bohemianwanderer – This forest floor-inspired cocoa cake brings together rich chocolate flavors, a fragrant rosemary ganache, and playful, nature-themed decorations. Begin by heating your oven to 190C (170C fan)/375F/gas 5, and grease and line a 28cm x 23cm baking tin. To prepare the cake base, sift the dry ingredients—plain flour, unsweetened cocoa powder, baking powder, bicarbonate of soda, and fine sea salt—into a large bowl. In a separate bowl, whisk together the eggs, caster sugar, and soft brown sugar until slightly thickened. Add the olive oil, melted butter, and vanilla extract to the egg mixture, and whisk well. Then, mix in the kefir until smooth.
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Next, dissolve the instant coffee granules in 100ml of hot water and add the coffee liquid to the batter. Whisk the mixture gently until smooth (it will be quite runny). Pour the batter into the prepared tin and bake for 30 minutes, or until a skewer inserted in the center comes out with a few moist crumbs. Allow the cake to cool completely in the tin before turning it out onto a board.
While the cake cools, prepare the rosemary chocolate ganache. In a small saucepan, heat the double cream and rosemary until just steaming. Remove from the heat and let it steep for 10 minutes. After steeping, reheat the cream and strain it over the chopped dark chocolate in a bowl. Discard the rosemary, stir the mixture until smooth, and add a pinch of flaky sea salt. Let the ganache cool to a spreadable consistency, then spread it evenly over the cooled cake.
Decorating the Forest Floor Cake with Creative Garnishes
The real magic of this cake lies in its creative forest floor decorations, which bring the cake to life with a mix of textures and colors. Start with the base ‘soil’ layer by scattering cocoa nibs over the surface of the cake. This will add a crunchy texture and a woodsy bitterness. Crumble some chocolate cake offcuts or brownies on top to mimic earth clods.
For added visual appeal, sprinkle roughly chopped hazelnuts and finely chopped pistachio nuts to represent pebbles or gravel. Black sesame seeds can be scattered to create a speckled, organic texture, perfect for a natural look. Add a few sprigs of rosemary to evoke pine trees or small woodland trees. For an even more organic feel, place small edible flowers or micro herbs to resemble forest blooms or greenery.
For structure and a sense of decay, break chocolate shards into irregular pieces and press them upright into the cake. You can also add caramelized hazelnut praline shards to represent cracked amber or fossilized leaves. For a whimsical fairytale touch, dot small meringue mushrooms around the cake in odd-numbered clusters. Dust them lightly with cocoa powder for a realistic, earthy look.
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Finally, pipe chocolate swirls to mimic creeping vines or roots, and let some of the decorations trail off the side of the cake to create a wild, untamed feel. This imaginative cake not only tastes delicious but also doubles as an edible work of art, making it the perfect showstopper for any occasion.
