I’m another year older and for the first time, I actually feel wiser! I’ve done so much over the last year, started and new job AND started researching for my dream of having my own teashop. No doubt the next year of my life will be just as busy and exciting. Whatever happens, I can guarantee that there’ll be cake along the way!
So what better way to celebrate than by making my own birthday cake.
Chocolate Celebration Cake
Ingredients:
200g good-quality plain chocolate, chopped
200g butter
100ml water
125g self-raising flour
125g plain four
25g cocoa powder
200g light muscovado sugar
200g golden caster sugar
3 free-range eggs
75ml/2½fl oz crème fraîche
For the vanilla buttercream icing:
100g unsalted butter, softened
200g icing sugar
vanilla
milk, to loosen
For the topping:
200g dark chocolate
100g butter
40ml tblsp water
1 punnet of strawberries
Preheat the oven to 170C. Grease and line two 8in sandwich tins.
Melt the chocolate, butter and water together in a saucepan over a low heat, stirring occasionally, until smooth. Set aside to cool slightly. Meanwhile, sift the flours and cocoa powder into a bowl and mix in the muscovado and caster sugar.
Beat the eggs and crème fraîche together in a separate bowl, then beat in the chocolate mixture. Fold in the flour mixture until smooth.
Divide the cake batter between the tins and bake for 35-40 minutes, or until the top is firm to the touch.
Meanwhile, for the vanilla buttercream, beat the butter in a bowl until soft, then gradually beat in the icing sugar. Add the vanilla and add a few drops of milk if the mixture is a little stiff.
For the ganache I used the recipe on the back of the Dr Oetker Extra Dark Chocolate pack.
Put 200g chopped Dr. Oetker 90% Chocolate into a heatproof bowl with 100g unsalted butter and 40ml water. Put over saucepan of barely simmering water and stir until melted. Remove from the water and cool for about 20 minutes to thicken.
Put a cake on a wire rack over a large plate. Spoon ganache over the top, letting it run down the sides. Tap the wire rack to smooth the surface.
Finally, I covered the top of the cake with a punnet of fresh strawberries.
I’ve been spoilt rotten with cards, presents and flowers. I’m truly blessed.
Melissa xx
Happy birthday Melissa – cake looks fab!
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Thank you darling! I must come up and see you xx
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Congratulations on being both older and wiser – most of us only manage the one 🙂 – wonderful cake – I see you have also learned that most important thing – it’s important to spoil yourself!
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Thank you so much darling xx
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you are very welcome indeed darling XoX
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Happy Birthday Melissa!! Good on you for going after your dream. When you do open that teashop, you might give me a job! 😉
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Hell yes! Thanks Donna xx
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Happy Birthday Melissa! 🙂
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Thank you so much!
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Happy Birthday, what a gorgeous cake and I love that you want to open a tea shop. Best wishes!!
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Thank you darling xx
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Happy Birthday Melissa! Your tea shop sounds like such a fun idea! The cake looks divine!
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Thanks Sandhya xx
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Happy birthday x
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Thanks dude! xx
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💐🎈
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Happy birthday Melissa! Fingers crossed you’ll have your tea shop in time for your next one 🙂 The cake looks divine!
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Thanks Nicola xx
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Happy birthday, and may all your dreams come true in the year to come.
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Thank you Joan xx
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Happy Birthday Melissa and I love your dream of owning a tea shop!
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I hope it comes true Laura, I really do xx
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Happy Birthday!!! You sure know how to treat yourself – as it should be!
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He he he, so true!
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Happy Birthday, Sweet Melissa! The best part is, you get wiser every year. Your chocolate celebration cake is so beautiful, as you are! 🙂
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Thank you my darling xx
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Yum, yum, yum. I reckon that cake has disappeared by now. Chocolate and strawberries – what’s not to love! Next birthday 16/9/16 – looks special, hope you’re nearer to the tea shop by then. xxx
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Yes, it’s gone! Figuring out what to bake for the 20th…..
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Happy birthday!!!! :*
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Thank you!
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Happy Birthday!! Delicious looking cake, hope you enjoyed your day.
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Thanks Gretchen xx
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I hope you enjoyed your day xx
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I’m all caked out!
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Ha ha!! I’m caked out just from looking at your photos!!
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Happy Birthday Melissa & congratulations on all your achievements 🙂 That cake looks like the perfect way to celebrate such a fantastic year!
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Thank you darling!
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Happy Birthday, Melissa! The cake looks lovely!
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Thanks Maggie xx
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Belated Birthday Greetings. I hope you enjoyed being wiser…best wishes!
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Thanks Liz xx
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