Yesterday was Mr Di-licious' birthday. But not any ordinary birthday, the big 4-0.
Sadly for him he is in the middle of exams and unable to celebrate in the way he would like. So last night it was a simple acknowledgement - Beef Bourguinon, a special bottle of Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon (2004 Ladbroke Grove Killian) and cake.
Mr Di-licious has some eclectic tastes: country music, two earl grey tea bags per cup and last but not least, chocolate cake and lemon icing.
So inspired by Sweetapolita, I produced a chocolate layer cake, filled and covered in lemon buttercream and drizzled over with a puddle of chocolate ganache.
Since it was only the three of us I made a tiny six inch cake. And you know what? Six inches was plenty! The cake is very sweet so a small slice is all you really need.
I used my favourite chocolate cake recipe (I promise to share it with you one day!) and made a simple buttercream flavoured with lemon juice and zest.
After torting and covering the cake I let the buttercream set properly in the fridge before heating up the ganche to pouring consistency. This stops the warm ganache melting the buttercream when you pour it over.
It's certainly not as pretty as Sweetapolita's version and one day I will attempt Swiss Meringue Buttercream, but in Olive's words, "this is one yummy cake Mummy!"
And before you feel a little sorry for him, there are two birthday celebrations planned for the next two weekends, which means two more cakes. So I guess he'll get to have his cake and eat it over, and over, and over again.
Happy birthday darling - you are the butter to my bread, the breath to my life xxx
(with apologies to Paul Child)
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Anne @ Domesblissity