What Dad doesn’t dote on cake?

Father's Day Cake

And what Dad doesn’t dote on cake made specially for him by one of his children, even if it is a little lumpy?
Some dads, needless to say, can get too much of a good thing.  When we were young, my three sisters and I spent many Sundays baking cakes and biscuits. Our Dad was the guinea pig.
Chocolate cakes seemed to be our specialty (probably because the mixture tasted so good!).  By the time we had grown up, he’d been offered hundreds of different versions. These days it takes a lot of convincing to get him to take even one slice of chocolate cake.
There are those who criticise the commercialisation of Father’s Day, claiming it is yet another excuse for a feast of consumerism and sticky, sickly sentiments.  But what father can resist something freshly baked – and just for him?
Most Dads love anything made with chocolate. Brownies are a always a hit, and you’ll find a recipe for white chocolate brownies (opposite) which are very sweet and irresistible.
Quick mix cakes are easier for children to make. Below are two versions which kids can make (with a little help from mum, depending on their age and stage): in the first version, you start the cake by combining the first seven ingredients together in a saucepan, then adding the sifted dry ingredients and pouring into a cake tin; in the second you put all the ingredients together into a mixing bowl, add the cooled melted butter, and beat them together.  It’s important that your eggs and butter are at room temperature before you begin and that you remember to preheat the oven. Sit the cake on the middle rack in your oven and test to see if it’s cooked by inserting a skewer in the centre – if it comes out clean, remove it from the oven. If you follow these rules you’ll have success – and a happy Dad!

Boiled Chocolate and Raisin Cake

This cake is a marvel – surprisingly luscious and moist given that the ingredients and method are so simple.  Do make sure to dissolve the soda properly.

375ml water
150g raisins
250g unsalted butter
250g sugar
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
30g good quality cocoa
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon bi-carbonate soda
60ml boiling water
250g plain flour, sifted

Preheat oven to moderate (180degC/160degC Fan forced).  Grease and line a 23cm round cake tin.
Put the first seven ingredients into a medium heavy bottomed saucepan.  Stir together well, bring to the boil and simmer for five minutes.  Remove from heat and allow to cool.
When mixture has cooled, dissolve soda in the boiling water and add to the saucepan along with the flour.  Stir with a wooden spoon to combine well then pour into prepared cake tin.  Smooth the top.
Bake 40 – 50 minutes of until a skewer inserted in the centre comes out clean.
Dust lightly with cocoa or icing sugar before serving.

Tip: try 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves mixed with 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon for a change of spice.

Quick-Mix Chocolate Cake

If you have a bundt tin (a fluted tin with a hole in the centre, similar to a kugelhopf, us it to make the cake look more festive.

180g unsalted butter
250g self-raising flour, sifted
400g sugar
50g cocoa powder, sifted
4 eggs
250ml milk
1 teaspoon vanilla

Preheat oven to 180degC (160 Fan Forced).  Grease and line a 23cm round cake tin or brush a 26cm bundt tin with melted butter (or use cooking spray).
Melt the butter in a saucepan. Set aside to cool.  Put remaining ingredients into a mixing bowl and pour the melted butter over the top.  Beat well for three minutes.
Pour mixture into prepared tin and bake 4- 45 minutes (test for doneness with a skewer). Leave in tin for ten minutes before turning out.  Ice with fudge icing and cover with flaked coconut or chopped nuts.

Chocolate Fudge Icing:
150g dark or milk chocolate, chopped
90g unsalted butter
125ml condensed milk

Place all the ingredients in a pan, and place over low heat, stirring until chocolate and butter are melted.  Stir well to combine, set aside to cool until thick (a spatula or knife dipped in hot water, then wiped dry, will make this easier).

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