Chocolate cake is a type of cake made mainly from chocolate, eggs, and flour. Chocolate cake is commonly served at birthday parties and weddings and is one of the most common desserts. There are many types of chocolate cakes, suitable for people of all ages.
Chocolate cake originated in Mexico. Chocolate, which has long been considered a "happy food" by people in western countries, contains a variety of polyphenols, which are also found in fruits, vegetables, and tea and have many health benefits.
Additionally, chocolate is a happiness inducer. Phenylethylamine in chocolate can help regulate mood and bring good feelings.
The reason why dark chocolate is beneficial is that cocoa powder, which is used to produce chocolate, contains a bitter substance called "flavonols." It is an excellent antioxidant that has the effect of preventing heart disease and cancer.
Its antioxidant power is three times that of milk chocolate and four times that of red tea. The darker the chocolate, the more flavonols it contains, although it may taste a bit bitter.
On the other hand, all chocolates contain a significant amount of fat, sugar, and calories. Excessive consumption of chocolate can also have some adverse effects on health. Therefore, even when consuming dark chocolate, it is essential to eat it in moderation.
Here is a simple recipe for making a chocolate cake:
Ingredients: 1 cup butter, 2 cups granulated sugar, 4 eggs, 1.5 cups flour, 1 cup cocoa powder, 2 teaspoons baking powder, 1 teaspoon baking soda, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1 cup milk, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract.
1. Soften the butter at room temperature.
2. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175 degrees Celsius).
3. In a large bowl, mix the butter and sugar until smooth. You can use a hand mixer or an electric mixer.
4. Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition.
5. In another bowl, mix the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
6. Gradually add the dry mixture to the butter and sugar mixture while adding milk and vanilla extract, stirring constantly until well mixed.
7. Pour the batter into a greased baking pan.
8. Bake the cake in the oven for about 35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean.
9. Remove the cake from the pan and place it on a rack to cool.
The chocolate cake is now ready! You can sprinkle some cocoa powder or powdered sugar for decoration, or spread chocolate sauce or whipped cream on the surface of the cake to make it even more delicious.
A 100-gram piece of chocolate contains about 550 calories. In contrast, the cake is mainly made from self-made flour, eggs, and butter. Comparing the calorie content, the cake has 347 calories per 100 grams, which is less than that of chocolate.
