Friday, February 25, 2011

Nigella's Chocolate Honey Cake


super simple dense fabulous chocolate cake that's not too rich and not too too sweet...makes an any-occasion dessert that tastes incredible and looks "pastry-chef" impressive

i say "super simple" because Nigella always makes things look so simple.  if you look at the recipe as it is written,  it doesn't sound all that easy and quick, BUT if you catch the show like i did, you'll see how easy she makes it look.  she throws everything into the processor, pours it into the pan, then in the oven for about an hour or so...done.  this prompted me to make it that very day.  i caught the show on one of her early morning reruns on the cooking channel and the cake was made by that afternoon. 

when all was done i found the cake WAS super easy...
BUT THE BEES ARE A PAIN IN THE BUTT!  
on the show she had her kids making the bees...no kids around here so i was left to the task at hand...please pardon my bees.  i think it's a job best left for the kids.  well...they were kinda cute i guess.

NIGELLA'S CHOCOLATE HONEY BEE CAKE.
as mentioned above...the instructions for the recipe found at foodnetwork.com are different than how she made it on the show.  i have posted the instructions for the way i saw it done on the show.  the ingredients are the same...but i added 1 tsp espresso powder and 1 tsp vanilla to the cake...
AND i covered it with a dark chocolate ganache instead of the Sticky Honey Glaze.

CAKE
4 oz. semi sweet chocolate broken into pieces
1 1/3 cup light brown sugar
2 sticks or 1 cup super soft unsalted butter
1/2 cup honey
2 eggs
1 1/2 cup AP flour
1 tsp baking soda
1 Tbsp cocoa powder
optional...1 tsp espresso powder and 1 tsp vanilla extract
1 cup boiling water

preheat oven to 350 F
line the bottom of a 9 inch springform pan with parchment.  i buttered the sides and covered with cocoa powder as well.

melt the chocolate in a double boiler and set aside.
in the processor add in this order...(if it matters)
1 1/3 cup light brown sugar, 1 cup super soft unsalted butter, 2 eggs, 1/2 cup honey, 1 1/2 cup flour, 1 tsp baking soda, 1 Tbsp cocoa powder (sift it in), (add 1 tsp espresso powder and 1 tsp vanilla if you are using)...and finally add the melted chocolate...whiz this until it is smooth, stopping a moment to scrape the sides.  incorporate well...while the processor is going add the 1 cup of boiling water until all is nice and smooth and incorporated well...BUT do not over process.  this is a very runny batter.  do not pull out your blade if you have a smaller size processor.  remove the processor bowl with the blade still inside and pour into prepared pan.  place the filled pan on a aluminum covered cookie sheet (batter might escape at the bottom a little bit).  put in 350 F degree oven for approximately 1 to 1 1/2 hour.  check cake at 45 minutes to see if you need to cover the top for the final 15 minutes or so.  mine took 1 hour.  check with tooth pick.  remove and let the cake cool completely before glazing.

i used a simple 1 to 1 chocolate ganache
6 oz good dark 60% chocolate
6 oz heavy cream
bring cream to almost a boil, stirring so as not to burn on the bottom.  add hot cream to chocolate and stir until all is melted and there are no tiny pieces.  don't stir too hard or you will create bubbles.
pour over cooled cake and refrigerate until set.

bees
bees are easy, but tedious.  use 1-2 oz. of marzipan and some sliced almonds for the wings.  paint them with black frosting or use the melted chocolate for the "bee look".


21 comments:

Mary Bergfeld said...

This is a really good looking cake. This is my first visit to your blog and after reading this post I began to work my way through your earlier entries. I'm so glad I did. I really like the food and recipes you feature here. I'll definitely be back. I hope you have a great day. Blessings...Mary

Anonymous said...

This cake looks rich and delicious. And your bees are gorgeous!

Terra said...

WOW!!! You have a new follower definitely:) Your blog is sooooo beautiful! Even though the honey bees were a pain in the butt to make, they are WAY too cute! I love honey, and honey bees:) So glad I found you on Tastespotting!
Take care,
Terra

Tia said...

oh wow, that is adorable!

Buttercreambarbie

Add A Little Love said...

lovely bees, and the cake looks super.

Sonia said...

Wow, what a cute little cake with little bees having the first bite. Loved everything about the cake and style of presenting. Nigella is just awesome and has loads of stunning recipes. This is a great cake, will surely try it soon... !

Trevor Sis Boom said...

I remain in awe of you. I've had my flings with Nigela before but every time I tell her I need to see someone else she reels me back in with something like this.

heidipie said...

I made this cake today, substituting oatmeal stout for the water. Great!

Ambika said...

Those are the cutest honey bees ever!!

Amrita said...

Miam miam! I see what you mean about the pastry chefy part. I'm still waiting for the day I would be able to pull off something as polished as this cake!

Anonymous said...

Yikes! What an adorable cake! I have 2 questions though. 1, can you use any type of honey? And 2, in your ingredients, you list 1 and a half cups of flour, but in the directions, you mention 1 and a THIRD cups of flour. Which is correct?

Jules and Ruby said...

hi Anonymous...yikes back at ya...i'm so glad you caught that. i looked back into the original and it is 1 1/2 cups flour...my mistake. i will correct it in the post. also i bet you could use any kind of good honey. thanks for the comment and THANKS for catching the mistake. hope to hear from you again soon.

marla said...

Cutest cake ever! Love the honey bees.

Jules and Ruby said...

thanks Marla. hope to hear from you again

Anonymous said...

can I use a kitchenaid artisan mixer instead?

Jules and Ruby said...

hi Anonymous...i think you can. the original written version looks more involved, but i think it has instructions using a stand mixer. i watched Nigella make the cake on her show and she made it look sooooo easy using a food processor. check the link i put in the post for the written version and see if looks like those instructions will work for you. i hope it does because this IS a delicious cake.

AZgotuj! said...

Your blog is appetizing:)

Harmony said...

I was thinking of using ganache instead of Nigella's sticky honey glaze, and yours was the only recipe I've seen who's done just that! Do you think the ganache would work better than the honey chocolate glaze?????
Your pictures look beaaaautiful

Jules and Ruby said...

hi Harmony...i think i (hope) you are the one i commented to on instagram...
if not...yes, i think the ganache would hold up better and i think the honey glaze would be too sweet. sorry i was late seeing your comment...J

tessg said...

I want to make a bee hive shaped cake for a birthday party!

Do you think this cake would work as a dome cake? Cooked in a pyrex bowl? If so, would i need to make any changes to the recipe or cooking time.

I'm a newbie, help!

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