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Chocolate Fluff sponge cake with strawberries and cream

23/8/2014

 
Chocolate Fluff sponge cake with strawberries and cream by Liz Posmyk, Good Things
Allow me please to introduce you to 'Chocolate Fluff' — a soufflé-like, delicately-flavoured chocolate sponge cake — one of the absolute favourites on my baking repertoire. Every time I make it, I'm reminded of how very, very good it is, and I always find myself going in for seconds, as do my guests who sample it. It's simply one of 'those' cakes. 

I had originally published the recipe in my newspaper column in the late 90s, and here in 2011, in the early stages of this little blog. I know you will appreciate that this is a Good Thing that I'm keen to share again, especially now that my readership is likely to attract more than two comments, with thanks to my friends Lorraine from NQN, and 'The Dog'. 

When it comes to cakes, I find myself opting for featherweight types over the dense, heavily-iced sugary specimens, although they too have their place on the sweets trolley, I'm sure. If your taste buds are anything like mine, you might like to try this nougat passionfruit sponge or these more decadent vanilla sponge squares.

As always, use only the freshest ingredients when baking sponge cakes, particularly free-range eggs which you should bring to room temperature before you start cooking. In her brilliant tome, CookWise, culinary sleuth Shirley O. Corriher says that while old thin egg whites will whip up faster than very fresh ones, fresh egg whites maker a stabler foam that holds up better in a soufflé or cake. Also, the colder the egg whites, Corriher says, the longer it takes to beat them to a good foam. 

One more thing, always handle sponge cakes with a little bit of care, as their light and airy texture can settle and shrink quickly. And there's nothing worse than watching your masterpiece slowly deflate.

Happy baking xo

Eggs and cute egg separator by Liz Posmyk, Good Things

Measuring spoons and Droste cocoa by Liz Posmyk

Stand mixer whisk attachment with cornflour by Liz Posmyk, Good Things

Vanilla infused caster sugar in vintage measuring jug by Liz Posmyk, Good Things

Egg shells and golden syrup by Liz Posmyk, Good Things

The recipe...

CHOCOLATE FLUFF SPONGE CAKE 
4 free-range eggs, separated
2/3 cup vanilla-infused caster sugar or golden caster sugar
1 tablespoon (20ml) golden syrup, warmed

Combined dry ingredients:
1 level tablespoon (20ml) cocoa 
1/2 cup maize cornflour
2 level tablespoons (40ml) plain (AP) flour (or gluten free flour)
1/2 teaspoon bicarbonate of soda

To serve:
whipped cream, with a dash of vanilla
fresh strawberries, sliced

Preheat your oven to 180 degrees C. Grease and line two round 20cm cake tins with baking paper. In a stand mixer, beat the egg whites until they are stiff. Gradually beat in the caster sugar, followed by the egg yolks (one at a time), then whisk in the golden syrup. 

Combine the cocoa, cornflour, plain flour and bicarb in a small bowl and run a balloon whisk through the mixture several times to break up any small lumps (or, sift it if you must). Using a spatula, gently fold the dry ingredients into the egg mixture. 

Pour the batter evenly into the two prepared cake tins and bake for 20 minutes, until the cake springs back when lightly touched. Turn the cakes out carefully onto wire racks that you have lined with baking paper...  I find that this prevents the cake from sticking and also leaves no marks. Gently remove the baking paper from the cakes and allow to them to cool. Fill with slightly sweetened vanilla whipped cream and sliced strawberries. Serves 8.
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Whisked by Liz Posmyk, Good Things

A soufflé-like chocolate sponge cake, one of my absolute favourites...

Chocolate Fluff sponge cake with strawberries and cream by Liz Posmyk, Good Things

Note: As an acknowledgement of the original recipe source, it was shared many times over in the late 90s by a lady I once knew, who apparently originally acquired it from her friend, Carmel. I have not found anything like it in any of my cook books, although there is a recipe for Ginger Fluff in my 1946 edition of the CWA Coronation Cookery Book. The recipe I have shared here is my own version, with changes that suit my taste buds (for example, I use less sugar, add a hint of vanilla, and so on). I have also written the recipe in my own words.

Tell me dear readers, what are your favourite cakes? Share your stories. I do love hearing from you.
Lorraine, Not Quite Nigella (August 2011)
22/8/2014 12:39:26 pm

Fantastic looking sponge and I've found that with older egg whites too. I've found some really great results from duck eggs too! :)

Lizzy
4/9/2014 05:16:40 pm

I have yet to try duck eggs, Lorraine, but it's on my list : )

Schwag Dog (August 2011)
22/8/2014 12:40:08 pm

I want some too.... it looks soooooooo good!

Lizzy
4/9/2014 05:17:06 pm

Thanks Doggie, you have had this one.... a couple of times... and you said 'That is a good sponge'. Love u.

Jane @ Shady Baker
22/8/2014 05:58:23 pm

Impressive, professional baking from your kitchen as usual Lizzy! Those two words...chocolate and sponge are just perfect partners aren't they? So few ingredients too. I hope you are having a lovely weekend x

Lizzy
4/9/2014 05:17:30 pm

Thanks Jane, this is a beauty and I do hope you will try it xo Have a great weekend!

Elizabeth link
22/8/2014 06:17:50 pm

What a wonderful baker you are. I love sponge cakes they are beautiful old fashioned cake. Although my favorite is the plain vanilla sponge with passionfruit icing, cream and strawberries this looks wonderful as well.

Lizzy
4/9/2014 05:17:45 pm

Oh yes, Elizabeth, mine too!

Jennifer Milk and Honey link
22/8/2014 11:41:35 pm

Sponges are such classy addition to an afternoon tea table. Yours looks wonderful.

Lizzy
4/9/2014 05:17:59 pm

So true, Jennifer and thank you for your kind words.

Padaek link
23/8/2014 05:47:52 am

Amazing looking sponge cake and great recipe Liz! Love the photos as always too. :)

Lizzy
4/9/2014 05:18:10 pm

Oh Padaek, thank you : )

Francesca link
23/8/2014 12:08:11 pm

A lovely Sunday post. Reminds me of my mother's Sunday sponges. x

Lizzy
4/9/2014 05:18:23 pm

Aw, how delightful... : ) xo

Liz link
23/8/2014 12:50:25 pm

Liz, your cream filled chocolate fluff cake looks divine!!! The kind of cake that makes me swoon, too :)

Lizzy
4/9/2014 05:18:32 pm

We are as one, Liz xo

Elizabeth link
23/8/2014 03:48:46 pm

Well doesn't that look delicious!
t use Duck eggs once for a sponge and I have never gone back! They make the sponge so creamy.
Thanks for sharing.
Liz x

Lizzy
4/9/2014 05:18:54 pm

Well now, that's it... I MUST try duck eggs! xo

Diane
23/8/2014 11:13:00 pm

My mother-in-law made the most wonderful sponge cakes for her large family who visited every Sunday. Your chocolate sponge brought back some great memories of a time long passed. Thank you.

Lizzy
4/9/2014 05:19:17 pm

Diane, that is so sweet of you... thank you for your kind words. I hope you will try to bake this one xo

KRISTA R BJORN link
24/8/2014 12:58:53 am

Mmm, I do so love a good chocolate cake. This sounds almost ethereal. :-)

Lizzy
4/9/2014 05:19:30 pm

It is quite exquisite, Krista : )

Tania@My KItchen Stories link
24/8/2014 02:04:20 am

Looks light and gorgeous and very fluffy. I'd just like to eat it all

Lizzy
4/9/2014 05:19:44 pm

And that, Tania, is not hard to do! : )

Eva Taylor link
24/8/2014 02:56:12 am

I love a good sponge cake too, my Mom used to put coco powder into her piskota and roll it with jam and whipped cream. So delightful and light.
Eva http://kitcheninspirations.wordpress.com/

Lizzy
4/9/2014 05:20:00 pm

Oh yummy, Eva x

David Scott Allen link
24/8/2014 06:17:02 am

This looks fantastic, Liz - and I was considering a sponge cake of sorts for my birthday dinner tonight, but a Tarte au Citron won the bidding! Maybe I will have to make this in Seeptember for a friend's birthday!

Lizzy
4/9/2014 05:20:16 pm

Oh David, yes, please do and let me know how it goes : )

John @ Kitchen Riffs link
24/8/2014 06:38:24 am

I like that measuring cup! Terrific design -- so useful. And of course I like the cake, too.;-) I can see why this is such a hit. Glad you decided to revisit this recipe, as I missed it the first time around.

Lizzy
4/9/2014 05:20:35 pm

John thank you, it's a vintage one, it even has GILL measurements!

kellile@foodtoglow link
24/8/2014 08:24:05 am

This looks incredibly light. Although I don't really 'do' sugar these days (and my daughter is actually very intolerant of sugar - migraines and dizziness!) this does look very tempting. A proper cake. No need for frills

Lizzy
4/9/2014 05:20:54 pm

So true, Kellie, no need for frills.

cheri link
24/8/2014 08:52:40 am

What a beauty of a cake, love that this is served with whip cream and strawberries!

Lizzy
4/9/2014 05:21:06 pm

Cheri, thank you so much!

e / dig in hobart link
24/8/2014 11:30:02 am

i'd heard of ginger fluff but not chocolate fluff... what a light-looking sponge cake that is, liz. i love sponge cake, but in our family we tend to save it for special occasions like birthdays.
i will remember your tip about paper on the wire rakcs. of course!

Lizzy
4/9/2014 05:21:16 pm

Thank you!

Laura (Tutti Dolci) link
24/8/2014 01:26:00 pm

I love chocolate with strawberries, what a delicious cake!

Lizzy
4/9/2014 05:21:26 pm

It sure is, Laura.

Amanda @ Gourmanda link
24/8/2014 01:36:30 pm

It's great to have these kinds of recipes up your sleeves - the winners that everyone loves!

Lizzy
4/9/2014 05:21:39 pm

Oh yes, Amanda, for sure!

Rosa link
24/8/2014 08:52:38 pm

It looks divine and ever so fluffy! A beautiful tea time treat.

Cheers,

Rosa

Lizzy
4/9/2014 05:21:49 pm

Rosa, thank you so much!

Gourmet Getaways link
24/8/2014 09:11:15 pm

I can smell the goodness of the cake from my laptop. Gosh! Plus the fresh strawberries!

Julie
Gourmet Getaways

Lizzy
4/9/2014 05:22:05 pm

Pass you a fork, perhaps Julie? : )

Hotly Spiced link
24/8/2014 10:39:15 pm

What a great looking sponge, Lizzy. It has so much height and looks so light xx

Lizzy
4/9/2014 05:22:20 pm

Thank you Charlie, it is a good one xo

Donalyn / The Creekside Cook link
25/8/2014 01:57:12 am

I love beautiful, airy sponge cakes, and this one looks particularly fine! I think really fresh eggs nearly always improve baked goods - I certainly notice a huge difference if I have to buy them when our chickens are molting. Giving this a try!

Lizzy
4/9/2014 05:22:36 pm

Thanks so much Donalyn, do let me know how you go.

Helene DSouza link
25/8/2014 03:42:25 am

I like to bake simple sponge cakes, especially if I am in a hurry. Lizzy my husband is drooling next to me! I could take a slice too right now :)

Lizzy
4/9/2014 05:22:54 pm

Hi Helene, oh this is a great cake... you must try it xo

Mary Frances link
25/8/2014 10:39:02 am

I love the simple elegance of this cake!

Lizzy
4/9/2014 05:23:05 pm

Thank you Mary Frances, nicely said.

El link
25/8/2014 03:03:46 pm

What a lovely cake. Looks delicious!

Lizzy
4/9/2014 05:23:21 pm

El, thank you, it is a goodie.

Maureen link
29/8/2014 01:08:49 am

I've only had ginger fluff once and it was made by my next door neighbour in Wodonga. I really love her but this cake was awful. Hers was so dry I thought I could spit cotton. What was worse was she told me it was her signature dish.

Yours does not look dry -- it looks delicious!

Lizzy
4/9/2014 05:23:46 pm

Oh Maureen, you made me laugh... do try this one!

Joanne T Ferguson link
30/8/2014 03:26:05 pm

G'day! Gorgeous cake Lizzy! I LOVE cake depending on my mood, but strawberry shortcake always makes me feel like I am five! :)
Cheers! Joanne Sharing today!

Lizzy
4/9/2014 05:24:00 pm

Thanks darling one xo

Marian@Apricot Tart link
1/9/2014 11:58:59 pm

Your chocolate fluff sponge looks divine, Liz! It bought happy memories flooding back of a similar cake my dear Mum used to bake!

Lizzy
4/9/2014 05:24:13 pm

Oh really, Marian, how wonderful. Thank you for your kind words.

Christina
13/9/2014 01:10:14 pm

Does 1 tablespoon of cocoa powder lend a chocolate flavor? Just doesn't seem like enough to me.


Comments are closed.

    Welcome...

    Üdvözölöm
    Photo of Liz Posmyk, Food Writer, Cook and Traveller

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Good Things is written and published by Liz Posmyk © 2011-2020.   All rights reserved.
Excerpts may be used provided that full and clear credit is given. Thank you.


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