Having been spending lots of time in my friend Sarah’s kitchen, it is unsurprising that influence of her excellent book Sweet Bite Sized Bakes has rubbed off on me. Miniature need not be fiddly or time-consuming, it certainly can be, but these mini cakes did not take much longer to make, and were certainly quicker to bake, than a large cake.
My mantra of “it’s better in a bundt” will ring out alongside “it’s marvellous in miniature” from now on. A one egg mix makes tonnes of little cakes, so you are in the wonderful position of eating more cakes, but less cake at the same time.
One of my favourite cake recipes, and one I have not made for quite some time is Nigella’s chocolate and marmalade cake, which from looking through my archives I made way back in January 2011. It is a breeze to make and I should really make it more than once ever 18 months. Simply melt butter in a saucepan, add chocolate and when both are melted add sugar, marmalade, eggs and flour. Stir and bake. Barely any washing up which should make it a hit in any kitchen. Whilst making this the other day I felt like I was having a drink with an old friend, and even with my twist on the recipe was just as good as I had remembered.
Nigella’s original recipe is available online, just google for “Nigella Chocolate Marmalade Cake”, I swapped the marmalade for blackcurrant jam, and halved the amount of sugar.
I used my mini muffin and mini canelé silicon trays for my cakes (the mini canelés are about the size of my thumb nail), even if you are confident about their non stickiness I still recommend a good spray of Dr Oetker’s cake release spray – the best I have found for performance, price and ingredients.
The buttercream was made with the new Kerrygold Softer Butter I had been given to try out, which astonishingly is soft enough to whip up a mere 5 minutes after removing it from the fridge, a bonus if you tend towards the disorganised and do not plan ahead. Unlike other softer, spreadable butters in tubs the product is 100% butter (no added vegetable oils) with a little salt. The spreadability comes from the softer milk fats from the Kerrygold cows and the methods used to churn and make the butter.
The mini cakes were sliced in half and spread with buttercream and jam, and I piped a star of mixed buttercream and jam onto the mini canelé cakes.
Janice
They look mighty yummy, Helen. I like the mantras ESP as they are cake related!
Helen
Cake related mantras are the best Janice!
Workinglondonmummy
I made something similar but your cake looks much softer and yummier I used simple choc sponge recipe.I do love mini cakes though!
Helen
Mini is good. Each one is the volume of an egg white, as I freeze my egg whites in the same tray
Jacqueline
Haha, you are getting as bad as me, I think it was 5 challenges on.one post. These sound & look seriously brill. I will be giving them a go with my wee helper.
Anne
I too am never organised so soft butter sounds great! Also thanks for tip on cake release spray, hate greasing tins!
Love your mini cakes – I love Nigella’s marmalade cake had never thought about trying with different fruit!
the caked crusader
I’m sure that cake at the front, in the first photo is calling to me. It’s saying “eat me”!
Helen
You could pop it in in one go! Go on have 2!
JohannaGGG
love the idea of substituting another jam for the marmalade – I love this recipe of nigellas and love your little cake bites
Jude A Trifle Rushed
They are so scrumptious looking, I love Sarah’s book and am looking forward to some mini baking in the Autumn.
And I love your bundt mantra, I completely agree:-)
Mich - Piece of Cake
HI I am dropping by via Tea Time Treats. These look so delicious and I wish I could pop a couple in right away!
Ren Behan
Lovely little things. Am drooling. The blackcurrant jam in place of marmalade is a great idea, a must try!
Choclette
These look really cute Helen and the thought of them made and filled with that blackcurrant and chilli jam really has my mouth watering. Thanks for entering these into WSC.
But only 4 challenges!!!!
Sarah, Maison Cupcake
Too much time spent in the Maison Cupcake kitchen indeed! I like the little bitesize ones piped with pink! Thanks for entering Forever Nigella! x