CHOCOLATE-PISTACHIO CAKE...A cake to sleepover?
15 February 2008
Its a 'Chocolate, Chocolate-chip & Pistachio' cake!There has been palpable excitement in the son's life as he's off for his first sleepover. They've had a day out by the lake - rappling, rock climbing, Burma bridge crossing. Then it's back to school for a bonfire night, star-gazing & studying constellations...finally the much-awaited sleepover! We've almost had to gag & bind him down 'coz he's gone bonkers planning, making lists,sticking reminders...driving us up the beanpole! He woke up this morning with a 1000 watt smile, saying this is the day he's been waiting for "all his life"!
Heave-ho, Heave-ho...It's off to school we go!
A cake for snacks featured in one of his many lists & reminders. I made this for him last evening.
'Sleepover Cake'...or so it's come to be called!
I love the combination of chocolate & pistachio nuts...by way of taste, as well as colour! Just because DH happened to go to Dubai for a day & saw these nuts...& thought the mad baker would love to try something with them. Of course I would...no problem! With opportunity knocking in the form of a sleepover, I wentover & used them right away!
The recipe is my own...a simple cake which is moist, delicious & versatile! Check out the mocha walnut version here.
Ingredients:
Butter-100 gms
Sugar - 1 1/2 cups
Eggs - 4
Vanilla Essence- 1tsp
Flour - 1 cup
Whole wheat flour - 1/2 cup
Cocoa - 1/2 cup
Baking powder - 1 tsp
Baking soda - 1/2 tsp
Salt - 1/8 tsp
Yogurt - 6 tbsps
Cream - 3 tbsps (25% fat)
Juice of 1/2 lime
Chocolate-chips - 1/2 cup
Pistachio Nuts - 1/2 cup/chopped
Out of the oven late in the evening...smelling good!
- Preheat oven to 180 deg C. Line, grease & flour bottom of 8” spring form ring tin. Grease & flour the sides.
- Sift the dry ingredients together. Keep aside.
- Mix the yogurt + cream + lime juice in a small bowl. Keep aside.
- Beat the butter + sugar well until light and fluffy.
- Beat in the eggs & vanilla essence.
- On low speed, beat in the dry ingredients alternatively with yogurt and cream mix…in 3 goes.
- Stir in the chocolate chips and chopped pistachios.
- Put the batter into the tin and level out. Sprinkle with flaked pistachios & chocolate sprinkles if desired.
- Bake for approximately 60 mins, or till the tester comes out clean.
- Cool in tin on rack for 10 mins, remove sides of spring form tin, & cool on rack for 30 mins.
- Remove from base, handling gently as it’s quite delicate while warm.
- This cake is delicious and moist when fresh out of the oven!!
Note: Check after about 45 minutes. If you find that the top is browning too fast, loosely place a sheet of foil over the top.
February 16, 2008 12:07 AM
I'm amazed at how you can bake a cake every day Deeba! and with 2 kids!! Good luck to your son on his first sleepover! I'm sure he'll be the center of attention with that cake tucked inside his backpack:)D
February 16, 2008 8:37 AM
Deeba, firstly loved the photo of your cute kids! The cake looks delicious n the pistachios have been sliced to perfection!! Lucky boy!(I m still clumsy at slicing nuts, they are more of huge pieces!got to look out for tips on slicing them :D)
February 16, 2008 10:42 AM
Your kids are so cute !!!awesome cake . lucky your kids are..i wish i could taste them !!
February 16, 2008 6:37 PM
You've got cute kids Deeba and that cake looks so luscious. Love he pistachios in it!
February 17, 2008 7:12 PM
Deeba you drive me crazy with such fab cakes, WHEN are you inviting me over?????:)
February 18, 2008 9:19 AM
Hey Deeba, cute pic of the bro-sis duo..Lucky son to get such nicely baked cakes from mommy!..Btw, just wanted to let u knw, I took a first step and baked a cake with ur chocolate ganache recipe and the cream filling inside :). Just posted it in my blog..Thanx a lot to you..
February 21, 2008 10:26 AM
Hi deeba, your kids are very cute.. the cake looks wonderful.. i liked the combination of chocolate and pistachios. i would love to try this..