COFFEE MOCHA GATEAU…& a hope for the future!
“Everything that is done in the world is done by hope. “
Martin Luther King 
The new year brings with it new promise… As I begin to type this post, Obama is about to be sworn in. The world awaits a new US President, one with promise for a better future, one who believes ‘Yes We Can’, & also that ‘Anything is possible’! Our son took the days’ news to read in school today, which included interesting trivia about Barack Obama. His classmates enjoyed the bits & bobs. They were kicked to hear that his favourite snacks are Chocolate-peanut protein bars, & not some boring stuff. Also were thrilled that he’s read every Harry Potter book, though horrified that Obama cannot stand ice-cream now, since he worked at a Baskin Robbins ice-cream shop as a teenager. Maybe he hasn’t tried Patricia Scarpin’s Stracciatella ice cream … he’ll change his mind!! Times have never been more difficult, the world’s economy never more bleak & recession-wracked, yet, times have somehow never looked more hopeful. Mixed emotions rule the day. With serious thoughts as to what the future holds, I’m mixing flavours to match my thoughts & the momentous occasion.
As I begin to type this post, Obama is about to be sworn in. The world awaits a new US President, one with promise for a better future, one who believes ‘Yes We Can’, & also that ‘Anything is possible’! 
Our son took the days’ news to read in school today, which included interesting trivia about Barack Obama. His classmates enjoyed the bits & bobs. They were kicked to hear that his favourite snacks are Chocolate-peanut protein bars, & not some boring stuff. Also were thrilled that he’s read every Harry Potter book, though horrified that Obama cannot stand ice-cream now, since he worked at a Baskin Robbins ice-cream shop as a teenager. Maybe he hasn’t tried Patricia Scarpin’s Stracciatella ice cream … he’ll change his mind!! 
Times have never been more difficult, the world’s economy never more bleak & recession-wracked, yet, times have somehow never looked more hopeful. Mixed emotions rule the day. With serious thoughts as to what the future holds, I’m mixing flavours to match my thoughts & the momentous occasion. 
A coffee sponge layered cake, sandwiched with coffee Chantilly & topped with an ever indulgent dark chocolate gateau with mocha overtones. Chill this beauty & enjoy this light, yet moist, satisfying gateau! If you love coffee, you’re gonna love this!!
I made this gateau for my sis-in-laws birthday. She gifted me this beautiful silver-plated cake platter & cake spoon on my birthday, & I could hardly wait to inaugurate it. The sponge that I use in this gateau is made in a unique way, & keeps very moist. It can be made & kept in the fridge 2-3 days in advance. I have used it here previously in this Chocolate Orange Cloud Gateau with amazing reults.
If you are relatively new to my little blog, I might as well tell you that I LOVE ANYTHING COFFEE. Coffee makes my world worthwhile; I’m grouchy as Groucho Marx without my morning cuppa & all my coffee mugs have Garfield on them (my most fave one has him scowling ; it says ‘FACE IT’). Pair coffee with bitter/dark chocolate & I’ll do anything. Well, maybe anything!
The scrolls on the frosting are inspired by cake art I saw on a beautiful blog, Art of Dessert, where something similar but prettier & much more elaborate had been done with chocolate butter cream. I used a bit of the reserved coffee cream filling, with some left-over ganache & some melted white chocolate to do mine. It wasn’t as firm as a butter cream would be, so the sides were impossible to scroll upon. COFFEE MOCHA GATEAU
COFFEE MOCHA GATEAUas adapted from Mandarin Orange Cloud Gateau by Sue Ross,
from the book ‘Cream Cakes & Gateaux’, pg 17
Note: I doubled the sponge recipe to made 2 cakes 9 inch’s each to get 4 layers to serve 15
Coffee Sponge:
Ingredients:
Plain flour – 1/2 cup + 1/8 cup
Cornflour – 1/8 cup
Baking powder – 2 tsps
Plain flour – 1/2 cup + 1/8 cup
Cornflour – 1/8 cup
Baking powder – 2 tsps
Instant coffee – 2 tbsps
Pinch of salt
Castor Sugar – 1/2 cup + 1/8 cup
Oil – 5 tbsps (I used sunflower oil)
Water – 5 tbsps
Eggs – 3 / separated
Filling:
Pinch of salt
Castor Sugar – 1/2 cup + 1/8 cup
Oil – 5 tbsps (I used sunflower oil)
Water – 5 tbsps
Eggs – 3 / separated
Filling:
(for 1 8″ cake; double for larger cake)
Whipping Cream – 200ml (I use a 20% fat cream)
Castor sugar – 3-4 tbsps (as per taste)
Whipping Cream – 200ml (I use a 20% fat cream)
Castor sugar – 3-4 tbsps (as per taste)
Instant coffee – 1 tsps
Mocha Ganache:
Mocha Ganache:
(for a 8 ” cake; use 350ml cream + 400gms chocolate for larger cake)
Cream – 150 ml (20% fat)
Dark chocolate – 250gms / broken into pieces
Cream – 150 ml (20% fat)
Dark chocolate – 250gms / broken into pieces
Instant coffee – 1 tbsp
Method:
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Preheat the oven to 190 degrees C. Line an 8″ spring form tin. (I made 2 cakes. Used a 9″ spring form tin, two times over, since I have just one tin).
-
Sift the cornflour + flour + baking powder + salt + Castor sugar (yes, it’s correct) into a mixing bowl.
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Beat the egg whites till they stand in soft peaks & keep aside.
-
Lightly beat the oil + water + coffee + yolks together and stir into the dry ingredients. Beat on low speed until smooth.
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Fold the whites gently into the yolk mixture.
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Turn into lined tin & bake for about 45 minutes till well risen and 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).
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Leave in tin for 10 minutes, & then cool completely on rack.
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Once cool, cut into 2 layers.
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Note: Make second cake just the same way if you want a large cake to serve 15-16. A small 8″ cake, made with the above ingredients, cut into 2-3 layers, will be good for approx 8 servings.
Filling:
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Whip the cream + sugar + coffee till firm.
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Reserve a little cream for the topping, & sandwich the layers with the rest.
Ganache:
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Put the cream and dark chocolate into a pan heat over low heat till all the chocolate has melted, stirring constantly. Add coffee, stir well, and leave to cool.
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Frost the sides & top of the cake with the ganache.
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Scroll on some stuff on top if you have the inclination, else just cover with grated chocolate or sift cocoa over it lightly.
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Chill well and serve right out of the fridge! This gateau doesn’t need to sit at room temperature for a while; it’s great!
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Note: To get neat slices, dip a sharp edged knife into hot water, and slice. Wipe the knife clean between every serving.
All the best to you Mr President … hope you make good your difficult inheritance! The world waits & watches with baited breath…
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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.
65 Comments
Nags
that’s such pretty work done on the cake. i am not a fan of coffee flavoured cakes but will try your orange chocolate one instead. i am planning a surprise for the husband’s b’day 😉
Reeni♥
Your cake decorating skills are magnificent! What a beautiful tribute to our new President. I bet it tastes wonderful!
Laurie
What a beautiful cake with such beautiful reflections. I am so glad the hope goes beyond our borders.. but extends to the whole world. I loved the words prayed by Reverend Dr. Joseph Lowery that God holds the whole world in His hands!
Ciao Deeba!
Cynthia
I am constantly in awe of your work.
aquadaze
i love the coffee with chocolate!! And the art work on top, well, just takes the cake!! Now, one question..how does one measure 1/8 cup (in the absence of the cup measure)?
Gloria Chadwick
I love coffee. I love chocolate. I love your cake. 🙂 You are such an awesome baker!
Dragon
Oh my, I think I’m in love. With you and this cake. 🙂
Elra
How delightful Deeba, may I come over for coffee or tea and have a slice or two of your delicious cake?
lisa (dandysugar)
This is a work of art! It looks delicous, Deeba! And made with coffee? You are so so good!
Divya Kudua
Oh my..I wouldnt have the heart to cut such a beautiful cake with those lovely patterns…but on the other hand,can anyone resist such a beauty..I guess not.Your sis is law must have been so happy…birthday wishes to her!!
Dark chocolate is 2050 gms??,a typo I guess??
delhibelle
gorgeous! the pattern is reminds of of beautiful wrought iron
the baker
i echo the sentiments of everyone here – it is indeed a very beautiful cake. i wish i could have a slice right now! great piping skills 🙂
Anonymous
I accidentally came across your blog and I must tell you I now visit it almost everyday just so that I don’t miss any of your amazing culinary masterpieces. Is there anything you cannot bake or cook?! Thanks for adding flavours to my sometimes-monotonous grad school days.
MeetaK
i love it when you do coffee and choc! Troubled times indeed – but I am sure with a piece of this cake one cak forget about the trouble for a while!
Bellini Valli
Such a visually beautigul cake Deeba. You have such talent to make everything so artistic and appealing. There are some wonderful flavour combinations here as well…you have one lucky family.
Mary
it is always a pleasure to come visit you and see these wonderful cakes you make , cheers!
Patricia Scarpin
I would be more than happy and honored to make some ice cream for Obama! 🙂
Tks for your lovely words, darling! And may I say this is one of the most gorgeous cakes I have ever seen?
Happy cook
Wowo this is oneof the most beautiful cake i have seen and so delicious with coffee.
I love the way you have designes them.
Thanks to your son i know more aobut Obama.
Kitchen Flavours
Wow yummy, tempting, inviting, luscious and delicious cake. Love the beautiful deco you have done on the cake and plate…..
Rosie
Magnificent Deeba!!! I am lost for words with your astonishing talent!!
It’s lovely to be back blogging once again and viewing all your wonderful posts.
Rosie x
Ben
There have never been more hope in our history and with our eyes fixed in the horizon we’ll meet the crisis that hangs over our heads. Great day for the world and what a better way to celebrate it than with amazing food like yours my friend 🙂
Asha
WOW!! Look at that design, pro job, Deeba! I can bake a good cake but icing gets me! Good job, girl! :))
Go Obama!! Oops! President Obama! :))
Amanda at Little Foodies
Oh WOW! That cake looks absolutely beautiful. Thanks so much for your lovely comment on my blog. You make great food and take really great pictures of it all. 😉
Linda
What a lovely post. And the cake…mmmmmmmmmmmmmmm.
I love coffee and chocolate too.
Coffee flavored ice cream is my fave.
nicisme
Oh look at that! The decoration is beautiful and the inside is so soft and delicious!
Love from,
Another coffee fan.
Hanaâ
Your cake looks absolutely gorgeous. Your sister-in-law is a lucky lady. I love the color of your cake layers. Very inviting. Will have to come up with a good excuse soon to bake it :o) Thanks for sharing your thoughts, pictures and recipes.
Hanaa
phanitha
This is beautiful…
Gloria
My dear Deeba I loveeeee it!! many times I dont made nothing with chocolate, but when I saw yours cake!!! wow!!!!!I died!
Pstt : I LOVE OBAMA!!! I hope the best to him and the USA. and God helhim a lot!!! xxxxxxxxx
Elle
What a gorgeous cake! It looks like you’d find it in an exclusive bakery case. And I’m positive that it tastes ans good as it looks!
noble pig
Wow your decorating on this cake and plate are beautiful Deeba. Very nice indeed and the cake speaks for itself, a true winner.
Mediterranean Turkish Cook
Beautiful cake! The decoration is excellent. You are very talented.
Bunny
This is beautiful Deeba, you decorated it so lovely and you even decorated the plate!! You are good girl!
Selba
Oh my… what a beautiful cake! Without passion and skills, this cake would never happened.
ovenhaven
I lurrrrve the intricacy of the frosting design! Simply perfect.
A_and_N
I love coffee flavoured cakes and when I saw this on my reader : I just Oh My God and did not open it until I showed A 🙂 I felt we should see it together!
Anu
Wow. Thats all I have to say.
This is the first time I have come across your blog and I am AMAZED with the quality of both your creations and Pics- Keep up the good work!!!!!
Anu
Preety
hey the cake looks soooo goooood..
A kitchen scientist & a white rat hubby!!!
gorgeooouuuussssss workk!!!! drooling over here….you got a real liking towards chocolate i beleive, see that most of ur creeations have a touch of chocoloagte here or there!! just marvellous….
A kitchen scientist & a white rat hubby!!!
gorgeooouuuussssss workk!!!! drooling over here….you got a real liking towards chocolate i beleive, see that most of ur creeations have a touch of chocoloagte here or there!! just marvellous….
Mallika
Deeba this looks soooooooo good! I am planing to surprise a fiend by baking her a birthday cake and this is perfect. Unless you have a simpler recipe you can recommend? I’ll be snooping around your blog before her big day anyway. Baby brewing well by the way!!
Maria
I love the design on this cake! So elegant!!
noobcook
beautiful swirling design! 😀
realfoodlover
And thanks for dropping by my blog! Nice to meet you. This cake is a work of art, a masterpiece! I myself am experimenting with not using raising agents such as baking powder – as long as I am using plenty of whisked-in eggs, my experiment seems to work…I luuuuurve mocha – one of my favourite tastes – a winning combination.
The Caked Crusader
I love your scrolls on top of the cake – so elegant and delicate. It’s really beautiful
Gretchen Noelle
I absolutely love the scrolling designs! It is really beautiful!!
Curry Leaf
Absolutely love the cake art.I will not feel like eating or even cutting up such a cake.Absolutely delish.Cant take my eyes off the frst pic. am skipping the sliced pieces pics.Cannot believe that such art is sliced.True work of art.
Proud Italian Cook
I just know one day your food will be on a cover of a famous magazine.
This cake is beautiful! I love the scrollwork! Deeba, you’re oozing with talent!!
Jamie
My birthday is this week and I have been wishing for a chocolate-espresso cake, and this has just convinced me!
And here is a heartfelt Hip Hip Hooray for our new President and First Lady!
Aparna
Your decoration is beautiful, Deeba. Just like embroidery on a cake.:)
diva
this cake is tres dreamy! the top decoration reminds me of henna. it’s beautiful. x
meeso
I am the same way with coffee! I love it! I can drink it morning, noon and night! I like the tidbit about Obama reading all the Harry Potter books, sounds like he’s got great taste in books! This looks so mouthwatering… wish I could have a huge, HUGE piece!
How To Eat A Cupcake
Wow it looks so delicious. How awesome was the inauguration ceremony? I was almost in tears a few times!
I’m adding you to my blogroll. Hope you don’t mind!
toontz
Beautiful!
Sherry Trifle - Lovely Cats
A gorgeous cake with exquisite decorations!
Tartelette
Per-fec-tion!! I love it Deeba! Slam dunk!
Joyful Reverie
lord have mercy
such scrumptious pictures with a wonderful recipe
i’ll definitely try this. looks delish!
romaspace
Cake Looks stunning! Lots of creativity and hard work.
Poornima Nair
Woww…the cake is gorgeous and the work done is soo pretty…I’m drooling…
Jessica@Foodmayhem
So funny, I did something similar with bars….yours is much prettier than mine though.
Arlette
Deeba
every thing in this blog is mouth watering and amazingly good. looking at this cake and the decoration on top, oh my ….
my husband is hinting that this will be a nice Valentine cake to taste…. Imagine, I cannot browse your beautiful cakes with him around me.
so amazing
Shilpa
Hey Deeba,
I tried this today and it was just delicious. One question though, my sponge cake did not rise for me to make 2 layers out of it. Can you tell me what did I do wrong. Another thing, you have not mentioned in your post when to add the instant coffee while making the spong cake.
pigpigscorner
Your cake looks too beautiful to be eaten!
Rajee
Smells heavenly and tastes heavenly. Most beautiful decoration of this cake with brilliant color in this world
foodie ffanatic
Deeba, I just linked to this cake from your Happy Feet post – all I can say is oooooooooh! I MUST try this. Soon. I hadn't found your beautiful site yet when you posted this. One of these days I hope to have time to peruse your archives. Yet another beautiful cake with your distinctive elegant touch.
anubhavati
hi Deeba,
Where have you added the coffee to the cake???
Shobha