Chocolate Espresso gateau … my kind of indulgence
‘Twas my parents anniversary a week ago & being the designated baker there was little choice but to bake a cake. But living life in the unglamorous fast lane, all my fault, is never easy, & I talked my mother into agreeing that the cake could be given a pass. The eleventh hour plunged me into guilt, & I had an hour & a half before fetching the kids from the bus-stop after school.
The easiest was going to be a Swiss roll. The recipe firmly ingrained in my memory…3 eggs, 1/2 cup flour, 1/2 cup powdered sugar…I hit the kitchen counter. Thankfully I’m now a little more organised & keep jelly pan liners cut to size in pairs (just in case the electricity disappears halfway through). Slapped on a cake, quite literally in 15 minutes. Wanted a coffee overdose (hmmm, so what’s new?), so made a coffee sponge. Just beat in some yummy instant Nescafe taster’s Choice (a medium roast coffee made from Arabica beans from Columbia) that the younger sis in Houston regularly spoils me with. She makes sure a jar is sent to me every so often; it’s one I like the full-bodied aroma of & act like Uncle Scrooge with it. LOL…small things in life matter most!
The origin of the term “espresso” is the subject of considerable debate. Although some Anglo-American dictionaries simply refer to one Italian meaning (“pressed-out”), referring to the brewing method, as with the English word “express,” “espresso” also carries the meanings of “just for you” and “quickly,” both of which also describe the espresso process. It is not pronounced “expresso,” though this is a common misconception.
The Swiss roll got put together so quick, that while shoving it into the oven, I pictured 8 slices of cake & a hungry boy asking for seconds. What a bummer…guilt again. I knew the boy would pester me for more, & what’s a cake without seconds anyway (thirds in the kids’ case)!! Aaargh…muttering non-printables under my stressed breath, cursing my silly conscience, I threw in another 3 eggs into the same bowl… reuse = less washing up!! First thought, Le Opera, which I had first seen at Manggy’s ages ago, loved it, but once I read the level of involvement, swore I would NEVER try. I think it was around this time I discovered his wonderful blog, No Special Effects, surfing the net for Opera cakes. Do check out his post here; that cake is spectacular. Missed the Daring Bakers Opera Challenge with a severed vein in my right hand, so my swearing was working. Thinking quick, dumped the jaconde idea (too involved, no time). Not knowing which direction I was heading in, substituted 2 tbsps flour for cocoa, & made the next Swiss roll, a chocolate one. 
Whipped some low fat cream with powdered sugar & the instant coffee, threw in some coffee essence for good measure, hoped it wouldn’t be too bitter. Grabbed the only silly looking square platter I own, & sandwiched my sponges! I cut 1/3 off each sponge, & used it to make my 3rd layer. All this was done at express speed…then off I rushed to the bus-stop!
Shoved it into the fridge where it sat overnight, getting mature & moist, the flavours marrying to perfection!! Did the sides with the left-over coffee cream, made some Chantilly cream for the top. Strange thoughts cross the mind at strange times. Was thinking of how to do the top, & filigree came to my mind, which I had done on this Strawberry Chocolate Swiss Roll. I wanted something more challenging as I suddenly had time on my hands with the cake ready. Have been fascinated by Celtic knots for years & used to draw them for hours WHEN I had time (6 years ago), before the kids became big & hungry!! I remember how inspired my daughter used to get, & she used to keep me company for hours, trying to copy what I was doodling. So I opened up my sketch books, chose a knot suitable for a square cake (this is my first attempt at a square cake), put parchment over it, held it down with double sided tape, & traced out my knot with melted chocolate from a baggie with the corner snipped away.
It’s not the best of knots, but I think I’ll try & improve on it in the time to come. Was a great feeling though, tracing my own hand drawing & transferring it onto a cake…YAY!! When the daughter saw me doing the piece for the icing, she slunk away & made a card with a Celtic knot for the gift!
Time for the recipe:-
Chocolate Espresso Gateau…putting an express cake together
Coffee Sponge
Ingredients:
Eggs -3
Powdered Sugar – 1/2 cup
Flour – 1/2 cup
Instant Coffee – 1 generous tbsp
Method:
-
Preheat oven to 190 degrees C. Line a Swiss roll tin with baking parchment, grease it & dust it with flour.
-
Beat eggs with sugar till thick & mousse like. Fold in flour, gently, so that the beaten air is not released.
-
Pour batter into a lined, greased & floured Swiss roll tin. Bake for 12-15 minutes till done, & lightly coloured.
-
Turn out to cool on rack, immediately removing the lining.
Chocolate Sponge
Ingredients:
Eggs – 3
Powdered Sugar – 1/2 cup
Flour – 1/2 cup minus 2 tbsps
Cocoa – 2 tbsps
Method:
- Preheat oven to 190 degrees C. Line a Swiss roll tin with baking parchment, grease it & dust it with flour.
- Sift flour & cocoa.
- Beat eggs with sugar till thick & mousse like. Fold in flour, gently, so that the beaten air is not released.
- Pour batter into a lined, greased & floured Swiss roll tin. Bake for 12-15 minutes till done, & lightly coloured.
- Turn out to cool on rack, immediately removing the lining.
Coffee Cream
Ingredients:
-
Whip all the above till thick.
Chantilly Cream
Ingredients:
Cream – 200ml
Powdered Sugar – 2 tbsps
Pure Vanilla Extract – 1 tsp
Method:
-
Whip all above till thick.
Assembling:
Cut 1/3 of each sponge off, & reserve. Place the 2/3 portion of the coffee sponge on your cake platter. Spread about 1/3 of the coffee cream over it. Top this with a 1/3 bit of coffee sponge, & a 1/3 bit of chocolate sponge ( 1/3+1/3 = 2/3 = middle layer of gateau).
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Deeba @ PAB
About me: I am a freelance food writer, recipe developer and photographer. Food is my passion - baking, cooking, developing recipes, making recipes healthier, using fresh seasonal produce and local products, keeping a check on my carbon footprint and being a responsible foodie! I enjoy food styling, food photography, recipe development and product reviews. I express this through my food photographs which I style and the recipes I blog. My strength lies in 'Doing Food From Scratch'; it must taste as good as it looks, and be healthy too. Baking in India, often my biggest challenge is the non-availability of baking ingredients, and this has now become a platform to get creative on. I enjoy cooking immensely as well.
53 Comments
Bellini Valli
Your cakes are always a thing of beauty. If I only had a short period of time I would probably have resorted to a boxed cake mix.
Purnima
Wonderful cake, wonderful pattern! Glad u changed ur mind n baked! Wow..amazing!!
Meher-that design for grand parents is a beauty!
nicisme
You’re killing me with this! It looks fabulous, great Celtic knot – loved that your daughter got inspiration from it.
meeso
Happy Belated Anniversary to your parents! I love the design on the top of your cake and it sounds absolutely delicious!
anudivya
THat looks insanely beautiful. Totally digging the celtic knot design.
Happy cook
Iclude me too for this coffee indulgence. The cake looks so super delicious.
I am sure yor mom was happy to see this cake.
Alexa
That looks so beautiful and decadent! You are an amazing baker. Happy anniversary to your parents!
Gloria
Deeba!!! This is to die for!!! I love how you put the chocolate,the garnish, all is beauty!!!! xxGloria
Manggy
Thank you for the compliment, Deeba, but I think you have done phenomenally well for yourself here. That Celtic Knot is perfect and I can’t stop staring at it! Very well done and happy anniversary to your parents!
Ivy
Deeba, your cake is “art”. The first part sounds easy but the decoration is a difficult challenge. Well done!!
Bunny
WOW! It’s a masterpiece! You are very talented!! I know my attempt at this cake would pale in comparison! It’s beautiful!
Lori Lynn
The Celtic Knot is over the top! Wow! Great cake and Happy Anniversary to your folks.
Pearlsofeast
Oh my god what a beauty and it is really an indulgence, ur parents must be proud of u seeing a daughter baking a cake much better than the one sold in the bakeries.10 points to you Deeba, keep it up.
Kalai
I think I need a bucket to catch all the drool here! Deeba, it looks absolutely phenomenal!! And that Celtic knot is just too awesome. 🙂
Ruth
Your cake is beautiful! I love the celtic knot!! so delicious looking!
Divya Kudua
You make it sound so easy Dee..dumping this and that into the bowl..;-)I need so much time prior to baking a simplest of simple cake and you make this pro looking stuff within 1 1/2 hours..??You rock!!
Anonymous
That cake looks simply gorgeous. And you made it up as you went – amazing! I visit your blog often and enjoy reading your posts but haven’t had luck leaving comments – blogger rejects it. Let me see if it goes through this time.
Mamatha
Nachiketa
Well done!!!!! is an understatement… 🙂
Nazarina A
This is amazing ! I wish I was there for a little slice! All your ingredients spells perfection and that it is the final result the Celtic knot! You have read my mind, I am doing a post on the Celtic knot as well but it is not a cake! I wanted to pay homage to the Irish ! I have fond memories of all things Irish! I was engaged to be married to an Irishman and was to be wed in Ireland…..but it was not ordained for me! I do not know why I am sharing this with you, maybe it is because of the beautiful Celtic Knot!
arundati
babe!! you make throwing together sound soooo fabulous…looks great too!! congratulate your parents for me…. love the filigree…celtic knots… work of art… whatever they’re called…. wow!! wow!! wow!!
SMN
Deeba that is so yummy..im lost of words..
Amu...
Belated Diwali Wishes Deeba…How are you doing?
The Cake looks Awesome and the Celtic Knots done to perfection…
I have little something for you at my Blog…check out
http://amusworld.blogspot.com/
-Amu 🙂
Aparna
You made the perfect cake for your parents anniversary. Best wishes to them.
I love celtic knots too. Used to do a lot of glass painting with them.:)
Zita
WICKED!!! The celtic knot is the extra care u add,a great lovely cake for three generations celebration 😉
Susan from Food Blogga
Oh, Deeba, you never cease to amaze me with your talents. This is positively beautiful.
Simona
I love the Celtic knot decoration! Given my abysmal decorating skills, I can only admire your beautiful cake and sigh.
Helene
This is so beautiful & I love that Celtic deco. You are doing so well with desserts.
Psychgrad
I wonder how many cakes are made for reasons of guilt worldwide… For a first chocolate celtic knot, it’s beautiful. I’m having a hard time imagining how you worked with the parchment to make it. Did you pipe it onto the parchment and then transfer it from the parchment to the cake?
AK Mom
What an amazing looking cake! I wish I had a piece right now. 🙂
Please stop by my blog for a special surprise. )
Krysta
wow! you made those cakes that quickly? i’m astounded and bow in your baking prowess!
Mansi
that looks like one swell cake! I baked Mocha brownies today, but I think your cake sounds more inviting:) wanna switch!?:)D
Shillu
awesome! love the deep color! I bet it tasted great!
Cakespy
This is a serious cake. Oh, how I wish I could have helped you eat it!
Amu...
Lovely New Look Deeba 🙂
Meeta K
i just knew you would like this one! and i was not expecting anything less than an incredible cake creation from you. deeba lovely.
the new look is very refreshing!
Rico
WOW …that is not just a cake that is a work of art, and looks soooooo tasty…I twist and turn in my chair wanting a piece but knowing I can’t have any is torture…you are amazing
Uj
Wow/.. cake looks sinfully yummy.. Warm wishes to your parents.. 🙂
Palidor
Your photographs are as wonderful as your food. I love how you do the photo collages. I’ve tagged you on my blog. Please check it out when you have time.
Ivy
Deeba your site looks beautiful. I love your new theme. The header is also beautiful.
Reeni
This cake is so wonderful! I love the Celtic knot, you did a great job on it. It looks beautiful. How sweet that your daughter went and made a card too. I bet that cake was heavenly to eat!
familiabencomo
An HOUR & a HALF!!!!! Nothing else to do?!?!?! You kill me, Deeba! Here I am complaining about being busy. My solution: eat the kids' Halloween candy while they're at school. Bless you, dear. And, many blessing to your parents. Happy Anniversary!!!! WooHoo!
Tanti baci,
Amy
P.S. My DH was reading this post over my shoulder (very annoying btw) & was SHOCKED by how well you manage your time. Note to self: read your posts in private, run risk of looking bad. xoxox
Darius T. Williams
Looks great – I love that decoration on top!
-DTW
http://www.everydaycookin.blogspot.com
Kevin
That cake looks really good! Nice knot on top!
Bharti
Love the cake, love the knot, love the daughter’s beautiful drawing and love the new look!
Ajitha
Hi Deeba,
I am a regular visitor of your site, since i came across it, over a month now. I love the cakes you bake.. and Your present them so well!! Great work!
The new look of your blog is also very nice. Keep up the good work!
Snooky doodle
wow this is a work of art which is edible and fantastic too 🙂
Arfi Binsted
i wish i lived nearby your place, so i can always be invited for afternoon tea!
ISABELA
Hello, you got a great blog. This cake is very delicious.
Greetings from Romania
Rosie
Just stunning Deeba!
Rosie x
Jeanne
Oh Deeba! How wonderful – they must have been thrilled to get such a cake. I love the chocolate Celtic love-knot 🙂
Sunshinemom
Delicious cake, Deeba!! What else does it take to plunge you into guilt? Maybe I will just say I am coming over to Delhi and my son says he wants only Deeba Aunty’s cake????:)
Astra Libris
I am amazed! This is your “quick cake??” 🙂 It’s so incredibly beautiful – I think this cake would take most people all day to make! You are truly a culinary artist genius! Your celtic knot is absolutely a thing of perfection, as well…
Susan
Thank you so much, Deeba, for the sumptuous and heady creation. Your parents must have been thrilled! I know I am.