The Ultimate Chocolate Cake

When I first started getting into this whole food blogging thing, I was obsessed with two amazing women: Donna Hay, and Lorraine Elliot of Not Quite Nigella. I've been following Not Quite Nigella for years, and for as long as I can remember, Lorraine's blog has been my go-to for everything from reviews, to travel and recipe inspiration. Years ago, Lorraine featured Donna Hay's Ultimate One-Bowl Chocolate Cake from the cook book Fast, Fresh, Simple. I already owned the cook book at the time, and decided to give the cake a go... and it was love at first bake.

I love this recipe, and I've played around with it more than I care to admit. I've turned it into brownies, an ugly gooey caramel fudge cake, and of course sprinkle covered cupcakes - but the recipe I'm sharing below is the recipe that works for me time and time again. One simple adaptation meant that the cake would always be a gluten free one. Moist, rich, and dense, it's the perfect chocolate indulgence for those chilly winter nights. Bliss.

The Ultimate One-Bowl Chocolate Cake Recipe adapted from Donna Hay’s Fast, Fresh, Simple

You will need: 125g butter, chopped 375g dark chocolate (high quality), chopped 175g brown sugar 1/4 cup gluten free self raising flour 2 tablespoons of milk (I use Almond breeze Unsweetened Almond Milk) 1 cup of almond meal 5 eggs 1 tablespoon of cocoa, for dusting

Prepare: Preheat oven to your oven to 160C/320F. Line a 22cm round spring form baking tin with baking paper.

Using the double boiler method, place the butter and chocolate in a large heatproof bowl and melt over a simmering pot of water.

You can also microwave the chocolate and butter in a microwave proof bowl in 30-second bursts while mixing in between, but I highly recommend the double boiler, as you’ll have more control monitoring the temperature of the chocolate and prevent burning.

Once the chocolate and butter is melted and mixed into a glossy chocolate sauce consistency, add the sugar, flour, milk and almond meal to the bowl and mix to combine.

Add eggs and mix well.

Pour the cake mixture into the prepared baking tin. Cover the top of the tin with foil.

Bake for 50 to 60 minutes or until the centre of the cake is cooked when tested with a skewer.

Once cake is removed from oven, remove the foil and allow to cool in the tin. Lightly dust with cocoa and serve with cream or ice-cream...or both. We wont judge. Promise.