A Cake to Remember

It was my birthday yesterday. Someone brought me out for a lovely lunch at a snazzy French Restaurant and I had the ever popular Chocolate Fondant Cake (Molten Chocolate Cake) for dessert.

While eating the yummy warm cake with the soft chocolate centre oozzing out, I was thinking back to the very many birthday cakes I've had over the years. During my childhood, one of my favourite cakes (and it was very popular in those days) was the Black Forest Cake. It's not easy to find a bakery that makes good Black Forest Cake now adays.

It's a wonderful cake, simple to make and assemble.

First, bake a rich chocolate sponge cake, cool and then slice it into 2 or 3 layers, length-wise.

Place the bottom half of the cake on a serving plate or cake tray and spread a layer of tinned sour cherries that have been soaking in whisky for at least a day. Top that with a layer of freshly whipped cream. (Repeat if there are 3 layers.)

Place the top half of the cake carefully over the ensemble. Spread a generous amount of freshly whipped cream all over the cake and decorate with lots of shaved dark chocolate and more sour cherries.

Chill well and then serve with a good strong cup of tea.

Eat Blueberries for Your Health

When I first had blueberries, I fell in love with it. Those blue bubbles that pop in your mouth, yummy with plain yougart and totally delicious in waffles and cupcakes. My little 3 year old niece loves it too. Being small herself, these little blue darlings are easy to pick up with her tiny fingers. My 9 year old niece discovered blueberry muffins - out of a box. I was horrified and proceeded to weane her off this most unhealthy liking. I introduced her to blueberry muffins made from scratch - it took a while but now, that's all she wants to make!

Blueberries are loaded with nutrition (Mama said that it's good for the eyes). It is rich in Vitamins A, C and E, and is rich in minerals, potassium, maganese and magnesium. High in fiber and low in sodium, it's excellent to help lower cholesterol. Of all the fruits and vegetables, it provides the the highest amount of health protecting antioxidants, prevents cancer-causing cell damage and limits changes caused by age related diseases. Sounds like a wonder fruit!

Here is an easy recipe that I use when I make blueberry cupcakes with my niece.

Blueberry Cupcakes

Ingredients

250g butter
250g brown sugar
4 eggs
500g self-raising flour (or 250g whole wheat flour + 250g self-raising flour)
2 oz milk
1 cup fresh blueberries

Method

1. Whisk butter, sugar and eggs well.
2. Fold in sifted flour.
3. Gently stir in milk and blueberries.
4. Fill cupcake cups 2/3 way.
5. Bake in 175 degrees C until cupcake is done and golden brown on top.
6. Cool and serve warm.

Enjoy!!