The Mary Berry Chocolate Courgette Cake offers a rich, decadent twist on the traditional chocolate cake.
What makes this cake unique is the addition of grated courgettes, which add moisture and softness without impacting the chocolatey flavor. This cake is a perfect balance between indulgence and lightness, ideal for both casual gatherings and special occasions. Ready to bake? Let’s dive into the details of this wonderful recipe.
What is Mary Berry Chocolate Courgette Cake?
This cake combines the rich, deep flavors of chocolate with the surprising addition of courgettes. The courgettes add moisture, making the cake soft and tender without any hint of vegetable flavor. It’s a clever way to keep the cake light, airy, and moist while still indulging in the chocolatey goodness.
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Why You Should Try This Recipe
- Rich Chocolate Flavor: This cake offers a deep, satisfying chocolate taste that’s sure to please.
- Super Moist Texture: The courgettes add an unbeatable softness and moisture to the cake.
- Healthier Twist: Adding courgettes provides some extra nutrition without compromising the flavor.
- Perfect for All Occasions: Whether it’s a birthday, gathering, or just a family treat, this cake fits every occasion.
- Easy to Make: With simple ingredients and steps, it’s easy to whip up in no time.
- Crowd-Pleaser: The rich, fudgy texture is sure to impress chocolate lovers.
Ingredients Needed to Make Mary Berry Chocolate Courgette Cake
- Courgettes (Zucchini): Grated to provide the cake with moisture.
- Self-raising flour: Helps the cake rise properly.
- Cocoa powder: Adds the deep chocolate flavor.
- Caster sugar: Sweetens the cake while keeping the chocolate flavor prominent.
- Eggs: Binds the ingredients and provides structure to the cake.
- Vegetable oil: Adds to the moistness and softness of the cake.
- Vanilla extract: Enhances the overall flavor.
- Baking powder: Assists in giving the cake a light and fluffy texture.
- Dark chocolate chips (optional): Add an extra layer of chocolatey goodness.
Equipment
- Mixing bowls: For mixing dry and wet ingredients separately.
- Grater: To grate the courgettes.
- Electric mixer: For easy mixing and a smooth batter.
- Cake tin: A standard round or square cake tin works well.
- Cooling rack: To cool the cake after baking.
Instructions to Prepare Mary Berry Chocolate Courgette Cake
Before you start, preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F) and grease and line your cake tin.
- Prepare the Courgettes: Grate the courgettes and squeeze out any excess moisture using a clean kitchen towel.
- Mix the Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, sift together the flour, cocoa powder, and baking powder.
- Beat the Eggs and Sugar: In a separate bowl, beat the eggs, sugar, and vanilla extract until well combined.
- Add the Wet Ingredients: Slowly add the oil and grated courgettes to the egg mixture, stirring until fully incorporated.
- Combine Dry and Wet Mixtures: Gradually fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture until the batter is smooth and chocolatey. If you’re using chocolate chips, gently fold them in at this stage.
- Bake the Cake: Pour the batter into your prepared cake tin and bake for 45-50 minutes or until a skewer inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Cool the Cake: Let the cake cool in the tin for 10 minutes before transferring it to a cooling rack to cool completely.
What Goes Well With Mary Berry Chocolate Courgette Cake
- Whipped cream: A dollop of lightly sweetened whipped cream adds a nice contrast to the rich chocolate flavor.
- Vanilla ice cream: For an indulgent dessert, serve with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
- Fresh berries: Raspberries or strawberries pair beautifully with chocolate.
- Chocolate ganache: Drizzle some chocolate ganache over the top for an extra chocolatey finish.
- A dusting of powdered sugar: A simple dusting of powdered sugar adds elegance and a touch of sweetness.
Expert Tips for Making the Best Mary Berry Chocolate Courgette Cake
- Squeeze out the courgettes: Removing excess water ensures the cake won’t become too soggy.
- Don’t overmix the batter: Overmixing can result in a denser cake, so fold the ingredients until just combined.
- Use fresh courgettes: Freshly grated courgettes work best, as they add the perfect amount of moisture.
- Opt for dark chocolate: If adding chocolate chips, use dark chocolate for a richer flavor.
- Test for doneness: Check with a skewer—if it comes out clean, the cake is done baking.
- Cool before serving: Allow the cake to cool fully on a rack for the best texture.
Easy Variations of Mary Berry Chocolate Courgette Cake
- Add walnuts: Chopped walnuts add a nice crunch and complement the chocolate flavor.
- Use milk chocolate chips: Swap dark chocolate chips for milk chocolate if you prefer a sweeter touch.
- Add a frosting: Top with a rich chocolate buttercream frosting for an extra indulgent cake.
- Make it gluten-free: Use a gluten-free self-raising flour blend.
- Add a hint of spice: A pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg can add warmth to the cake’s flavor.
Best Practices to Store Mary Berry Chocolate Courgette Cake
- Room temperature: Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
- Refrigeration: If you prefer, refrigerate the cake to keep it fresh for up to 5 days.
- Freezing: Wrap individual slices in cling film and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw at room temperature before serving.
- Avoid direct sunlight: Store the cake in a cool, dry place to prevent it from drying out.
Best Practices to Reheat Mary Berry Chocolate Courgette Cake
- Microwave: Heat individual slices in the microwave for 15-20 seconds to bring back their moist texture.
- Oven: Reheat the whole cake or slices in a preheated oven at 150°C (300°F) for 5-10 minutes.
- Thaw from frozen: Allow frozen slices to thaw at room temperature before reheating.
Nutrition Value (per serving)
- Calories: 280 kcal
- Protein: 5g
- Fat: 14g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Sugar: 22g
- Fiber: 3g
FAQs
Can you taste the courgette in Mary Berry Chocolate Courgette Cake?
No, you won’t be able to taste the courgette in this cake. The courgettes primarily add moisture, giving the cake a soft and tender texture without contributing any noticeable vegetable flavor.
How do I prevent the chocolate courgette cake from becoming too soggy?
To prevent the cake from becoming soggy, make sure to squeeze out the excess moisture from the grated courgettes before adding them to the batter. This helps the cake maintain the perfect texture without being too wet.
Can I freeze Mary Berry Chocolate Courgette Cake?
Yes, this cake freezes very well. To freeze, wrap individual slices in cling film or aluminum foil, and store them in an airtight container or freezer bag for up to 2 months. Thaw the slices at room temperature before serving.
What can I use as a healthier substitute for sugar in this cake?
You can substitute caster sugar with natural sweeteners like honey, maple syrup, or coconut sugar. These options will still provide sweetness but with fewer processed sugars, making the cake a bit healthier.
Final Words
The Mary Berry Chocolate Courgette Cake is a perfect blend of rich chocolate flavor and moist texture, thanks to the secret ingredient—courgettes.
Give it a try and discover the magic of adding courgettes to your bakes!
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Mary Berry Chocolate Courgette Cake
- Prep Time: 20
- Cook Time: 45
- Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
- Yield: 8
- Category: Dessert
- Cuisine: British
Description
This cake is a decadent chocolate dessert made with grated courgettes, which help keep the cake tender and moist without affecting the taste. The rich chocolate flavor is complemented by the natural moisture from the courgettes, creating a dessert that is both indulgent and surprisingly light.
Ingredients
- Courgettes (Zucchini): Grated to provide the cake with moisture.
- Self-raising flour: Helps the cake rise properly.
- Cocoa powder: Adds the deep chocolate flavor.
- Caster sugar: Sweetens the cake while keeping the chocolate flavor prominent.
- Eggs: Binds the ingredients and provides structure to the cake.
- Vegetable oil: Adds to the moistness and softness of the cake.
- Vanilla extract: Enhances the overall flavor.
- Baking powder: Assists in giving the cake a light and fluffy texture.
- Dark chocolate chips (optional): Add an extra layer of chocolatey goodness.
Instructions
- Prepare the Courgettes: Grate the courgettes and squeeze out any excess moisture using a clean kitchen towel.
- Mix the Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, sift together the flour, cocoa powder, and baking powder.
- Beat the Eggs and Sugar: In a separate bowl, beat the eggs, sugar, and vanilla extract until well combined.
- Add the Wet Ingredients: Slowly add the oil and grated courgettes to the egg mixture, stirring until fully incorporated.
- Combine Dry and Wet Mixtures: Gradually fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture until the batter is smooth and chocolatey. If you’re using chocolate chips, gently fold them in at this stage.
- Bake the Cake: Pour the batter into your prepared cake tin and bake for 45-50 minutes or until a skewer inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Cool the Cake: Let the cake cool in the tin for 10 minutes before transferring it to a cooling rack to cool completely.
