The key to a sweet summer treat is a medley of fresh, local and organic fruit. Erin Patrick of Sweet Things Bakery showcases the joys of summer baking with her Chocolate Butter Cream Cake. Enticing layers of rich butter cream filling are topped with mouth-watering berries and chocolate shavings for that perfect pairing of sweet-tart juiciness. Patrick’s credo is to use simple, natural ingredients for a cake that’s both scrumptious and nutritious. “It’s about comfort foods, those familiar flavours from mom and grandma,” she says. Find cookies and pastries from Sweet Things Bakery at the Moss Street Market this spring and summer.
Chocolate Butter Cream Cake
Cake Layers:*
• 230 grams organic unbleached white flour
• 130 grams cocoa powder
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 2 tsp baking powder
• 600 grams organic cane sugar
• 6 eggs at room temperature (Suggestion: Patrick uses local eggs from Metchosin)
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 300 grams buttermilk at room temperature (Suggestion: Patrick uses Avalon Buttermilk)
• 150 grams melted butter
• 300 grams coffee room temperature
*This recipe makes two layers. For additional layers, multiply the recipe, as needed.
1. Combine dry ingredients. Set aside.
2. Beat the eggs for 3 minutes. Stir in the buttermilk and vanilla. Add the dry ingredients to the egg mixture and mix until combined and smooth.
3. Mix in the melted butter and the coffee and divide evenly between the 2 pans.
4. Bake at 350 degrees F for approximately 30-40 minutes.
Vanilla Buttercream Icing
• 1 cup salted butter at room temperature
• 3 tsp vanilla
• 4 cups icing sugar
• 4-5 tbsp cream at room temperature
1. Whip butter until smooth and fluffy.
2. Add 2 cups icing sugar and beat until smooth.
3. Add half the cream and vanilla until combined.
4. Add the remaining 2 cups icing sugar and remaining cream and mix until smooth and desired consistency.
To assemble cake: use a serrated knife to trim the tops of the cakes to make level. Place bottom layer on a cake stand and top with icing. Place the second cake layer on top and spread with icing. (If using additional layers, repeat until final cake layer. Cakes with three layers or more may require inserting wooden skewers into the top of the cake to secure.)
Top with fresh berries from the local farmer’s market and chocolate shavings.