Ingredients For The Sponge:
Castor sugar-288 gm
All purpose flour-165 gms
Baking soda -1 tsp
Baking powder -1 tsp
Cocoa powder-60 gms
Eggs-3
Vanilla essence-1 tsp
Melted butter-118 gms
Warm water-235 gms
For The Ganache:
Chocolate (chopped)- 1 cup
Fresh cream-1 cup
For The Orange syrup:
Orange juice – of 4 Oranges ( medium)
Sugar – 1tsp
Water- 1-2 tbsp
For The Assembly:
Fresh orange slices
Castor sugar
Rosemary sprig
For The Sponge
- Preheat the oven to 170°©
- Line an 8″ cake pan with a light film of oil/butter & then place a parchment paper on it.
- In a big mixing bowl, sieve the castor sugar along with flour, cocoa powder, baking powder & baking soda.
- In another bowl, combine the eggs, vanilla, butter & warm water & beat well with an egg beater or a whisk.
- Now add the sifted dry ingredients to the wet ingredients into two parts & beat on medium speed, scraping down the bowl periodically until a smooth batter is formed.
- Pour the batter into a lined cake pan.
- Place the pan in the preheated oven & bake it for about 30-35 mins or until a toothpick inserted in the centre comes out clean.
Once done, take it out of the oven & leave it to cool down completely on a cooling rack.
For The Ganache
- Heat the cream in a saucepan on a medium flame & just scald it. (explained in detail in the video) i.e. until it’s just slightly warm. ( Do not make it too hot as it will burn the chocolate)
- Once you see slight bubbles on the edges, turn off the flame & immediately pour the warm cream over the chocolate.
- Let them sit for a few minutes before stirring, then stir till smooth & shiny.
For The Orange Syrup
- Heat a saucepan, add orange juice along with sugar & water, let it simmer on medium flame for a minute or till the sugar melts completely.
For The Assembly
- De Mould cake & place it on the turning table. Slice the top with a serrated knife to make it flat & even.
- Turn the sponge upside down & pour the orange syrup all over the sponge & allow it to soak completely.
- Now spread the ganache evenly with the help of a palette knife (or you can use an off-set spatula).
- Give a rustic look with the help of a palette knife or off-set spatula. (As shown in the video)
- Sprinkle castor sugar on orange slices (cut into halves )and caramelize them by blow torch ( you can do it on a non-stick pan as well).
- Garnish the chocolate cake with orange slices and put in a rosemary spring.