Summer has already arrived and we all are trying to get rid of our excess weight, which (unfortunately) has developed during winter months. But I do not believe any of us can resist a sweet treat every once in a while:-) I do not believe in light foods or lighter than the lightest ingredients or low-carb snacks. I believe that if one wants to loose weight; first of all has to cut back on any kind of processed foods, even the diet bars which are supposed to keep your stomach full with fibers but actually contain much more calories than a simple sandwich.
Anyway, eat whatever you want, in small portions and go move! It is the only way to success! This cake is a helper for our small cravings for sugar, contains no butter and most of all, homemade. You can choose your favourite frosting or just make a quick cream, consisting of everyday ingredients of your kitchen and enjoy it along with a glass of homemade lemonade.
for the cake
- 4 eggs (at room temperature)
- 150 gr sugar
- 100 gr all purpose flour
- 50 gr starch
- 1 sachet of vanilla
- a teaspoon of baking powder
- 1 glass of fruit juice to soak the cake
- 1 egg
- 500 ml milk
- 3 tablespoons flour
- 7 tablespoons sugar
The recipe has been a base for a white cake actually. Because of my chocolate addiction, I started reducing the amoung of flour and adding the same amount of cacao to the batter. You can either substitute 3 tablespoons of unsweetened cacao for the same amount of flour, or can add 100grs of melted chocolate to the batter; or add it to the cream the way I did here.
Turn your oven on, to 175-180 C. Seperate eggs, whisk egg whites with your mixer until stiff peaks form, around 5 minutes, set aside. Add 4-5 tablespoon cold water to the yolks along with the sugar and mix until sugar melts and the mixture turns pale . This will help the cake rise properly. Add the rest of the ingredients to the yolks and mix until incorporated. Transfer 1/3 of egg whites to the yolks and mix well. Add rest of the whites and this time mix them with slow steady movements, always in the same direction. Pathes of whites may remain in the batter, do not overmix.
Pour the batter in a releasable 24 or 26 cm pan, layered with the baking paper. Bake 25-30 minutes in preheated oven. Let rest 5 minutes after taking the pan out, then release the sides and leave the cake to cool on a wire rack. Divide the cake horizontally in two layers. Pour the type of fruit juice or syrup you like over the first layer. The lack of butter makes this soaking process necessary. Let it absorb the liquid equally. Place the cream over the first layer and top with the second. Pour the rest of the juice on top of the cake and apply the cream. Sprinkle whit chopped pistachos or nuts. Allow the flavours to develop 4-5 hours in the fridge. Serve with homemade lemonade. Enjoy!
Lemonade
Another old recipe that I learned from the mother of a good friend of mine. You need pesticide free, thin skinned lemons and sugar only. I used five lemons, ending up half a liter of lemon concentrate, which makes more than 20 glasses of lemonade. You may use any amount you want, just measure 100grs of sugar for each lemon. Wash them carefully and cut in small cubes with their skins on. Mix with sugar and leave on your counter overnight. Next day you will find the sugar already melted by the help of lemon juice.
Using a kitchen sieve or a thin cloth, strain the mixture to another bowl. You can put small amounts in the cloth and press with your hands to squeeze the lemons completely. Then pour the liquid in a clean glass bottle and keep refrigerated. It keeps a long time in the fridge. All you need to do is to fill your glass with ice cubes and maybe a couple of fresh mint sprigs; then to add lemon concentrade to cover the bottom. Fill the glass with water or soda and enjoy this refreshing homemade summer drink.
Have a good summer season all!
Oh, these look really good! I'll have to look for decent lemons, and try out the lemonade. I just got the worst craving.. :)
Hello Anne, hope the weather is hot enough in Sweden to enjoy a cold lemonade:-) Here in Athens we had the coolest weekend for june. Greetings...
Delicious! You're right, no one could resist this treat of Chocolate cake and lemonade!
Paz