I so enjoyed Marty Wingate's delicious English cozy "Empty Nest" that I asked her to be a guest here on Mystery Lovers' Kitchen. A chocolate cake featured quite prominently in the book and every time it was mentioned, I drooled at the thought of a delicious piece of cake and a cup of tea! I managed to convince Marty to share the recipe with us today!
By Marty Wingate
Julia Lanchester finds it difficult to resist chocolate cake
– especially the kind made by Nuala Darke, who runs the tea room in
Smeaton-under-Lyme, the village where Julia manages the Tourist Information
Center.
I set my Birds of a Feather mystery series in this fictional
village in the real county of Suffolk, England. Birds infuse the stories – how
could they not, when Julia, the protagonist, is daughter of the celebrity
ornithologist Rupert Lanchester (he’s got his own television show). But the
books (#1 – The Rhyme of the Magpie;
#2 – Empty Nest; #3 – now under
constructions) are also filled with quirky characters, a bit of romance, food,
and – of course – a murder, which Julia feels compelled to investigate.
Julia loves to eat and she’s one of those people who can eat
constantly (it seems) and never gain an ounce. Although all authors put a lot
of themselves into their characters this one trait is, sadly, where Julia and I
part ways.
So, on to the chocolate cake, which you will read about in Empty Nest (along with Nuala’s other tea
room treats, such as cheese-and-bacon scones). The recipe below is my own
version of a cake that is served in many of the National Trust cafes around
Britain – it’s incredibly chocolately and amazing good. Be sure to check the
size of your cake pans – they should be on the small side, only 8 inches in
diameter. I hope you will try the recipe out and also read about Julia’s
escapades. I’m just finishing up #3, which will be released early in 2017.
Nuala’s Chcolate Cake
Cake:
5 ½ ounces dark chocolate (not unsweetened), chopped *
2 cups brown sugar, loosely packed
1 scant cup whole milk
1 ½ cups plain flour
1 ½ tsp. baking powder
3 Tbl. cocoa
pinch of salt
6 oz. (1 ½ sticks) butter, softened
3 large eggs, beaten
½ tsp. vanilla extract
Ganache:
12 oz. dark chocolate (not unsweetened), chopped
1 ¼ cup cream
For the cake:
1. Set the oven to 325 degrees F and butter/oil/spray two
8-inch cake tins. Line the base of each with parchment paper.
2. Put the chocolate, half the sugar, and about two-thirds
of the milk in a saucepan. Set it over low heat and gently stir until the
chocolate has melted and the sugar dissolved. (It should not get hot, only
warm.) Set aside.
3. Sift together: flour, baking powder, cocoa, and salt. Set
aside. Put the butter and remaining sugar in a mixing bowl and beat.
4. Gradually beat in the eggs and vanilla. Fold in the flour
mixture in three stages, alternating with the remaining milk. Fold in the warm
chocolate mixture, finishing it by hand.
5. Divide between the prepared tins and bake for 40 minutes
or until the sponge springs back when lightly pressed. Cool the cakes in the
tins for about 10 minutes, then turn out and peel off the parchment.
For the ganache:
1. Put the chocolate in a bowl over a pan of just-boiled
water, off the heat; stir until melted. OR microwave in a glass bowl on low in
20-second increments, stirring each time until melted (it gets warm, but not
hot).
2. Once melted, put the cream in a small saucepan, bring to
the boil, and pour into the melted chocolate. Using a wooden spoon, first stir,
then beat (be careful not to slosh it on yourself!) until combined and glossy.
Cool. Just as it’s finally cool, if it seems too runny, use a wire whisk and
beat it.
3. When the cake and ganache are at room temperature, place
the first layer on a plate (put a blob of ganache on the plate to help the
layer hold still), spread some ganache, then set the second layer on. (I find
it easier to set bottom-to-bottom so there’s no gap between the layers.) Cover
the cake and leave in a cool place to set.
*I was delighted to find that Nestles sells a bag of dark
chocolate morsels – more chocolatey than the semisweet chips. This is what I
used, even though chocolate chips take a bit more time to melt than if you chop
a block yourself.
Prepare the ingredients
Divide the batter
Cover with ganache
Enjoy!
And there's a GIVEAWAY!
In the meantime, here’s a giveaway offer from my other
series – the Potting Shed mysteries (about an American gardener who moves to
England and digs up more than weeds). I have a copy of the audio version of
book #1, The Garden Plot – free to
the lucky winner who will be randomly chosen. To enter the drawing, leave a
comment below – and be sure to include your email address. I’ll contact the
winner.
And visit my website (http://www.randomhousebooks.com/authors/marty-wingate/)
to sign up for my occasional newsletter with news about books and England.
You can find all my books – including Potting Shed #5, The Bluebonnet Betrayal (coming out
August), in all ebook formats – Kindle, Nook, iBookstore, Kobo, GooglePlay and
more!
Bio:
Marty Wingate is a
Seattle-based writer and speaker who shares her love of Britain in her two
mystery series. The Potting Shed books feature Pru Parke, a middle-aged
American gardener transplanted from Texas to England, and Birds of a Feather
follows Julia Lanchester, bird lover, who runs a tourist office in a Suffolk
village.
Marty writes garden articles
for magazines including Country Gardens
and the American Gardener. She is a
member of the Royal Horticultural Society, Mystery Writers of America, Sisters
in Crime, and the Crime Writers Association. She leads garden tours to England,
Scotland and Ireland, spending free moments deep in research for her books. Or
in pubs.
Love the series, can't wait for Bluebonnet to come out. I'd love having an audio version of The Garden Plot. taft.jane at gmail.com
ReplyDeleteThanks! The Bluebonnet Betrayal takes place at the Chelsea Flower Show - I had a great time writing it. At the moment, I'm finishing up #3 Birds of a Feather.
DeleteFabulous cake recipe and audio book offer! EMS591@aol.com
ReplyDeleteYou can't top that ganache icing!
DeleteI love gardening and cozy mysteries. Thanks for the giveaway. mmamacitagrita@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteIt's amazing what Pru Parke can dig up in a garden!
DeleteOh, this is definitely my next dessert. I am just now getting into audiobooks. I can bake my cake and listen to the story at the same time...perfect!
ReplyDeletekat8762@aol.com
The reader (Erin Bennett) is fantastic - she brings my characters to life!
DeleteI love layered cakes! Thanks for the introduction. I'd love a chance to win! TeaCupsAndLipstick at Gmail.com
ReplyDeleteOptional pairing with the cake - ice cream or a good hot cup of tea. (Or both!)
DeleteSounds perfect to me!
DeleteThe recipe sounds so good! I have this book to my TBR list and can't wait to read it. brichardson0056@yahoo.com
ReplyDeleteThanks! I hope you'll enjoy both series (Potting Shed and Birds of a Feather) - Pru and Julia are quite different characters!
DeleteI love chocolate so this cake looks delicious! Thank you for the recipe and giveaway! myrifraf (at) gmail (dot) com
ReplyDeleteIt's a chocolate wonder, and the cake texture is lovely - soft, dense, but not too heavy.
DeleteYummy chocolate cake. Thanks for the recipe and the giveaway.
ReplyDeleteBe sure to send your email address for the giveaway!
DeleteThank you for both. suefoster109@netzero.net
ReplyDeleteGood luck!
DeleteLooks like a great series. pwtish171@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteWelcome. What a deadly-looking cake! (Funny--I've seen those mugs before, in a shop in Skibbereen in Cork. I couldn't resist the hedgehog one.)
ReplyDeleteI love Emma Bridgewater pottery! I try to bring home one mug per trip.
DeleteYou had me at cake. Thanks for the chance to win. Dmskrug3(at)hotmail(dot)com
ReplyDeleteI just wrote a scene in Birds of a Feather #3 with Julia eating this cake. And I'm making one for a dinner party in two weeks. Yum!
DeleteChocolate cake and a great giveaway, a perfect duo. Thank you! J_a_m_5672@yahoo.com
ReplyDeleteChocolate cake may not photograph well, but it sure tastes fabulous!
DeleteThank you so much for being our guest today, Marty and for the awesome chocolate cake recipe and generous giveaway! I can't wait to make that cake for the next family gathering.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Peg - this is great fun!
DeleteOkay, it's 7 a.m. and I want cake! Sounds delicious. The books are so much fun, love the settings. And audio books are great for walks and to make exercise almost bearable. Thanks for the giveaway.
ReplyDeletesallycootie@gmail.com
Thanks! I love writing about England ... and doing the research!
DeleteI'm drooling over that chocolate cake recipe! May I go off my diet and make it???
ReplyDeletesuefarrell.farrell@gmail.com
Chocolate is an important component of any diet!
DeleteI'm possibly the only person that doesn't eat chocolate cake. But I do love books. I'd love to give your audiobook a listen.
ReplyDeletelkish77123 at gmail dot com
Feel free to amaze your friends by passing the recipe on to them!
DeleteWelcome to the Kitchen, Marty -- we're always happy to introduce readers to a writer they might not know. Your books sound delightful. And, of course, cake.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Leslie - this is an august group!
DeleteMy mouth is watering -- Nuala's Chocolate Cake looks amazing, and not to hard to make! I am definitely picking up a copy of your Birds of a Feather mysteries. Thanks so much for sharing your recipe and for the opportunity to win an audiobook of The Garden Plot.
ReplyDeleteThanks! Be sure to post a comment with your email to enter.
DeleteOh my goodness. I'm not a chocoholic but that cake is calling to me! I am going to have to find your books to read. I like the premise of transplanted American.
ReplyDeleteThanks! Especially in The Garden Plot, Pru makes a few missteps with the language - I had great fun with that.
DeleteAs a gardener, I'd enjoy reading a series where gardening is frequently mentioned. The chocolate cake recipe looks devine. Thanks for the giveaway. dbahn@iw.net
ReplyDeleteIn the Potting Shed mysteries, all plants and garden info is accurate! That's one thing I would never mess up. (And in the Birds of a Feather mysteries, all bird info is correct!)
DeleteWhat a delectable cake. I would savor every bite. Your books are a pleasure to enjoy greatly. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com
ReplyDeleteThanks so much!
DeleteThe cake sounds delightful. Now, if I can just find someone to bake it for my birthday on Friday!
ReplyDeletecozyupwithkathy @ gmail dot com
You could shop for all the ingredients and leave them at a friend's doorstep (with the recipe)!
DeleteOh, man!! That cake looks wonderful. I may have to actually bake something...if I can remember how. ����
ReplyDeletepmettert@yahoo.com
It's worth it!
DeleteThat cake looks delicious!!! Now I have to try to make it! Donamaekutska7@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteI'd go with the dark chocolate chips if I were you - no chopping involved!
DeleteI need a new series to read and this sounds perfect. Josteioff@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteHope you enjoy both series!
DeleteI am going to have to make that cake ! I listen to audio books daily so this would be wonderful to win ! kathambre@yahoo.com
ReplyDeleteI like to listen while cooking - although I have to pause and listen in exciting parts.
DeleteThe cake looks delicious, I'll try the recipe soon. I love audiobooks for my long drives to work. Thanks for the contest, lilflynracer at msn.com
ReplyDeletePerfect for the commute!
DeleteAmy, I love audiobooks as well for my drive to work!!Nothing like listening to a good mystery before parking the car and heading into work!! Thank you Marty for this opportunity!! Whoever is picked will certainly enjoy it!! garyp1@comcast.net
ReplyDeleteDo you ever take the long way when you're at an exciting point?
DeleteSounds like a good book, right up my alley!
ReplyDeleteDigicats {at} Sbcglobal {dot} Net
Good luck!
DeleteSounds like a great book! Zeta at iwon dot com
ReplyDeleteThanks!
DeleteLove your mysteries. I've read this one in this giveaway, but an audio book of this would be fantastic. Thanks for the opportunity to win it. Sharon Maher irish9795@hotmail.com
ReplyDeleteThanks! I'm so pleased with the audio versions (even though it makes me nervous to listen).
DeleteThe books sound very good! So does the cake!
ReplyDeleteElaineE246 at msn dot com
Well, I know for sure the cake is - and I sincerely hope the books are!
DeleteThis looks like a great book and recipe. I love audio books and they help my travels go faster. centraleast2 at gmail dot com
ReplyDeleteIt's lovely to be taken away listening to an audio book while the miles zoom by!
DeleteLove love LOVE Gardening Cozies & that cake sounds Fab!
ReplyDeleteCheers-
Kelly Braun
Gaelicark@yahoo.com
Gardening and ancient Roman ruins in the same book!
DeleteChocolate cake looks amazing and so does the book. Looking forward to reading.
ReplyDeleteWould love to win and the cake looks devine!
ReplyDeleteLove the cake recipe! I'm kindle reader since rarely in car to listen to audiobooks. But your books great any format! bckey76@comcast.net
ReplyDelete