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There’s is something so utterly satisfying about good chocolate that I immediately said a wholeheartedly YES when Kate from Serendipity asked me if I would like to participate in a valentine chocolate cooking. Kate was kind enough to supply the chocolate for this and it was within days that I had a package of really fabulous chocolate from Christof…. (effe checken). It contained 1 large dark chocolate bar, two cooking chocolate bars and one bar which Kate mentioned would be fabulous for making chocolate milk. We couldn’t resist the chocolate so we ate the large bar just as it was with a good cup of coffee and it was absolutely wonderful. Not too sweet and great chocolate flavor.
But then I had to think about what to do with the rest of the chocolate. I mean; let’s face it, the possibilities are almost endless. Would I make an old time favorite; the Italian chocolate mousse or would I go for something new? When going through a Donna Hay book the decision was easily made. It featured a delicious chocolate cake and having never made one (i know, I know..) before I figured that would be perfect. The idea was to bake this in a heartshape but when you put baking paper in the heart it… eh… becomes a little bit strangely shaped heart, but who cares..? Take it from me that the shape IS a heart (of sorts) to keep with the Valentine theme. The original recipe called for making this with raspberries, but the raspberries that we have here right now are really not the best in terms of flavor plus I was having some apples that really needed to be eaten so I substituted the raspberries of the original with apple and I think that was a great choice. I actually think the apple worked better then the raspberries would have as it also gives it a little bit of crunch of sorts and the taste together is just lovely. I have to confess that the reason I used this recipe is also partially because I did not want to leave the house.
The temperatures are roughly between -13 and -4 C (8 to 20 Fahrenheit) at the moment and I didn’t feel like going outdoors at all, as I was having a lazy day at home. As luck would have it I had all the ingredients for this gorgeous chocolate cake so it was also the perfect excuse to get rid of some leftover flours. If you’re like me; you have multiple packs of flour around the house. I always think I have run out so I buy a new pack only to discover that I have some leftover in the cupboard. I finished most of the half-packs today! The recipe is very simple with wonderful results so try it out! You won’t regret it… And ofcourse perfect to share for Valentine. Thanks Kate for sending the chocolate!! Check out Kate’s blog for more of the Valentine cooking!!
Chocolate apple cake
Ingredients
- 185 gr butter
- 185 gr dark chocolate broken in pieces
- 3 eggs
- 1 vanillabean
- 1,5 cup sugar
- 1 cup flour
- 2/3 cup selfraising flour
- 1/2 cup almondflour
- 2 apples cut into small chunks
Instructions
- In a double boiler heat the chocolate and the butter on low heat and slowly let them melt together. Once melted let them cool slightly.
- Stir eggs, vanillaseeds and sugar in a large bowl to a light, creamy mass. Add flour, almondflour, selfraising flour , chocolate butter mix and the apple and mix well. If you like you can coat the apple-chunks with cinnamon before adding to the batter.
- Depending a bit on which forms you use line them with baking paper and put the batter in. I used a larger heart, a smaller heart and one small cake tin. I lined them all with baking paper (parchment paper) which made it incredibly easy to remove from the tins but also kind of gives them funny shapes... 🙂 Fill them for roughtly 3/4th. It will rise some but because it's heavy batter it will not rise extremely high. Bake them in a preheated oven at around 180 C for about 35 minutes or until the top of the cake feels firm. You can check with a wooden pin but keep in mind that it has to be moist still on the inside. Otherwise it will be too dry.
- Leave the cake to cool before you cut it and serve with whipped cream, extra apple or - if you can't get enough of the chocolate - chocolate milk...!
Disclaimer:
The nutritional values above are calculated per portion. The details are based on standard nutritional tables and do not constitute a professional nutritional advice.
I’ve not had apple and chocolate either but I’m game to try. Love the heart shape, hope you and your fellow ha a wonderful Valentine’s.
Oh gorgeous!!! love the cute heart shape :)) hmm… apples and chocolate do seem to be made for each other now that you mention it! :))
You know, Simone, you often don’t find apples and chocolate together – but this looks incredible! Happy Valentine’s Day! The decorative top is just beautiful!
I’ve never put apples with chocolate, but it’s looks beautiful and tasty. How about pears. Wouldn’t that work too?
GORGEOUS!!!! The apples n chocolate is superb idea!
What an interesting recipe! I’ve nver thought to combine apples and chocolate. ANd that heart-shaped pan is too cute. I love it! Happy valentine’s day (one day late:) )
Lovely idea to fight off the cold! Your cake looks delicious…and the heart shaped pan, wonderful!
I love apples…I love chocolate and I love how you married them! So befitting in a heart shape. Well done!
Diane
Simone, this is really lovely. I lovelovelove the idea of apples in the chocolate cake. We’ve just returned from Milano, where it was cold but not snowing. We had about 20 cm of new snow while we were gone… Ew. This cake sounds like the perfect antidote to this cold weather! Thanks for posting this.
Great idea to use up all those flours on this gorgeous cake. They add more flavor and unique texture. Apples and chocolate, another nice twist! How did you do the stencil on the top? It adds so much to the presentation!
The pattern on top is from a template I received as a gift ages ago. I guess it would work with paper as well. Just cut out some patterns put it on top of the cake and sprinkle the icing sugar over it…. Very simple!
This looks definitely good to eat. Mind to send the heart shaped cake to me? ;DD
Great looking cake… like a big brownie… I loved the powder sugar design!!!
A gorgeous & tasty looking chocolate apple cake, Simone!!
I also gave you an AWARD, dear friend!! Yeah!!!
Divine Simone! The heart shaped cake looks cute…hope you had a great day!
Didn’t realize it was so cold there Simone! We are sweating buckets here in Sydney (when we aren’t being drenched by the rain!)… Your chocolate cake looks good enough to melt anyone’s heart and maybe even the dreary weather!