Welcome to this month’s Sweet Adventures Blog Hop!
As far as I'm concerned no high tea is complete without a decadent chocolate dessert. And as soon as I saw the beautiful Triple Chocolate Honeycomb Cake on the cover with [amazon_link id="1849751439" target="_blank" ]Tea With Bea: Recipes from Bea's of Bloomsbury[/amazon_link] I was in love. In fact, this book, and the cake was what inspired this months Sweet Adventures High Tea theme because, honestly, I wanted an excuse to make this cake. Not that I ever need an excuse to make chocolate cake though.
In my opinion, High Tea calls for mini desserts, such as cupcakes, scones and mini tarts, so the cake had to be minified and made into sweet decadent little individual treats. After all the only thing better than a slice of cake is having a whole cake to yourself ;).
So this Triple Chocolate Honeycomb Cake starts with a deliciously light fine crumbed chocolate cake that contains both chocolate and cocoa. Layers of cake are then sandwiched together with a velvety smooth chocolate mousse like Chocolate Italian Buttercream. Finally, it's all then smothered in a Chocolate Ganache and topped off with a golden halo of crunchy honeycomb crumbs.
This gorgeous cake is decadent, delicious and dreamy. And for a triple chocolate cake it has a surprisingly light texture thanks to the soft crumbly cake and soft and luscious Italian Buttercream.
So tell me, what dessert do you think is essential at a good high tea? And do you like champagne with your high tea?
Recipe
Ingredients
- CHOCOLATE BUTTERMILK CAKE
- 110 g of 70% cocoa chocolate chopped into pea sized pieces
- 35 g of Dutch process cocoa
- 90 g of unsalted butter
- 2 eggs
- 80 g of caster sugar
- 70 g of brown sugar
- 90 g of plain flour all purpose
- ¼ tsp of baking soda
- pinch of salt
- 125 ml of buttermilk
- CHOCOLATE ITALIAN BUTTERCREAM
- 180 g of caster sugar
- 2 tsp of golden syrup
- 50 ml water
- 3 egg whites
- 300 g of unsalted butter at room temperature, and cut into cubes
- 60 g of 70% cocoa chocolate cut into pea sized pieces
- CHOCOLATE GANACHE
- 125 ml whipping cream
- 1 ½ tbs of golden syrup
- 175 g of 70% cocoa chocolate cut into pea sized pieces
- ½ tsp of vanilla extract
- 40 g of unsalted butter cut into cubes
- DECORATION
- honeycomb
Instructions
- Begin by making the cake. Preheat the oven to 170 degrees celsius (340 Fahrenheit) and line a 30cm x 20cm lamington (sheet) pan with baking paper.
- Place the chocolate and cocoa in a heat proof bowl and set aside. Place the butter in a small saucepan over a medium-high heat until melted. Pour into the chocolate and cocoa mixture and stir until smooth. Set aside.
- In a separate bowl whisk together the eggs and sugar until the sugar is dissolved. Pour into the chocolate mixture and stir until well combined.
- Sift the flour, baking soda and salt into a separate bowl. Sift again.
- Add one third of the flour mixture to the chocolate mixture and mix until well combined. Add half the buttermilk and mix until combined. Add another third of the flour mixture, mixing until combined, before adding the remaining buttermilk and flour. When the mixture is thoroughly combined pour into the prepared lamington pan.
- Bake for 15 to 17 minutes of until the cake springs bake when pressed. Remove from the oven and let cool in the pan for 10 minutes before removing and allowing to cool on a wire rack.
- Next make the Italian buttercream. Place the sugar, golden syrup and water in a saucepan and mix until well combined. Use a pastry brush to dislodge any stray grains of sugar before placing over a high heat. Bring to a rapid boil and add a sugar thermometer. Cook until the mixture reaches 120 celsius (248 Fahrenheit) and remove from the heat.
- Place the egg whites in the bowl of an electric mixer and whisk to soft peaks. With the mixer running, slowly pour the sugar syrup into the bowl, being careful not to touch the whisk, and continue whisking until the mixture cools slightly. Add the butter, one third at a time, and whip until fully incorporated. Then add the cooled melted chocolate and whisk until well combined.
- To make the ganache place chocolate in a heat proof bowl and place the cream and golden syrup in a saucepan and bring to a boil. Pour the cream over the chocolate and set aside for 1 minute.
- Using a small balloon whisk placed in the middle of the bowl use small motions to stir and combine the chocolate and cream. At first it will look like nothing is happening, but soon you will see a thick mass of glossy chocolate mixture form. Slowly circle the whisk outwards, incorporating more cream and continue until you have a smooth glossy mixture. Add the butter and vanilla extract and stir to combine.
- Assemble the cakes by using a 7cm cookie cutter and cutting 10 circles from the cake to make 5 cakes. Using a spatula and spread the bottom of each cake with a thick layer of buttercream. Top with another round of cake. Spread a thin layer of buttercream all over the cake with a spatula and smooth as much as you can. Refrigerate the cakes for 1 hour.
- By this point the chocolate ganache will have thickened. Place the mixture in a microwave safe jug and microwave for 10 seconds at a time until the mixture is glossy and the consistency of water. Pour the mixture over the top of the first cake and use a spatula to gently smooth over the top, which will force the mixture down the sides of the cake. Add additional ganache to ensure the cake is completely coated. Cover the remaining cakes, ensuring that the ganache remains the consistency of water and microwaving to melt as necessary.
- Decorate each cake with honeycomb just before serving.
Laura (Tutti Dolci) says
Gorgeous cakes, I love the honeycomb topping!
Daisy@Nevertoosweet says
As soon as I saw the picture on your Facebook page I had to come over and have a look! These are amazing! I could one, two or even three right now! 🙂 I'm such a sucker for chocolate and honeycomb and obviously just all desserts hahaha NOMZ!But wow there are quite a few elements...not sure if I can handle it but definitely want to try!
Jennifer says
Thanks Daisy 😀 I know you'd love them. They are just chocolatey enough without being sickly. I really had to work hard to resist the urge to have a second cake 😉
K-bobo @ Gormandize with A-dizzle & K-bobo says
This looks seriously decadent!
Christine @ Cooking Crusade says
What a decadent and delicious looking recipe! I just love high tea (I went yesterday actually. lol) and I totally think it should always include some chocolatey goodness but I'm gonna be traditional and say that no high tea is complete without scones (which is by no actual coincidence my latest blog post hahaha)
Nic@diningwithastud says
Perfect for the theme Jen 🙂 Its gorgeously decadent
Claire @ Claire K Creations says
Oh my goodness these look good! You'd already think you were in for a treat but then digging in and finding the butter-cream in the middle.... mmmmm! Something citrusy is always a must just to balance the chocolate.
jenny says
wow that looks amazing Jennifer! you should open up a cake shop, and sell these, i would be there with bells on! btw champagne is an absolute high tea essential!
Jennifer says
Awww thanks Jenny, you are too kind 😀 I might have to start taking orders 😉
Barb | Creative Culinary says
Why this looks simply delicieux! Seriously...gorgeous cake.
Jennifer says
Thanks Barb 😀
Joanna @ Chic & Gorgeous Treats says
Jen, these TRIPLE threat cakes.. well they are to me.. simply stunning and I want to dig in right away. Honeycomb? Yummm!!! I really could use one, okay maybe I am being modest.. I want like a whole lot so I could share this goodness with my family and friends. Hehehe.. Have a great week ahead. xoxo
Jennifer says
Thanks Joanna 😀 They are evil because I just had to have one 😉 I hope you'll join this months blog hop. I know you'd whip up something fabulous!
Choc Chip Uru says
Decadence at its best my friend :DCheersChoc Chip Uru
Flick Your Food says
I am drooling looking over those photos, cant wait to try
Jennifer says
Thank you 😀 Please let me know what you think if you try them.
thelittleloaf says
These look utterly amazing and I love that you've made them mini. If you ever come to the UK you have to go to Bea's Cafe!
Jennifer says
I definitely will go to Bea's cafe. Have you been? I just adore her book. Everything looks so good.
Maureen | Orgasmic Chef says
These gems make me want cake right now and it's time to cook dinner. I'd rather have cake please. I love honeycomb and everything about this dessert. Great photos as usual!
Kathryn says
Such a beautiful cake, I can understand why you wanted an excuse to make it! (Not that I think I would need one...)
Jennifer says
Hehe I didn't really need one either 😉 The cake is just gorgeous.
Anna says
I love the looks of these! I can almost taste them! Yum!
Erin @ she cooks, she gardens says
Oh my, Jennifer, this is AMAZING! You have seriously outdone yourself with this dish, so beautiful. Is it wrong that I feel like I put on 5 kilos just looking at it? 🙂
Lorraine @ Not Quite Nigella says
I love that cross section photo! You can see how lusciously soft it is in it! And champagne yes perhaps but most definitely tea with my afternoon tea 🙂
Sara (Belly Rumbles) says
Oh my, they are just so gorgeous, I can see why they were your inspiration.
[email protected] says
Hi JenniferLove your chocolate cakes, they are beautiful with that surprise filling inside. Just wanted to try and find out why my link hasnt appeared yet. Did it come through OK? Tania
Jennifer says
Hi Tania,It did come through but I was asleep when it did so have only just approved it. 😀 By the way, would you mind changing the link to my site to the link to this post so people have instructions on how to join if they would like to join us? Thanks 😀
Ilan (IronWhisk Blog) says
Wow. That looks so good!
Julia | JuliasAlbum.com says
These little cakes look so cute!!! Great photos!
Jennifer says
Thanks Julia 😀
Lisa H. says
OMG... I am getting hyper by just looking at these delicious sweet treat... :DIn my happy happy place
Amy @ Food Crush says
You are one talented lady! I can see you winning the Great British Bake Off (my favourite TV show). 🙂
Jennifer says
Thanks Amy, you are too sweet 😀 I love Great British Bake Off too. A bit far for me to go to compete though 😉 not that I would ever feel confident enough to.
Kristi@My San Francisco Kitchen says
Beautiful cake, and photography too!
Nami | Just One Cookbook says
Really, really beautiful. Your detail work shows in the pictures, Jennifer! I never get disappointed by coming here. Never! Absolutely gorgeous desserts that they are too precious to eat... 🙂