Chocolate cake for Father's Day

 

In Lebanon, we celebrate Father's day on the 21st of June, and not like the majority of countries on the third Sunday of June. It is said that Lebanon and the whole area used to celebrate mother's day on the third Sunday of May, and consequently father’s day on the third Sunday of June (I guess daddys got jealous) just like the rest of the world still does today… but anyway, since Jammal Abed El Nasser came to Power in Egypt, he or his Party chose to alter that so we stand out of the pack and not follow the west and chose the first day of Spring and Summer to be Mother’s and Father’s day respectively…

So last week we made a dinner for my father, we were gathered all in my parents house for this special occasion. My dad has turned 70 years old last May... I can't believe how time is flying and I can't stand watching my parents getting older day after day. It's weird how we used to think when we were teenagers; we always wanted to grow up sooner and now all that we want is to stay young wishing that we can turn off the time and freeze the moment we live in.

While I was living in Paris, all I was afraid of is losing my parents. I wanted to see them and enjoy their company but I couldn't... miles and miles were separating us... but now I'm here and I want to cherish every moment with them... 

Sadly time really changes everything, but I can only hope it's not their love for me that's changing!

So, for Father's Day I made this cake because my dad is chocoholic, he has a particular weakness for chocolate. I used to buy him chocolate from Paris and he used to eat them before anyone else could even taste one!! And despite the wide range of sugary treats available here, he tends to favor chocolate above all other confections. So, what could be better than a chocolate goodness to cut on Father's Day?

For the cake:

1 3/4 cup all-purpose flour 
2 1/2  cups powdered sugar
1/2 cup cocoa powder
1 1/2 tsp Baking powder
1 1/2 tsp Baking soda
a pinch of salt  
2 eggs, room temperature
1 cup whole milk 
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 cup hot water 

For the frosting:
100 g of milk chocolate
1/4 cup of butter
Some chopped hazelnuts

In a large bowl, sift the flour, sugar, cocoa, baking powder, salt and baking soda. Add eggs, milk, oil and vanilla extract and beat on medium speed for 3 minutes. Stir in the hot water. Mix.

Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C).

Grease and flour your baking pan. Pour in the prepared batter and bake for 30-35 minutes or until a wooden pick inserted in the center comes out clean.

Cool on wire rack for 10 minutes then frost the cake.

For the frosting: Double boil 100 g of milk chocolate with 1/4 cup of butter. Add the chopped hazelnut and mix.

Gâteau au chocolat 

Pour le gâteau:

225 g de farine

300 g de sucre glace
60 g cacao
1 1/2 càc de levure chimique

1 1/2 càc de bicarbonate de soude
une pincée de sel

23 cl de lait entier

12 cl d'huile vegetale
1 càc d'extrait de vanille
23 cl d'eau chaude

Pour le glaçage:
100 g de chocolat au lait

50 g de beurre

une poignée de noisettes hachées

Dans un grand saladier, tamisez la farine, sucre, cacao, levure, sel et bicarbonate. Ajoutez les œufs, le lait, l'huile et l'extrait de vanille. Battez environ 3 mn. Ajoutez l'eau chaude et mélangez.

Préchauffez le four à 180°C.

Huilez et farinez un moule a gâteau. Versez la préparation et enfournez 30 à 35 mn ou jusqu'à ce qu'un cure-dent inséré dans le gâteau ressorte propore. 

Laissez refroidir sur une grille environ 10 mn. Puis ajoutez le glaçage.

Pour le glaçage: Faites fondre au bain marie le chocolat et le beurre. Ajoutez les noisettes hachées et mélangez.