You know, I have never tried making cakes with icing on it. I enjoyed looking at nice birthday cakes at bakeries and am always amazed on how creative people are in making them. So, I think I better start simple and especially so when I have a birthday boy at home recently who has always clamored for a “birthday cake with icing”. I made a Coffee Cake with Chocolate Frosting.

Some months back, I bought a book called “1000 Chocolate Baking and Dessert Recipes — from Around the World” for just $24.99. I like recipe books that has lots of pictures and have been flipping through them and bookmarking some of the pages. This is my first attempt, sort of my first of 1000 chocolate cakes/dessert! 🙂

This Coffee Cake is intensely flavoured and is complemented with delicious chocolate frosting, sans decoration. Since I did not have an icing spatula and other stuff for decorating, I made it real simple. I think I will get myself these stuff one of these days and start making nicer looking ones.

Ingredients

• 6 oz butter, softened, plus extra for greasing
• Scant 1 cup golden superfine sugar
• 3 eggs, beaten
• 2 cups self-rising flour, sifted
• Scant 1/2 cup strong black coffee
• 1 can of creamy chocolate frosting

Steps

I started off preheating the oven to 350F. I then greased and base-line 2 x 8 inch layer cake pans. I put the butter and sugar in a bowl and beat them together until they are light and fluffy.

I then gradually beat in the eggs, and then fold in the flour and coffee.

I divided the batter among the prepared pans and bake in the oven for 30 minutes until they are well-risen and springy to the touch.

I leave it in the pans for 5 minutes, and then turn out and remove the paper. Place on wire racks to cool completely.

I then sandwiched the two cakes together with some of the frosting and spread the rest over the top and sides. Here is how it looks like:

I must say I am pretty pleased with the result although I was apprehensive about how it will turn out. Happy Birthday, “birthday boy”!