Cake in a Jar : Chocolate Cake with Milk Crumbs

I have a perfect recipe for when you want to be a little fancy with presentation or want to make a desert that transports well or just want both.

These cake jars are incredibly delicious with dark notes of rich chocolate and the salty undertones from the crunchy milk crumbs. Its a perfect balance of texture, taste and glamour - pleases your eyes and your palate at the same time.

Its a great dessert to gift to someone special or to pack for a picnic outdoors. Be sure to make extras because they do fly fast.

Yield : 3 Cake Jars (3" diameter, 3" height)

Note: The cake jars I used were 3 inch in diameter and 3 inch in height. Also, I had 2 layers of cake, frosting and crumbs in each jar. You may end up with less or more depending on the size of the jars you use and the layers per jar.

Cake Jars - 3  

Chocolate Cake

Ingredients

1/4 + 1/8 heaped cup all-purpose flour

1/8 cup cocoa powder

1/2 tsp baking soda

1/2 cup sugar

2 1/2 heaped tbs butter

1 small egg

3 tbsp strong brewed coffee

1/8 tsp vanilla extract

3 tbs cream

Pinch of salt

How To

Mix together the flour, cocoa powder, salt and baking soda.

In a separate bowl mix together the cream and coffee.

Beat the sugar and butter in a large bowl till well combined.

Add the egg and vanilla extract and beat till it is light and creamy.

Fold the flour and cream mixture alternately till well combined. Take care not to over mix.

Transfer to a 4 inch cake tin and bake in a pre-heated oven at 180 degree Celsius for 25-30 mins or until done.

Once cooled slightly, remove the cake from the cake tin and cool completely on a wire rack.

Once cool cut into circles using a cookie cutter such that it fits into your jars. I had 2 layers of cake per jar. (I made the 3rd jar using cake scraps)

Chocolate Ganache

Ingredients

1 cup dark chocolate cut into small pieces

1/2 cup heavy cream

How To

Heat the cream and chocolate in a double boiler till all the chocolate pieces are completely melted.

Set aside to cool.

Whip the ganache using an electric whisk till stiff. Add powdered sugar if needed (in case you like it sweeter).

Transfer to a piping bag and keep aside.

Milk Crumbs (inspired by Milk Bar recipe by Christina Tosi)

Ingredients

3/4 cup evaporated milk (milk powder)
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
2 tbs cornstarch
2 tbs castor sugar
3/4 tsp salt
6 tbs unsalted butter, melted
Few drops of Vanilla extract

PS: This is not an exact recipe of the milk crumbs from Milk Bar. It is my  interpretation of the crumbs

How to

Mix all the dry ingredients well in a bowl.

Add the melted butter and using a fork work the butter into the dry mixture roughly so that small balls are formed (much like a pastry dough).

Bake in a pre-heated oven at 130 degree Celsius for 12-15 minutes till the crumbs are light brown.

Once cool, transfer to an air-tight container and keep aside.

Assembly

Pretty easy:

I like to begin with a little bit of chocolate frosting at the base of the jar.

Cake goes in next, followed by a layer of chocolate frosting and milk crumbs.

Repeat once again.

Top off with chocolate chips (totally optional).

Devour first, thank me later!