Chocolate cake day

Today, 27th pf January is National Chocolate Cake day, what a sweet day for bakes and cake lovers.

Dark chocolate is loaded with nutrients that can positively affect your health.

Made from the seed of the cocoa tree, it is one of the best sources of antioxidants on the planet.

Studies show that dark chocolate (not the milky, full of sugar) can improve your health and lower the risk of heart disease.

To celebrate National Chocolate cake day, I want to share a chocolate cupcake recipe I really enjoy, and I involve my children during its preparation. I prefer to weight my ingredients to have the same result time after time

Ingredients:

• 100g self raising flour

• 20g cocoa powder

• 140g caster sugar

• 40g butter/baking margarine (at room temperature)

• 120ml milk

• 1 egg

• ¼ tsp vanilla extract

To decorate

• Buttercream:

  • 100g of unsalted butter

  • 200g of powdered sugar

  • 50-100g of melted dark chocolate (depending of the intensity desired)

  • pinch of salt

Method

• STEP 1. Heat oven to 180C/160C fan/gas 4. Put the flour, cocoa powder, sugar, baking powder, a pinch of salt and the butter in a free-standing electric mixer with a paddle attachment (or use a handheld electric whisk). Beat on a slow speed until you get a sandy consistency and everything is combined.

• STEP 2. Whisk the milk, egg and vanilla extract together in a jug, then slowly pour about half into the flour mixture. Beat to combine and turn the mixer up to high speed, scraping any mixture from the side of the bowl with a rubber spatula. Pour in the remaining liquid and continue mixing for a couple more minutes until the mixture is smooth. Do not overmix.

• STEP 3. Spoon the mixture into the paper cases until approximately two-thirds full. Bake in a preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the sponge bounces back when touched and a skewer inserted into the centre comes out clean.

• STEP 4. Leave the cupcakes to cool slightly in the tray before turning out onto a wire cooling rack to cool completely. Meanwhile, make chocolate buttercream or plain buttercream (skip the chocolate) mixing the butter, with the powdered sugar, then add the melted chocolate and spread it over the cakes with a palette knife, or use a piping bag. Scatter over chocolate vermicelli, if you like