How to Make Chocolate Dream Cake…Video

What is Chocolate Dream Cake?

Chocolate Dream Cake is a concept that has taken the dessert world by storm, especially popularised in bakeries and among home bakers through social media and dessert blogs. It is not a single recipe but rather a category of chocolate cake that emphasises a rich, indulgent chocolate experience. The hallmark of a Chocolate Dream Cake is its deep chocolate flavour, moist crumb, and multiple layers of chocolate in different forms. Here are the key characteristics that often define a Chocolate Dream Cake:

Layers:

Cake Layers: The cake itself is usually made with a high proportion of cocoa or melted chocolate (or both) to ensure a deep chocolate flavour. The crumb is moist and tender, often using ingredients like buttermilk, coffee, or hot water to enhance the chocolate taste and create a soft texture.
Filling and Frosting: Between the layers, you might find chocolate ganache, a rich chocolate buttercream, or even a layer of silky chocolate pudding or mousse, contributing to the cake’s luxuriousness.
Topping: The cake might be finished with a glossy chocolate ganache, a sprinkle of cocoa powder, chocolate shavings, or chocolate curls to reinforce the chocolate theme visually and texturally.

Texture:

The cake aims to balance textures from the softness of the cake layers to the smooth or creamy consistency of the filling and the velvety finish of the ganache or frosting. This variety in texture makes each bite interesting and satisfying.

Flavour:

Chocolate Dream Cake is all about celebrating chocolate, so it often features a combination of different types of chocolate (dark, milk, and/or semi-sweet) to create a complex, multi-dimensional chocolate flavour. Additions like espresso powder, vanilla extract, or a hint of salt might be used to enhance and deepen the chocolate flavour further.

Presentation:

While the taste is paramount, the presentation of a Chocolate Dream Cake is also important. It should look as decadent as it tastes, often adorned with additional chocolate elements or a dusting of cocoa powder to make it visually appealing.

Now let’s make a delicious Chocolate Dream Cake!

Ingredients:

For the Cake:

125g all-purpose flour
200g granulated sugar
35g raw cocoa
1 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 egg
110ml milk
1/2 cup warm water
50ml vegetable oil
dash vanilla extract

For the Chocolate Ganache:

35g raw cocoa powder
100g sugar
3 tablespoons cornstarch
625ml milk
2 tablespoons (30g) butter
200g chocolate chips

Below follow our baking tutorial:

Instructions:

Making the Cake:

Preheat your oven to 180°C. Grease and flour two size 16 round cake pans.
In a large bowl, add egg, vegetable oil, milk, sugar and vanilla. Whisk until combined
Add sifted flour, cocoa, baking powder and baking soda, whisk until combined, then add warm water and whisk until you have a smooth batter.
Divide the batter evenly between the prepared pans.
Bake for 30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the centre comes out clean.
Let the cakes cool in the pans for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
Cut the cakes in half and place at the bottom of a cake tin.

Making the Chocolate Ganache:

Add cocoa powder, sugar, cornstarch and milk to a saucepan. Mix until is a smooth consistency and begins to simmer. Do not let it boil.
Add the buttered stir until it has melted and combined and looks smooth and glossy.
Melt the chocolate chips.

Assembling the Cake:

Pour warm water with sugar or honey over the cake in the tin you have prepared. Spread a layer of ganache over the top, smoothing with a spatula, then add the melted chocolate and smooth over the top of the ganache.
Let the cake set for a bit before slicing. This helps the ganache set and makes the cake easier to slice.

Enjoy!

Now that you’ve mastered the art of assembling this decadent Chocolate Dream Cake, why not turn it into the star of a full dinner party? To complement the rich, indulgent flavours of this dessert, consider this menu and wine pairing to create a memorable experience for your guests.

Dinner Party Menu Suggestion:

•   Starter: Begin with a light and refreshing Goat’s Cheese and Beetroot Salad, drizzled with balsamic glaze. This will offer a sweet and tangy balance before the rich main course.
•   Main Course: For the entrée, serve a hearty Herb-Crusted Rack of Lamb with roasted root vegetables and a red wine jus. The earthiness of the lamb pairs perfectly with the roasted flavours and will contrast beautifully with the sweetness of the dessert to come.
•   Dessert: Finish with your Chocolate Dream Cake, accompanied by a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream.

Wine Pairing:

To elevate the experience, pair the lamb with a robust red such as the Penfolds Bin 389 Cabernet Shiraz 2018, which offers rich black fruit and mocha notes that will transition seamlessly into the chocolatey flavours of the dessert . For the Chocolate Dream Cake itself, consider a Ruby Port, which brings out the deeper flavours of the chocolate and adds a luscious, fruity contrast .

This menu will create an elegant and flavourful dining experience that allows your Chocolate Dream Cake to shine as the finale!

FAQ’s

What is the Spiritual Meaning of a Dream Cake?

The spiritual meaning of dreaming about a cake, including a “dream cake,” often relates to celebration, rewards, and indulgence. In the context of dreams, a cake can symbolise the following:

1.  Celebration and Joy: Cakes are typically associated with festive occasions and celebrations such as birthdays, weddings, and achievements. Dreaming of a cake can indicate happiness, success, and a reason to celebrate in your waking life.
2.  Rewards and Abundance: Cakes represent indulgence and abundance. Dreaming of a cake might suggest that you are about to receive a reward for your efforts or that you are in a period of prosperity and abundance.
3.  Self-Care and Treating Yourself: A cake in a dream can be a reminder to take care of yourself and indulge in the pleasures of life. It may indicate the need to treat yourself kindly and enjoy the small pleasures that life offers.
4.  Sharing and Community: Cakes are often shared with others during gatherings and social events. Dreaming of a cake might highlight the importance of community, sharing, and connection with others.
5.  Inner Fulfillment: On a deeper level, dreaming of a cake could signify inner fulfillment and satisfaction. It can be a metaphor for feeling whole and content within yourself.

Overall, a dream cake is a positive symbol, suggesting happiness, success, and the importance of enjoying life’s sweet moments.

Why is it Called a Chocolate Dream Cake?

A chocolate dream cake is named for its ability to evoke a sense of indulgence, delight, and fantasy, akin to a dream-like experience. Here are a few reasons why it’s called a chocolate dream cake:

1.  Luxurious and Decadent Experience: The cake is typically rich, moist, and filled with layers of chocolate, creating a luxurious dessert experience that feels almost surreal or dream-like.
2.  Multiple Layers of Chocolate: The combination of different textures and types of chocolate—such as cake layers, mousse, ganache, and glaze—creates a complex and satisfying dessert that exceeds ordinary expectations, much like an idealized vision or dream.
3.  Visual Appeal: The cake often looks stunning and appetising, decorated with chocolate shavings, curls, or fresh fruits. Its appearance can be so perfect that it seems almost too good to be true, like something from a dream.
4.  Sensory Delight: The flavour profile and texture provide a sensory overload that is deeply satisfying, often leaving people feeling like they are in a state of bliss, similar to how one might feel in a pleasant dream.
5.  Emotional Connection: Desserts, especially chocolate ones, often evoke positive emotions and memories. The name “dream cake” taps into this emotional connection, suggesting that the cake will provide a comforting, joyful, and almost magical experience.

In essence, a chocolate dream cake aims to deliver an extraordinary, almost ethereal dessert experience, making the name fitting for such a treat.