CHOCOLATE ORANGE CLOUD GATEAU…WALKING ON CLOUDS!!
“After about 20 years of marriage, I’m finally starting to scratch the surface of what women want. And I think the answer lies somewhere between conversation and chocolate.”
Mel Gibson
Chocolate Orange Cloud Gateau…
I love cake making occasions & am beginning to explore newer avenues. Loads of experience & some success has made me bolder! One of the 2 books that are parked at my bedside are ‘Cream Cakes & Gateaux’ by Sue Ross. She says …‘Homemade cream cakes are irresistibly compulsive – and you don’t have to be an expert to gain perfect results. Even the most spectacular results need no more than a quick final assembly of parts that have been cooked ahead“. How true, & beautifully worded. I advocate her theory completely…
Sheer indulgence…delightful & delicious!!
This cake is an adaptation of the ‘Mandarin Orange Cloud Gateau’ from her book. The basic sponge & sandwiching are quite the same, & I chose to make the topping dark chocolate. The flavours of chocolate, orange & almond tie up really nicely & make for a luscious dessert. I made this one for our anniversary… & was AMAZED at how moist & beautiful the sponge turned out. It was a complete departure from all other recipes I have ever used; & I can honestly say it’s the best sponge ever. The difference probably lay in the use of oil & a little orange juice in the sponge, as well as the egg whites & yolks being separated. I made the sponge day before & sandwiched it. I frosted & dressed it up yesterday in the morning…it couldn’t have been easier & more spectacular in taste! When we cut the cake this afternoon, we were all like ‘WOW‘!!
A Luscious Treat Alright!
Can’t believe I’ve been sitting on this book for ages…Sue Ross’s book is a WINNER!! (The book is a small pocket type edition, published by Hamlyn in 1991). The author rightly says that these cakes should be kept as a treat as they provide a touch of luxury & a sense of sheer indulgence. Without any more words…
…the Recipe, as adapted from Mandarin Orange Cloud Gateau by Sue Ross, pg 17.
Ingredients:
Plain flour – 150gms (1 1/4 cups)
Cornflour – 25gms (1/8 cup)
Baking powder – 2 tsps
Pinch of salt
Icing Sugar – 150gms (1 1/4 cup)
Oil – 5 tbsps (I used sunflower oil)
Water – 5 tbsps
Eggs – 3 / separated
Zest of 1 orange
Orange juice – 1 tbsp
Filling:
Whipping Cream – 200ml
Almonds – 3 tbsp (ground)
Castor sugar – 2-3 tbsps
Ganache:
Cream – 150 ml (15% fat)
Dark chocolate – 150gms / broken into pieces
Some extra chocolate for garnishing (grated, scrolls etc)
Silver dragees, orange slices, powdered sugar etc for garnishing.
Method:
- Preheat the oven to 190 degrees C. Line an 8″ springform tin. (the original recipe uses 2 8″ sandwich tins)
- Sift the cornflour + flour + baking powder + salt + icing sugar (yes, it’s correct) into a mixing bowl.
-
Beat the egg whites till they stand in soft peaks & keep aside.
-
Lightly beat the oil + water + yolks together & stir into the dry ingredients.
-
Beat until smooth, & stir in the juice & zest.
-
Fold the whites gently into the yolk mixture.
-
Turn into lined tin & bake for about 45 minutes till well risen & golden brown. Check if it is done with a wooden pick.( Slide a sheet of foil lightly over the top if it begins to brown too fast).
-
Leave in tin for 10 minutes, & then cool completely on rack.
-
Once cool, cut into 2 or 3 layers.
-
Filling:
-
Whip the cream + sugar till firm. Whisk in the ground almonds.
-
Reserve a little cream for the topping, & sandwich the layers with the rest.
-
Ganache:
-
Put the cream & dark chocolate into a pan heat over low heat till all the chocolate has melted, stirring constantly. Stir well, & leave to cool.
-
Frost the sides & top of the cake with the ganache. Decorate the top with grated chocolate curls & pipe a design with the reserved almond cream. Top with a few slices of orange, chocolate shavings & silver dragees etc. Dust with some powdered sugar.
-
Chill well & serve right out of the fridge! This gateau doesn’t need to sit at room temperature for a while; it’s great!
Serving a slice of heaven…dressed in SILVER!
With CLICK @ Jugalbandi focussing on METAL this month…here is my kinda metal! Edible silver!! Most folk would cook or serve in metal; I’m serving up some silver. My entry for CLICK : March 2008.
35 Comments
Pixie
Gorgeous Cake Meeta…I haven’t tried making cakes other than carrot cakes; Hopefully, DB will get me baking such beauties as yours!
Asha
Deeba, old cookbooks are the best whether it’s Indian or western. They use to give us such authentic recipes. Orange and Chocolate is my husband’s fave flavors too. Looks delicious. Good one.
I posted Sally Lunn at FH from an very old book too, check it out!:)
Kalai
Gorgeous cake, Deeba! Am totally bookmarking this for later use! 🙂
Jeena
Hi there my name is Jeena and I have started a food recipe forum that I thought you would like to join here Click here for food recipe forum
I would love to see you on there to chat about food and cooking you can talk about anything you like and start your very own topics. 🙂
or see my main food recipe website Jeenas food recipe site
Hope to see you soon
Thanks
Jeena x
Maya
Absolutely beautiful Deeba!! Love the orange and choc flavors!! Edible silver, thats a great idea for Click :)…
Krithika
First time visitor and I must say I am speechless ! spectacular creations !
Ben
That is a great looking cake and the way you talked about it made my mouth water. I need to get those cookbooks!
What is that on the cookbook in the first 2 pics?
Cham
Look like a bakery cake! Wonderful creation 🙂
Purnima
HAPPY ANNIVERSARY, Deebaaaaa!!
The cake looks so glam, even Sue Ross’s publishers wd hv pleaded for that pic to increase readership!
I truly lack words for you, thks for sharing and insight into details of sponge n others!
Great CLICK entrant,those dragees!
Manggy
Deeba, I think I would balloon up to two hundred pounds if I ever lived with you 😀 I think I bake a cake once every two months only! That looks so good!
bee
this sponge recipe sounds fabulous. thanks for your entry.
Cooking and the City
Hello your cake looks absolutely fantastic, delicious 🙂
Dell xo
Susan from Food Blogga
If forced to choose, I bet more women would choose chocolate over conversation. That cake, Deena, it’s just splendid!
Mona
Looks amazing!! 🙂
http://www.zaiqa.net
Archana, mama of twins
Hi there!
Thanks for visiting my blog! You have a great entry too for March. 🙂
Lovely baked goods.. yumm
DEEPA
wow!!awesome cake …wish could have a small bite!!!
Vineela
Love your creations deeba.You are talented lady with an excellent hardwork
vineela
Aparna
Deeba,
Happy Anniversary.
That cake looks good as always.
bird's eye view
The cake looks incredible – truly professional!
Tempered Woman
That cake is unbelievably gorgeous! I can only imagine how divine it must have tasted. Love the quote too!
anju
hi Deeba…..i’m a great fan of yours. i have tried making most of your cakes and it has worked like a charm, except for this one…..i tried baking this for my husband’s b’day but it was a complete disaster, the cake base was too firm….hope u could tell me what went wrong…..
Passionate baker...& beyond
Trying to think what could have gone wrong Anju…because this is a pretty simple straightforward sponge. Not much to it other than a different mixing method than usual. Maybe it was the raising agent or overmixing. I’ve made this a couple of times with no problem. It was very moist. If the base is too firm, slice it up, add some syrup to soften the sponge, sandwich with whipped cream & leave to chill for a while.Should work Ok…
Passionate baker...& beyond
Trying to think what could have gone wrong Anju…because this is a pretty simple straightforward sponge. Not much to it other than a different mixing method than usual. Maybe it was the raising agent or overmixing. I’ve made this a couple of times with no problem. It was very moist. If the base is too firm, slice it up, add some syrup to soften the sponge, sandwich with whipped cream & leave to chill for a while.Should work Ok…
jane
If i don’t have corn flour , can i just substitute all purpose flour ? Please let me know soon, planning to make this one.
jane
If i don’t have corn flour , can i just substitute all purpose flour ? Please let me know soon, planning to make this one.
Passionate About Baking
Hi Jane, am leaving a comment here as I don't have an email address to get back to you at. Yes, I think you can, or else use cake flour. I think cornflour is like cake flour/pastry flour & adds lightness to the sponge. Cheers Deeba
Jane
Deeba – Thanks for the comment. Everything for the cake is done, sponge baked and sandwiched with cream.I just need to frost it with the ganache. But i noticed its not much “Orangey”. (I am yet to taste the final product though. Did you have strong orange taste ??
Jane
Hi,
Here is a pic of teh cake adapted from yours.It was great 🙂
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jankrish/3560905938/
Minu
hi,
simply awesome – photos and recipes
i'm at a loss for words
Purnima
This cake is the best-baked-frosted-cake-till date, hubby's bday was celebrated with an 8" square, the powdered almond went into the batter too, but didn't spoil it to my good luck..rest all minus ur quality of decor, hubby n kids went *Smmmaccking* tks soooooo very much Deeba!!
Nitha
Hi..
I made this cake and this came out really well.. If you have time plz chk out http://nitks.blogspot.com/
But I could see that the measurements specified in cups is wrong. 150gms of flour = 1 1/4 cup.
sumi
Iam planning to make this for our anniversary…just a curious question , just like any other sponge, so we have to soak this? 🙂
Nidhi
Hi Deeba…am planning to bake this cake tomorrow for my nephew. Just wanted to know that i have a fan assisted oven so what temp do i bake it at…thanks.
Harshitha
Hi deeba.. M a great admirer of ur blog.. Speaks volumes about u.. I love d way u start ur post with a quote, I love d antiquity of ur photographs and finally I love ur engaging sarcastic humor.. All in all, one day if I start a food blog, u will b a major reason behind that ..
Having said dat, I tried this cake n it turned out to b perfect.. Except dat it had a strong egg smell dat I cud take it no where near my mouth.. No, my eggs were fresh.. And no, I am not a person who hates egg smell.. But this had a very strong odour dat I forced to toss it off.. Cud u suggest wat cud have been d reason cos I wud like to re bake this cake for new year.. Thk u