madeleines

I've got to tell you, I felt a little tingle as I returned to my blogging this weekend. It really is great to be back! And what a glorious weekend it's been in Sydney... crisp Autumn air, clear blue skies and beautiful sunshine. On afternoons like these, I like nothing more than the opportunity to sit back and relax on my balcony with Mr Ladybird over a nice cup of tea and something freshly baked. I am also savouring such moments as I approach a big change in my life...

You see, while I've been away I have been doing a little baking of my own, and I am delighted to tell you all that I have a bun in the oven! Yes, Mr Ladybird and I are expecting our first child! We are absolutely delighted and can't wait to meet our little one in October.

So there you have it - there's my news... As my first recipe after my hiatus, here is a lovely recipe for delicious madeleines ever so lightly touched by the scent and flavours and lavender and honey - a winning flavour combination, I think :)

Lavender and honey madeleines
(Recipe adapted from 'Petit Fours' by Murdoch Books)

How many madeleines this recipe will make depends on the size of your madeleine moulds. My tray's mould's are quite large (8cam in length), and this recipe made 8 - just enough for afternoon tea with 2 or 3 people. These are best served the same day as baking.


Ingredients

30g (1 oz) unsalted butter
2 teaspoons honey
2 1/2 tbsp white sugar
1/2 tsp dried (culinary) lavender
30g (1oz) plain flour
1 1/2 tbsp ground almonds
1 large egg, at room temperature
1 tbsp icing sugar for dusting (optional)

Method

1. Preheat the oven to 180 degree celcius (350 F/ Gas 4). Use pastry brush to lightly grease madeleine moulds.
2. Melt the butter and honey in a small saucepan. Set aside to cool.
3. Place the sugar and lavender in a mortar and pestle and grind to release the fragrant oils. Sift the lavender sugar to remove the lavender husks.
3. Sift the flour, ground almonds and three pinches of salt three times. This will help to lighten the texture of the madeleines.
4. With an electric mixture, whisk the egg and sugar mixture until thick and creamy.
5. With a metal spoon, fold in the cooled honey/butter mixture, followed by the flour. Fold until just combined. Allow mixture to stand for 10 minutes.
6. Spoon the mixture into madeleine moulds until they are around three-quarters full.
7. Bake for 6-8 minutes, or until lightly golden. Carefully remove from the moulds and place on a wire rack to cool. Dust lightly with icing sugar and serve.

Note: As you can see from the madeleines pictures, mine are a little past being lightly golden, so take care not to overcook them.


Until next time, dear readers!

Ladybird x

Returning soon, please stay tuned!

Hello dear readers, old and new!

You may have noticed I haven't been posting for a few months now... Yes, I am still alive and well. Life has definitely got in the way of late but I intend on making a return to Diary of a Ladybird very soon.

So,why the absence? Well... for one, my day job has been a priority (ermm, as it should be I guess!). Mr Ladybird and I also adopted a puppy at the start of the year, and getting him settled in and trained was quite a commitment! Actually, make that a huge commitment!

Introducing our Labradoodle puppy, Henry...

I mean, really.. how could you say no to a face like that?! Anyway, he is now very much part of our little family and we simply love him to bits! He is such a lovable little fellow and is full of cuddles :)


And there's been something else that's been happening in my life since my last post too. I can't wait to share it with you all ... Stay tuned for my next post for the big reveal!


Love,

Ladybird xxx