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Nigella Lawson

Old-fashioned Chocolate Cake


Old-fashioned Chocolate Cake

Special equipment: 2 (each 8-inch diameter) layer tins with removable bases, buttered.

Makes about 8 slices.

Ingredients

Cake

  • 200g plain flour
  • 200g caster sugar
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon bicarbonate of soda
  • 40g best-quality cocoa
  • 175g soft unsalted butter
  • 2 large eggs
  • 2 teaspoons real vanilla extract
  • 150ml sour cream

Frosting

  • 75g unsalted butter
  • 175g best quality dark chocolate, broken into small pieces
  • 300g icing sugar
  • 1 tablespoon golden syrup (or light corn syrup)
  • 125ml sour cream
  • 1 teaspoon real vanilla extract
  • sugar flowers, optional

Method

Cake

  1. Take everything out of the fridge so that all the ingredients can come to room temperature.
  2. Preheat the oven to gas mark 4/180°C and line and butter two 20cm sandwich tins with removable bases.
  3. Now all you have to do is put all the cake ingredients – flour, sugar, baking powder and bicarb, cocoa, butter, eggs, vanilla and sour cream – into a food processor and process until you have a smooth, thick batter. If you want to go the long way around, just mix the flour, sugar and leavening agents in a large bowl and beat in the soft butter until you have a combined and creamy mixture. Now whisk together the cocoa, sour cream, vanilla and eggs and beat this into your bowl of mixture.
  4. Divide this batter, using a rubber spatula to help you scrape and spread, into the prepared tins and bake until a cake tester, or a thin skewer, comes out clean, which should be about 35 minutes, but it is wise to start checking at 25. Also, it might make sense to switch the two cakes around in the oven halfway through cooking time.
  5. Remove the cakes, in their tins, to a wire rack and let cool for 10 minutes before turning out of their tins. Don’t worry about any cracks as they will easily be covered by the icing later.

Frosting

  1. To make this icing, melt the butter and chocolate in a good-sized bowl either in the microwave or suspended over a pan of simmering water. Go slowly either way: you don’t want any burning or seizing.
  2. While the chocolate and butter are cooling a little, sieve the icing sugar into another bowl. Or, easier still, put the icing sugar into the food processor and blitz. This is by far and away the least tedious way of removing lumps.
  3. Add the golden syrup to the cooled chocolate mixture, followed by the sour cream and vanilla and then when all this is combined whisk in the sieved icing sugar. Or just pour this mixture down the funnel of the food processor on to the icing sugar, with the motor running.
  4. When you’ve done, you may need to add a little boiling water – say a teaspoon or so – or indeed some more icing sugar: it depends on whether you need the icing to be runnier or thicker; or indeed it may be right as it is. It should be liquid enough to coat easily, but thick enough not to drip off.
  5. Choose your cake stand or plate and cut out four strips of baking parchment to form a square outline on it (this stops the icing running on to the plate). Then sit one of the cakes, uppermost (ie slightly domed) side down.
  6. Spoon about a third of the icing on to the centre of the cake half and spread with a knife or spatula until you cover the top of it evenly. Sit the other cake on top, normal way up, pressing gently to sandwich the two together.
  7. Spoon another third of the icing on to the top of the cake and spread it in a swirly, textured way (though you can go for a smooth finish if you prefer, and have the patience). Spread the sides of the cake with the remaining icing and leave a few minutes till set, then carefully pull away the paper strips.
  8. I love to dot the top of this with sugar pansies – and you must admit, they do look enchanting – but there really is no need to make a shopping expedition out of it. Anything, or indeed nothing, will do.
No Rating

Notes & Tips

I tend to keep my kitchen stocked with very good dark chocolate buttons (70 per cent cocoa solids) as this entirely dispenses with any need to chop chocolate before melting it. Do not dream of using normal confectionary ones (except just to eat, of course).

Recipe taken from Nigella Lawson's new cookbook FEAST.

Recipe Rating

4

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What do you think?

 
  • Rachida
    17 hours ago

    a very lovely recipe;thns for sharing

  • tammy
    23 days ago

    tammy 123456789 can you pint it because my sitter has a dizbellt and than she will know how to cook this cake.thank you.

  • Lauren
    8 months ago

    I have made this cake a million times and it always turns out perfectly! Im always so surprised that it works just throwing everything in the food processor, and comes out so moist and light. I substitute the sour cream for thickened cream when I want a less rich version :)

  • Laura488
    10 months ago

    I was excited about making this cake for a while and when my dads birthday came round i thought it would be perfect... it wasn't... i have been baking regularly for years now and this cake turned out to be nothing special (i don't know if i didn't something wrong but i followed the recipe exactly and ever looked over it again at the end to check i hadn't missed anything). I was so sorry i made this cake especially because it was for a special occasion. won't be making again

  • Megan
    11 months ago

    I baked this cake according to the recipe and it was a delightful cake, however to improve to cake it could do with a sprinkle of grated cheddar cheese, and a dash of chocolate to give it that extra flavor!

  • Kylee6
    11 months ago

    Made this it was fab. Didnt use a processor just put all ingredients in kitchen aid together and mixed till smooth. It still worked fine.

  • Alice129
    11 months ago

    I love this easy recipe. i always prepare it in advance (in the morning or evening before) but i do the icing 2hours before serving. Its out of this this world and everyone likes it.

  • Leona11
    January 2012

    I baked this cake a couple of times and it has always been perfect and appetizing. This past weekend, I put some twist on it and have discovered through this site: www.gourmetrecipe.com/recipes/chocolate-cake-moelleux-au-chocolat. It was really so delicious and would definitely prepare this again especially for my nephew who dislikes chocolates.

  • Anne
    December 2011

    Thank you for bringing your cooking talents to Lifestyle Channel, Nigella - you are a very lovely person. Could I please have the recipe to your quick mix Christmas cake with the chocolate in it? Many thanks, Anne

  • Henna Kalro
    August 2011

    made this so many times its a HIT every time non flopable . SWEAR BY IT

  • Amanda
    June 2011

    I am in the process of cokking this cake....if you don't hear back then you know it turned ugly.

  • anitabhundia
    May 2011

    Please Nigella,I watch yor shows on tv,really liked them alot but pls send me a receipe I saw u make on tv which is caramel crunch,I hav written down th ingredients but wen I make,it doesnt turn out right,but stil I mak n my boys really love it,thks n lukin 4ward 2 yor reply

  • Helena
    April 2011

    Best chocolate cake ever. It's gonna be my contribution to Easter lunch. Luv it!

  • Saige
    February 2011

    Oh MY GOD.. talk about bliss...

  • Kylie
    February 2011

    i made this the other day followed the receipe however the cakes didn't rise they were about 1.5cm each. I checked the agents but both are not expired. any ideas?

  • Frances57
    January 2011

    I think she's amazing. Everyone loves this cake

  • Nicole107
    January 2011

    very nice....I love how easy it is to make : )

  • Kym52
    October 2010

    Yum, yum and yum. My kids have told me that this is the chocolate cake I have to cook from now on.

  • Chrs Stanley
    October 2010

    Hi everybody i'm a new fulltime chef at diggies restuarant in wollongong and thought I might join up for this recipe website. it seems 2 be pretty gr8. y did all fo u guys join up for it?

  • Tim126
    October 2010

    I'm a new cook. This was my second cake and I have made it twice now. This superb recipe covered my L-plate disasters. First time I burnt one layer after only 25 mins in my not-very-good oven (didn't swap racks half way through) and I used cheap cocoa which made the sponge too bitter for me. Second time I took the sponges out too soon (thought I was being clever), found the disastrous molten centres about 10 mins later and put them back in (!) - they looked absolutely awful. However it is a mark of how great this recipe is that once the luscious (wavy) icing was applied both cakes looked FANTASTIC (much better than the pic!) outside and inside, tasted scrumptious and were devoured with enthusiasm as a luxurious decadent treat - they are extremely rich!! The second cake was greatly improved by the better quality cocoa and the icing was "to die for"! 6 stars! Hopefully I can get it all right third time :)

  • Rani Dehehder
    August 2010

    I have a problem with the icing , it isn't as smooth as nigella icing it is still good but i don't have a food processor so maybe that is the problem ?

  • learning to bake
    August 2010

    I want to make this cake but do not have bicarbonate soda, can anyone advise me what I can replace it with? and vanilla extract, can I replace that with vanilla sugar or a vanilla pod/stick

  • Silvia23
    August 2010

    This cake is sooooo delish it doesn't last long in my hous, kidz can't get enough lol !!!!.

  • Rosanna7
    July 2010

    I made this cake twices now, both for my two daughters for their bdays! They loved it and so does mum! Yum........

  • Clacla
    July 2010

    I made this cake last night and it was delicious! Very easy to make.

  • Rani
    May 2010

    I made this cake and it came out a treat. It was not that difficult to make too.

  •  Miss Moo
    April 2010

    can anyone help me size the recipe up to feed 60 people, and how big a cake tin and also how long i should cook it for ? Thanks x

  • susan foy
    April 2010

    Cakes dry out for many reasons. Don't place cakes in fridge even when covered with clingwrap. Overbeating mix will knock the air out causing a dense dry cake.

  • Roz7
    March 2010

    Can anyone tell me what I did wrong. This cake was quite dry and I did not over cook it.

  • Debbie
    March 2010

    I looked at the recipe and thought WOW....it is sooooooo long....lots of reading and interpreting. But - I must admit, it does look nice. I am very time poor. Has anyone got a quick chocolate cake recipe that is just as delicious???

  • fiona
    March 2010

    this reminds me of my grandfather.I made this for him when he was in hospital it made him so happy but he died two weeks ago R.I.P grandpa xx

  • JULIE
    February 2010

    I MADE IT, IT WAS GREAT, TASTES EVEN BETTER THE NEXT DAY.

  • Lornalass
    January 2010

    Every time I make this it tastes fantastic with great texture but the cake goes really dry really quickly - what am I doing wrong?

  • alisha
    January 2010

    hey,plz can anyone tell me that wats the time of nigella's show nigella express on bbc food/lifestyle!!

  • Kiara
    January 2010

    I made this for my dad's birthday and he was impressed, the texture of the cake is beuatiful, wonderful recipe! Willing to make over and over again. Nigella is a wonderful cook. Thank you!

  • stripecat
    January 2010

    Nigella's TV show's very good- t has tasty and easy to moderately difficult recipes.

  • stripecat
    January 2010

    I used maple syrup instead of golden syrup and it was very nice.

  • Mano
    December 2009

    i loved it

  • KMTV
    November 2009

    i thought there was a problem with the recipie quantity, the 2 cakes were very small and flat, i used and did not forget the bi-carb or baking powder. sorry but this was one cake that was not what i expected, and the 1st time a recipe did not quite work for me. dont know where i went wrong.

    • Nik
      January 2011

      When using Bicard and Baking soda you need to bake immidietaly after mixing as if all the carbon dioxide reactionn happens bfore you put it in it wont rise much at all ...

  • John
    October 2009

    Easy enough for an inexperienced cook (like me!) to make and get perfect results each time. I personally would stick to dark chocolate. I took a couple of these to work and the girls in the office were very taken with them to the extent that they didn't last beyond lunchtime

  • Susan179
    October 2009

    It lasted 2 days, CC? LOL. Be cautious about using milk chocolate. Milk chocolate is a lot sweet than bitter dark so you may have to adjust sugar levels accordingly. LOVE Nigella's stuff. Another winner.

  • CC
    October 2009

    Brilliant easy recipe. Everyone loved it. Even better 2 days after icing

  • Tickner forever :]]
    September 2009

    this is a fantastic recipes and here are some answer for those people who have questions: - what to use instead of corn syrup? use maple syrup or golden syrup even a tablespoon of honey - yes you can use just one standard cake tin it doesn't really make a difference, - and if you wanna use milk choclate instead or dar k taht is all goood i prefer milk too :] have fun cooking :]]

    • Diane
      April 2011

      Is the chocolate cooking chocolate or is it eating block chocolate - I don't know what is meant by "use the best chocolate" what do you use?

  • albatty
    August 2009

    got rave reveiws in my house gone in no time .a must keep recipe

  • Helena
    July 2009

    could you use milk chocolate instead of dark? im making it for someone who prefers milk choc over dark

  • erica
    June 2009

    if i just use 1 tin instead of 2 sandwich tins what size would i use

  • Gabz
    April 2009

    This is going to make one great 21st bday cake for my bestie!

  • GM103
    April 2009

    Even I made it, and i'm a bloke. Everybody just loved it. Just magic !!!!!

  • Veronica
    April 2009

    Are you sure I have to take everything out of the fridge before I make this cake or just the butter, eggs and cream?

    • LK56
      April 2009

      You need to take everything out when you bake the cake and get all ingredients ready beforehand. Just make sure the temperature in your kitchen isn't too hot. Remember, Nigella bakes in temperatures a lot colder than ours.

  • hungry girl
    April 2009

    Hi Kim .... I'm intrigued ... would you be willing to share??

  • kim at allconsuming
    January 2009

    This cake has replaced the never-failed chocolate cake recipe I've been baking for the last decade. Judith - I think I use maple syrup or honey or golden syrup instead of the corn syrup.

  • judith23
    January 2009

    what can I use instead of corn syrup, I can't find it here in Australia

    • Dee
      June 2011

      You will get it in the health food shops or some supermarkets - there is light corn syrup and dark corn syrup - but yes, you do get it here.

    • Meredith
      April 2011

      Hi Judith, corn syrup can be replaced by golden syrup its pretty similar thats what I've always done with US recipes and its worked fine. .

    • lilly
      June 2010

      or even use honey

    • Lilly
      June 2010

      you can just use golden syrup.

    • LK56
      April 2009

      golden syrup is available here and is the preferred syrup for the recipe.

    • kim at allconsuming
      January 2009

      Some of the bigger Coles supermarkets carry corn syrup but otherwise you'll find it at a decent health food shop. It's hideous stuff and expensive too. I normally replace it with something else like golden syrup or maple syrup, depending on the recipe.

    • jim
      January 2009

      Corn Syrup as well. She actually refers to both of these in the show.

    • Jim
      January 2009

      Glucose. Coles has it.

  • AG67
    January 2009

    This is absolutely gorgeous!!! Nigella is just fantastic.

  • Caitlin
    December 2008

    Fantstic, i have tried this recipe and it looks fit for the queen, it is sweet and very rich, though i dressed the mix up with some hazelnuts, which makes the whole ckae so yummy, you want it all for yourself!!

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