I have somehow become family cook and baker. Somehow. Who am I kidding? I manoeuvred in and took over from my mother when I moved out of home starting with hosting Christmas three years ago. I love to cook. I love to bake. But never alone or for myself. I think, had I discovered this love around the ages of 17 or 18, I may have pursued it as a career but at 31, I am too old to launch myself into a career that involves many years of paying your dues with breakfast or dinner shifts (or both). I’ve worked these hours as a waitress and bartender for the best part of the last 10 years and don’t care to do it for another 10 years.
Chocolate and Orange Cake -
225g softened, unsalted butter
225g self raising flour
225g caster sugar
4 eggs
4 teaspoons of orange juice
1 teaspoon orange zest
1 teaspoon baking powder
4 tablespoons of cocoa powder
1 cup of cream, whipped.
Throw it all in a bowl and mix with an electric mixer until smooth. Bake at 175 c for 40 mins. Cool on rack. When cold, whip cream add a few drops of orange juice or essence, cut cake in half and pile it on! Replace top and cover in milk chocolate icing. This is a lazy girls guide so I used pre-made icing available from the baking section of the supermarket. Decorate or eat or both.
