Chocolate Cake– a lesson in chemical reaction!
Many recipes use baking powder and eggs as leavening; however, this clever super easy cake is made with vinegar and baking soda (bicarbonate) instead. Make this recipe with your grandchildren for a fun lesson in why this combination makes the cake rise. As an acid, vinegar reacts with the baking soda in a chemical reaction to produce carbon dioxide, needed to give the batters a lift as they bake. This results in a cake that is fluffy, yet still moist.
Made without butter, eggs, milk or a mixing bowl, it’s easy and quick to make. It’s often called ‘Depression Cake’ as it is believed to have been created because of rationing during World War 11. Without the frosting, it is vegan. Serves 8-10
Many recipes use baking powder and eggs as leavening; however, this clever super easy cake is made with vinegar and baking soda (bicarbonate) instead. Make this recipe with your grandchildren for a fun lesson in why this combination makes the cake rise. As an acid, vinegar reacts with the baking soda in a chemical reaction to produce carbon dioxide, needed to give the batters a lift as they bake. This results in a cake that is fluffy, yet still moist.
Made without butter, eggs, milk or a mixing bowl, it’s easy and quick to make. It’s often called ‘Depression Cake’ as it is believed to have been created because of rationing during World War 11. Without the frosting, it is vegan. Serves 8-10
Crazy Chocolate Cake
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INGREDIENTS:
Chocolate Ganache frosting (optional, not dairy free)
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METHOD:
Chocolate Ganache:
- Preheat oven to 180°C /350°F. Line a 20cm x20cm (8 inch x 8 inch) baking pan with greaseproof/baking paper.
- Add flour, cocoa powder, sugar, baking soda and salt directly into the baking pan. Whisk together until evenly combined.
- Make two small wells and one large well in the dry ingredients. Add vanilla to one small well and vinegar to the other small well. Add oil to the large well. Pour the water over the top and whisk everything together until the batter becomes smooth and evenly combined.
- Place cake into the oven and bake for about 35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean. Let the cake cool completely before frosting. See the note below for topping ideas.
Chocolate Ganache:
- Add the chopped chocolate to a medium bowl.
- Bring the cream to a simmer on the stove.
- Pour the heated cream over the chopped chocolate and immediately start to mix until the chocolate is completely melted and smooth.
- Let the ganache cool at room temperature or in the fridge until it becomes firm enough to frost the cake.
