Doves Farm Flour Chocolate Sponge Slice

I have been baking for a local fair and as I wanted to include a few gluten free options I decided to buy some pre-blended flour. I will say right now I can’t eat these, but I wanted to share what can be done with this specific flour blend, your millage may vary as blends vary greatly. I’m still not a fan of these flours or their texture, but I understand how useful they can be. These recipes are in no way sponsored or endorsed by Doves Farm, considering I may run them down they might pay me to stop, and they aren’t regular recipes so please understand that I can’t offer much outside of the recipe here, but I wanted to put them up as an example usage of the flour that may be of benefit to a few of my Dear Readers.

This was so impromptu I nearly forgot what went into it.

I don’t know about you, Dear Reader, but this was the standard way cakes and sponges were made when I was growing up, it’s a pretty lazy way to make a cake, but extremely useful as a fast alternative to making it all step by step. It’s not the greatest sponge, but it’s hardly the greatest flour, it’s hard to say what the sponge is, it’s nostalgic, I grew up on these kinds of “cakes” you used what you had and the idea of getting a better recipe or better ingredients was never mentioned. It’s great as a quick cake for an event where they’re being given away or for children that will be so hyper from the icing they won’t care what they’re eating, I didn’t say I disliked them growing up, now, did I, Dear Reader?

I just winged the entire cake.

The chocolate I used is a very sweet salted caramel, now ubiquitous, Dear Reader, unsalted is unheard of, chocolate drink, but the cocoa powder is rather good quality, so there’s no need to add melted chocolate and since I was using up when making this it’d be silly to go too far. As I say you can add whatever you like, this is a leftover ingredient cake, even the icing was made for another sponge, I just added the Cocoa at the end. This one baked faster than the other as it was smaller and because of he extras it has a different texture, it’s a firm sponge, I can’t say anything about the taste, but it’ll be sweet. This is pretty much the standard of blended flour baking, I’ve always been apart from that sphere, Dear Reader, I had to be better to eat, never mind anything else. If you need a quickie cake, this is useful, there are better recipes here, but this will be the fastest. I’m not running the recipe down, I’m just laying it out here without any pretense. I’m not a fan of he flour, but hat doesn’t make it bad. The cake will become more dense as it cools and will be easier to cut, let it cool completely, overnight even, if you need to slice it, Dear Reader, it may crack otherwise. Okay, I’ll be back again soon, these are delayed posts so any discontinuity with he flow of the blog is due to that.

Ingredients

For The Sponge

260g Doves Farm Gluten Free Plain White Flour
180g Caster Sugar
180g Margarine, Softened
2 Eggs
50g Blanched Almonds, Smashed
50g Desiccated Coconut
2 Tbsps Sweetened Cocoa Powder or Drinking Chocolate Mix
1 and 1/2 Tsp Baking Powder

For The Icing

200g Icing Sugar
2 Tbsps Sweetened Cocoa Powder or Drinking Chocolate Mix
30g Egg Whites, About 1 Egg
Dash Lemon Juice
Milk Chocolate for Grating

Method

Sponge

1. Pre-heat oven to 200c (Fan) and grease and line a Square Tin.

2. Add everything to a bowl and beat all the ingredients together with an electric mixer until smooth.

3. Scoop mixture into prepared tin, about 3/4 full, and bake for about 20-30 minutes until firm to the touch. Cool in tin for 10 minutes then transfer to a wire-rack to cool completely.

Icing

1. In a clean bowl beat Egg Whites on a slow speed until soft peaks form.

2. Slowly add in the icing sugar 100g at a time and when the Icing starts to thicken increase the speed.

3. When the Sugar has been incorporated completely add in the lemon and beat until a stiff, slightly duller icing has formed. Finally add in the Sweetened Cocoa Powder and mix until completely combined.

4. Spread the Icing onto the cooled sponge and finally grate some Milk Chocolate a top.

Chocolatey Ubiquity

The absence of garden tasks is taking its toil on the soul of Jack, dearest reader, so his mind has taken to rambling, oft-times reiterating what has already been mulled over already. So here I am, foisting the dregs of the brew of my mind’s  fermentations onto you. This is all apropos of nothing, pure selfish catharsis. I’m not supposed to admit that? Oh, then disregard that dearest reader, instead let us pretend this is educational. Education is important. Look at me, I wouldn’t be where I am without an education. Hard to tell if that an admonishment, a caution or an indictment on education, eh? Jesting of course, why who wouldn’t want me to me. That’s why you’re really here after all. Every one want to be like Jack. Even I can’t tell if I’m serious any more, befuddled reader.

So, chocolate. The salt and pepper of the confectionery world. That ever present covering, coating, slathered in plentiful supply on everything. To quote the philosopher, Popeye: Phooey to it from me! I’ve been dealing with my histamine intolerance for, let’s say, about three years now. It was the last piece of the puzzle of my ailing body. I spent a long time assuming that the red, raised rash and the constant itch was just the way I’d be from here on out. I was still on the tail-end of the high of being gluten and nightshade free, that time when anything other than not sick is a benediction from heaven. Now, having drunk the milk of happiness down to the bitter dregs I too am bitter. I’ve been without chocolate for the better part of two years now and I’m still tired of how it dominates everything. Again, I’m not looking, nor offering, solutions. I gave up a lot when I gave up chocolate, a lot of pain and discomfort too, but also so many little joys. There doesn’t seem to be a recipe that’s free from, I can’t call it the brown anything!, er, the histamine-rich thorn in my side. I suppose what’s worse is as well as having a sweet tooth I also enjoy chocolate. Enjoyed now.

Now I know you know me to a point. I don’t really moan that much. Right? Man, I hope so. But what’s really depressing about a no-chocolate section to my dietary life is that there isn’t much thought given to it. It’s either: Oh, no, I couldn’t do without chocolate (Feel free to substitute bread etc) or the: At least you have x. Dear, straw-man, I’ve given up everything I ever classed as my favourite foods, my sometimes enjoyed foods and more. So, if you, hypothetical antagonist that you are, want to lecture me I’ll light you ablaze. I suppose I make the same plea I often make: Try something new. If you can eat chocolate then maybe, just maybe, try making something without it on occasion. A recipe here and there without something you’re used to could be a boon to someone like me. I branch out here and there. I try making recipes for diets I don’t need to follow. Maybe we could just do without chocolate for a brief time? Oh, but I can see you, dear reader, grubby with chocolate, your tubby face looking at me in astonishment and terror. Go eat your chocolate. But spare a thought for those without. And, yes, I’m envisioning you as a fat toddler eating a candy bar. Take that!

Now, if you’ll excuse me I’m off to twiddle my thumbs and await spring. I hope this has been taken in the spirit of fun as it was intended, no hard feelings. Still, for those who can’t eat chocolate, I feel for you my brothern and sistern. The next month will be a chocolate coated hellscape. At least we’ll have, er, well, we’ll have our bitterness. And isn’t that the true meaning of Christmas? No? Oh, well, go eat your chocolate and bite me. (Thus I lost most of my readership). Okay, see you all later. New recipe might be incoming in a few days.

Nutella Hot Chocolate

How did I never upload this? I don’t do chocolate these days, been a year or more now, but I’ll toss this up regardless. It’s part of something bigger I have planned, stay tuned for that.

Ingredients

1 Tbsp Nutella
125ml Milk

Method

1. Combine Nutella and Milk in Plastic Jug.

2. Microwave on high heat for 2 minutes.

3. Whisk until Nutella has melted into the Milk.

Nutella Cookies

Ingredients

275g Nutella
1 Egg White
1/4 Cup Cocoa Powder
1/4 Tsp Vanilla Extract

Method

1. Preheat oven to 180c (Fan)

2. Mix Egg White, Vanilla Extract and Nutella with a fork. Beat until mix is stiff and clinging together.

3. Mix in Cocoa Powder.

4. Roll into small, 1/4 inch, balls and place 2 inches apart.

5. Bake for 10 minutes, or until outside is dry.

6. Let cool on tray for 5 minutes and then transfer to rack and let cool.

Microwave Sponge Pudding

Lemon Version

Chocolate Version

From: Here

Ingredients

1 Tbsp Sweet Freedom or 1 Tbsp Maple Syrup
2 Heaped Tbsp Ground Almonds
1 Tbsp Olive Oil
Zest of 1 Lemon
1 Tsp Lemon Juice
1 Large Egg
1 Level Tsp GF Baking Powder

Use any Citrus fruit in place of Lemon.
For a Chocolate Version use an Orange, Dash of Vanilla Extract and 1 Tsp Cocoa Powder.
Method

1. Put everything into a bowl.

2. Whisk together until smooth and creamy.

3. Grease microwave safe bowl with Butter.

4. Cook on full heat for 2 minutes.

5. Place plate on top of the bowl and turn out. Serve hot or cold.

Flourless Nutella Cake

If nothing else it was fun. The top is Ganache.

From: Here

Ingredients

2 Eggs
120g Nutella
3 Tsp Sugar

Method

1. Preheat Oven to 175c (Fan)

2. Place Nutella in glass bowl and melt in microwave for 20 seconds.Let cool completely.

3. Crack eggs into bowl and mix using electric mixer for 5 minutes or until tripled in volume.

4. Add eggs 1/3 at a time to Nutella and stir using spatula until completely combined.

5. Pour mix into cake liner in cake tin and bake for 20 minutes or until knife comes out clean.

6. Place tin on wire rack and let cool completely.

Coconut Nutella Cake

Ingredients

2 Eggs
120g Nutella
3 Tsp Sugar
1/4 Desiccated Coconut, Roasted
1/4 Tsp Vanilla Extract
1 Tbsp Cocoa Powder

Method

1. Preheat Oven to 175c (Fan)

2. Put the Desiccated Coconut onto a foil covered tray and place into the preheating oven. Cook until brown.

3. Place Nutella in glass bowl and melt in microwave for 20 seconds. Mix in Roasted Coconut and Cocoa Powder. Let cool completely.

4. Crack eggs into bowl and mix using electric mixer for 5 minutes or until tripled in volume.

5. Add eggs 1/3 at a time to Nutella mixture and stir using spatula until completely combined.

6. Pour mix into cake liner in cake tin and bake for 20 minutes or until knife comes out clean.

7. Place tin on wire rack and let cool completely. Turn upside down onto plate.

Flourless Nut Cake

2017 Update: Due to a problem with Photobucket, see here, there will be a lot of recipes without photos. I will be slowly redoing the recipe pages, as best I can, but many other posts will be impossible to replace. I’m doing this in my own time, while continuing to update the blog with new recipes and posts. If you’d like to donate, any amount appreciated, you can do so here. The site will always be free, the recipes will never be locked behind a paywall, but this is a lot of additional work. I’m not demanding or begging, just putting it there so if you feel like repaying my hard work you have that option. I don’t make any money from the site, all that I do here is to help others, I couldn’t charge for that.

An almond cake topped with Lemon curd and a Buttercream edging.

I think every cook and baker has one of their own creations that they’re especially proud of, the flourless nut cake is mine. It’s not a complex recipe, but it’s flavour can’t be beat and the possible variations are endless. A dense sponge like texture and a light buttercream make an amazing combination.

How to Line your Tin can be found here.

Best Baked in lined 26 inch spring-form pan or large pan. About one inch of batter with no rising.

150g Icing Sugar and 40g Butter make perfect amount of Buttercream.

Peanut Butter Cake

Ingredients

2 Large Eggs
70g Natural Peanut Butter
100g Sugar/Light Muscovado Sugar
1/4 Tsp Vanilla Extract
35g Ground Almonds (You can blanch, peel and grind your own Almonds too)
1/4 Tsp Baking Powder

Method

1. Preheat Oven to 175c (Fan)

2. Put all ingredients into a bowl and mix, using an electric mixer, until smooth.

3. Pour mix into lined cake tin and bake for 20 minutes or until knife comes out clean.

4. Place tin on wire rack and let cool completely.

A chocolate cashew butter cake with chocolate buttercream.

Variations:

Fruit Cake: Add 50g Frozen Berries to the batter.

Cashew Banana Bread: 70g Cashew Butter, 1 Ripe Banana. Cashew Butter works best as a plain flavour base.

Carob: Add 28g Butter to the mixing bowl and melt in the microwave on a low heat, let cool for a minute and beat in 17g Carob Powder, mix until a thick and glossy paste is formed. When paste is cool add everything else and bake as normal.

Gooey Lemon Cardamom Cashew Cake:

For Cake: 70g Cashew Butter, Zest of 1/2 Lemon, 1/2 Tsp Ground Cardamom.
For Syrup: 1/4 Cup Sugar and Lemon Juice, boiled on a high heat for a few minutes and let cool.
For Buttercream: 2 Tbsp Lemon Syrup, 1/4 Tsp Ground Cardamom.

Add Zest and Cardamom along with everything else and bake as normal. When cooled brush the bottom of the cake with a light layer of Lemon Syrup and let cake cool completely. Mix Buttercream as usual.

Chocolate and Cashew Cake:

For Cake: 1 Tbsp Cocoa Powder, 50g Milk Chocolate.

Melt Chocolate in a double boiler, remove from the heat and let cool for a few minutes. Add the Cocoa Powder and all other ingredients to the bowl with the chocolate and beat and bake as normal.

Almond Coffee Cake:

For Cake: Replace White Sugar with 100g Light Muscovado Sugar and use Almond Butter. Make Espresso Syrup and spread over the bottom of cooled cake.

For Buttercream: Add 2-3 Tbsp Espresso Syrup, instead of the Milk, 2-3 Tbsp Toasted, Crumbled, Slivered Almonds alongside Butter and Icing Sugar and beat as normal. Use as much Syrup as desired, but make sure Buttercream doesn’t get too wet.

Hokkaido Pumpkin: Use Brown Sugar and Almond Butter. Add 100g Steamed and Mashed Hokkaido Pumpkin and 2 tsp Pumpkin Spice along with everything else. Top with Maple Buttercream.

Flourless Fudge Cookies

From: Here

Ingredients

85g Icing Sugar
28g Cocoa Powder/Carob Powder
1 Egg White
1/4 Tsp Vanilla Extract

Makes 6 Cookies.

Method

1. Preheat oven to 175c (Fan)

2. Put Egg White into a bowl and beat until frothy.

3. Sift Icing Sugar into Egg White.

4. Sift Cocoa Powder into Egg White.

5. Add Vanilla and stir gently with metal spoon until thick, but still able to drop off the spoon.

6. Drop 1 Tbsp worth of batter onto a lined tray and bake for 8 minutes or until cracked and shiny on top.

7. Let cool on tray.

Chocolate Peanut Butter Almond Cookies

Makes 24 Cookies. Can be frozen.

Ingredients

245g Natural Peanut Butter
55g Cocoa Powder/Carob Powder
1 Egg
150g Honey
1 Tsp Vanilla Extract
1/2 Tsp Baking Soda
Optional: 50g Nibbed Almonds

Method

1. Preheat oven to 175c (Fan).

2. Combine everything in a bowl and mix together until batter forms and pulls away from the sides of the bowl.

3. Fold Slivered Almonds into batter.

4. Form into 1 Tbsp sized balls and place onto Greaseproof Paper about 2 inches apart. Shape and flatten with the back of a slightly wet spoon. Bake for 8-9 minutes.

5. Cool on tray for 10 minutes. Then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

Variations:

Egg Free: Use 1 Flax Egg (1 Tbsp Flax, 3 Tbsp Water. Set in fridge for 15 minutes.) and half the ingredients.

Chocolate Ganache

Update: Due to a problem with Photobucket, see here, there will be a lot of recipes without photos. I will be slowly redoing the recipe pages, as best I can, but many other posts will be impossible to replace. I’m doing this in my own time, while continuing to update the blog with new recipes and posts. If you’d like to donate, any amount appreciated, you can do so here or here. The site will always be free, the recipes will never be locked behind a paywall, but this is a lot of additional work. I’m not demanding or begging, just putting it there so if you feel like repaying my hard work you have that option. I don’t make any money from the site, all that I do here is to help others, I couldn’t charge for that.

Sets firm, but still soft enough to cut.

Ingredients

Normal Ganache:

Equal parts Semisweet or Bitter-sweet Chocolate to Double Cream. For every gram of Double Cream use same, in grams, of Chocolate.

Thick Ganache:

2 parts Semisweet or Bitter-sweet Chocolate to 1 part Double Cream. For every gram of Double Cream use twice the amount, in grams, of Chocolate.

Method

1. Chop Chocolate finely, or grate, and place into bowl.

2. Pour the cream into pot and heat until bubbles start to appear. Do not boil!

3. Remove from heat and pour over the Chocolate.

4. Let sit for a few minutes, so the Chocolate can melt.

5. Whisk until all the chocolate is completely melted and you have a smooth and uniform mixture.

6. Let cool for a while and then spread onto cake.