cheryl day chocolate cake recipe

Olvin

3 min read

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24-01-2025

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Cheryl Day, the celebrated pastry chef and owner of the renowned Back in the Day Bakery in Savannah, Georgia, is known for her rustic yet refined approach to baking. Her recipes are less about precise measurements and more about understanding the fundamentals of baking, resulting in consistently delicious results. This adaptation of her famous chocolate cake recipe emphasizes that approach, focusing on the techniques that make this cake so special. It's a recipe that will become a staple in your baking repertoire, perfect for birthdays, celebrations, or simply satisfying a serious chocolate craving.

Understanding the Ingredients: The Key to Cheryl Day's Success

Before we dive into the recipe itself, let's understand what makes Cheryl Day's chocolate cake so exceptional. It's not just about the ingredients; it's about the quality of the ingredients and the careful attention paid to each step.

• High-Quality Cocoa Powder: The foundation of any great chocolate cake is the cocoa powder. Cheryl likely uses a high-quality Dutch-processed cocoa powder for its rich, deep flavor and darker color. Don't skimp here; the difference is noticeable.

• Buttermilk: Buttermilk adds a delightful tang and moisture to the cake, contributing to its tender crumb. If you don't have buttermilk on hand, you can easily make a substitute by adding 1 tablespoon of white vinegar or lemon juice to 1 cup of milk. Let it sit for 5-10 minutes before using.

• Sour Cream: Similar to buttermilk, sour cream adds moisture and richness. It also helps to create a tender crumb, preventing the cake from becoming dry.

• Good Quality Chocolate: While not explicitly detailed in most adaptations of her recipe, using a high-quality bittersweet or dark chocolate (chopped finely) adds depth and complexity to the flavor profile.

Cheryl Day's Chocolate Cake Recipe (Adapted)

This recipe is an interpretation based on the style and principles of Cheryl Day's baking. While specific measurements may vary slightly depending on the source, the core techniques remain consistent.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups (250g) all-purpose flour
• 2 cups (400g) granulated sugar
• ¾ cup (60g) unsweetened cocoa powder (Dutch-processed preferred)
• 1 ½ teaspoons baking soda
• 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup (240ml) buttermilk
• ½ cup (120ml) vegetable oil
• 2 large eggs
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1 cup (240ml) freshly brewed hot coffee

Instructions:

1. Preheat & Prep: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans. You can also line the bottom with parchment paper for easy removal.

2. Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.

3. Wet Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the buttermilk, oil, eggs, and vanilla extract.

4. Combine: Gradually add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients, mixing on low speed until just combined. Be careful not to overmix.

5. Coffee Infusion: Gradually add the hot coffee to the batter, mixing until smooth. The coffee enhances the chocolate flavor significantly.

6. Bake: Divide the batter evenly between the prepared cake pans. Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until a wooden skewer inserted into the center comes out clean.

7. Cool: Let the cakes cool in the pans for 10 minutes before inverting them onto a wire rack to cool completely.

Frosting (Suggestions)

Cheryl Day often uses simpler frostings that complement her cakes without overpowering them. Consider these options:

• Cream Cheese Frosting: A classic pairing with chocolate cake. The tanginess cuts through the richness of the chocolate.
• Chocolate Ganache: A rich and decadent frosting made with chocolate and cream.
• Simple Buttercream: A versatile frosting that can be easily customized with cocoa powder or chocolate extract.

Tips for Success

• Room Temperature Ingredients: Using room temperature ingredients helps ensure even mixing and baking.
• Don't Overmix: Overmixing the batter can lead to a tough cake. Mix only until the ingredients are just combined.
• Check for Doneness: Start checking for doneness around the 30-minute mark to avoid overbaking.

This adapted recipe captures the spirit of Cheryl Day's baking philosophy—simple ingredients, carefully executed techniques, and a focus on quality—resulting in a truly exceptional chocolate cake. Enjoy!