Il Cucinologo
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Naked Chocolate Cake

17/11/2023

The Chocolate Naked Cake is a “naked” cake, characterized by its clearly visible layers of sponge cake and cream, without an external covering like icing over the entire surface. Here’s how to make a simple version.

Ingredients

  • 250 g 00 flour
  • 50 g unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 200 g granulated sugar
  • 4 eggs
  • 100 ml vegetable oil
  • 100 ml milk
  • 1 packet baking powder
  • 1 pinch of salt

For the cream:

  • 500 g mascarpone
  • 100 g powdered sugar
  • 200 ml heavy cream

Preparation

  1. Preheat the oven to 180 °C and prepare two or three round cake pans, greasing and flouring them or lining them with parchment paper.
  2. In a bowl, sift the flour with the cocoa, baking powder, and pinch of salt.
  3. In another bowl, beat the eggs with the granulated sugar until light and frothy.
  4. Add the oil and milk to the eggs and continue mixing.
  5. Incorporate the sifted dry ingredients, mixing gently until you obtain a homogeneous batter.
  6. Divide the batter evenly among the prepared pans and bake for about 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
  7. Once baked, remove the sponge cakes from the oven and let them cool completely on a wire rack.

For the cream: 8. Whip the heavy cream until firm. 9. In another container, beat the mascarpone with the powdered sugar, then gently fold in the whipped cream without deflating it.

Assembly: 10. Level the sponge cake layers if necessary. Place the first sponge cake layer on a plate and spread an even layer of cream. 11. Top with the second sponge cake layer and repeat with the cream. Continue with all layers. 12. Once assembled, spread a light layer of cream on the sides as well to give the typical “naked” look to the Naked Cake. 13. You can decorate with fresh fruit, dust with cocoa powder, or leave it plain.

Trivia

The Naked Cake trend has spread widely in the world of modern pastry, particularly at weddings and special occasions, for their rustic yet elegant appearance. Their “nudity” reveals all the goodness of the internal layers, without hiding them under a layer of icing or fondant.