Chinese Aristocrat's Heavenly Chocolate Cake

Ingredients

In this adaptation, we infuse the Devil's Food Cake with Chinese aristocrat flavors by incorporating traditional Chinese spices into the ganache. The cake is also decorated with intricate chocolate designs, paying homage to the artistry and attention to detail valued in Chinese aristocrat cuisine. We alse have the original recipe for Devil's Food Cake, so you can check it out.

• 2 cups (240g) all-purpose flour 2 cups (240g) all-purpose flour
• 1 ¾ cups (350g) granulated sugar 1 ¾ cups (350g) granulated sugar
• ¾ cup (90g) unsweetened cocoa powder ¾ cup (90g) unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
• 1 ½ teaspoons baking soda 1 ½ teaspoons baking soda
• 1 teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 large eggs 2 large eggs
• 1 cup (240ml) whole milk 1 cup (240ml) whole milk
• ½ cup (120ml) vegetable oil ½ cup (120ml) vegetable oil
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1 cup (240ml) boiling water 1 cup (240ml) boiling water
• For the ganache: For the ganache:
• 1 cup (240ml) heavy cream 1 cup (240ml) heavy cream
• 8 ounces (225g) dark chocolate, finely chopped 8 ounces (225g) dark chocolate, finely chopped
• 1 teaspoon Chinese five-spice powder 1 teaspoon Chinese five-spice powder
• 1 teaspoon grated orange zest 1 teaspoon grated orange zest
• For decoration: For decoration:
• Additional dark chocolate for making intricate designs Additional dark chocolate for making intricate designs

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 450 kcal / 1880 KJ
• Fat: 25g (total), 12g (saturated)
• Carbohydrates: 55g (total), 40g (sugars)
• Protein: 6g
• Fiber: 3g
• Salt: 0.8g

Preparation

1. 1.
   Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F). Grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans.
2. 2.
   In a large mixing bowl, combine flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
3. 3.
   Add eggs, milk, vegetable oil, and vanilla extract to the dry ingredients. Mix until well combined.
4. 4.
   Gradually add boiling water to the batter, stirring continuously until the batter is smooth.
5. 5.
   Divide the batter equally between the prepared cake pans.
6. 6.
   Bake for 30-35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
7. 7.
   Remove the cakes from the oven and let them cool in the pans for 10 minutes. Then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.
8. 8.
9. 9.
   For the ganache:
10. 10.
    In a small saucepan, heat the heavy cream over medium heat until it begins to simmer.
11. 11.
    Remove the saucepan from heat and add the chopped dark chocolate, Chinese five-spice powder, and grated orange zest. Let it sit for a minute.
12. 12.
    Stir the ganache until the chocolate is completely melted and the mixture is smooth.
13. 13.
    Allow the ganache to cool and thicken slightly before assembling the cake.
14. 14.
15. 15.
    To assemble the cake:
16. 16.
    Place one cake layer on a serving plate. Spread a generous amount of ganache evenly over the top.
17. 17.
    Place the second cake layer on top and cover the entire cake with the remaining ganache.
18. 18.
    Use additional dark chocolate to create intricate designs on the cake, showcasing the artistry of Chinese aristocrat cuisine.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Dark chocolate — Use high-quality dark chocolate with at least 70% cocoa content for the best flavor and texture.
• Chinese five-spice powder — If you can't find Chinese five-spice powder, you can make your own by combining equal parts ground cinnamon, cloves, fennel seeds, star anise, and Sichuan peppercorns.

Tips & Tricks

• For a more intense chocolate flavor, add a tablespoon of instant coffee granules to the boiling water before adding it to the batter.
• To create intricate chocolate designs, melt additional dark chocolate and use a piping bag or a small spoon to draw patterns on parchment paper. Let the designs cool and harden before placing them on the cake.

Serving advice

Serve the Chinese Aristocrat's Heavenly Chocolate Cake at room temperature for the best texture and flavor. Accompany each slice with a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

Presentation advice

Present the cake on a decorative cake stand or platter. Dust the top with cocoa powder and garnish with fresh berries or edible flowers for an elegant touch.