Adapting chocolate cake recipe for a friends birthday

Asked on 25 Apr 2021 by Rob C

Hi Lindsey

I have been asked to make a chocolate cake for a friends birthday next weekend. I am planning to do the one from HTC (as a large cake) but I really like the frosting that is used on the ultimate carrot cake (made with mascarpone). Do you think there is a way to adapt the mascarpone frosting to be used on a chocolate cake at all?

Lindsey, Food Editor replied

Hello,

Do you mean this cake with a chocolate mascarpone filling/topping?

A picture of Delia's Chocolate, Prune and Armagnac Cake recipe

Chocolate, Prune and Armagnac Cake Flourless

Kind regards

Lindsey

Rob C replied

Hi Lindsey

It is this cake I was thinking of making

https://www.deliaonline.com/recipes/occasions/easter/easter-recipes-for-...

In the HTC book, detail is also given to make it as a large cake rather than smaller cupcakes.

And yes - a chocolate mascarpone filling and topping would be ideal. Do you have a recipe for it?

Warm regards

Rob :)

Lindsey, Food Editor replied

Hello Rob,

Using an electric whisk, I would mix 400g mascarpone with 75g icing sugar, and then gradually whisk in 175g melted dark chocolate.

Make sure the mascarpone isn’t too cold and that the melted chocolate has cooled so the two are a similar temperature or the chocolate will set in clumps rather that combine to from a smooth even mix.

You could add a little five spice or a little espresso powder to flavour it if you like.

Kind regards

Lindsey

Rob C replied

Thanks so much Lindsey - worked a treat :)

Just sitting here watching the original Cookery Course on iplayer! I remember very well in 1978 as a 2 year old, my mother used to plonk me in front of Delia whilst she did the housework - Delia was my very first babysitter I guess and sparked my lifelong interest in home cooking

Warmest regards

Rob :)