Holiday

Nigella Lawson's Dense Chocolate Loaf Cake

December 12, 2012

Every week -- often with your help -- FOOD52's Senior Editor Kristen Miglore is unearthing recipes that are nothing short of genius.

Every day till Christmas, we're bringing you 12 Days of Baking: 12 all-new baking recipes to lift holiday spirits -- from breakfast pastries to dinner rolls, and all the desserts you can handle.

Today: The chocolate cake you'll want on hand all through the holidays.

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As we've discussed, the holidays call for cakes to be lying "around" -- for the roaming family members who must be kept happy and quiet between mealtimes; for the neighbors who swoop in unannounced; for you.

You might think a colorful stollen or musky gingerbread would be appropriate as Christmas creeps closer, but let's be real: chocolate is what the people want. And it's definitely what you want.

More specifically, what you want is Nigella Lawson's Dense Chocolate Loaf Cake. It's not a layer cake nor some molten lava thing -- it's a chocolate cake that's full of nuance and personality, damp and pudding-like within, with caramelly crisp edges. It isn't quite like anything else.

Lawson explains that, when developing the recipes for How to Be A Domestic Goddess, "I remember very strongly wanting to create what we call a loaf cake -- and what is generally called a pound cake Stateside -- that had a richness and squidginess of texture that this form of cake normally doesn't major in." 

nigella lawson 

Where most loaf cakes are domed, sturdy, and evenly crumbed, this one is slumped and definitively squidgy (from the British, meaning "soft, spongy, and moist", not the American "unpleasantly damp; clammy" -- I think we've lost our way on this one).

So what is it that makes it so squidgy? First of all, a generous amount of dark brown sugar instead of white, which arms the cake with loads of moisture. Lawson adds, "In Britain we make it even treaclier by using dark muscovado sugar." (Treaclier!)

There is also the rather unusual step of starting with creamed soft butter and brown sugar and ending with spoonfuls of boiling water interspersed with leavened flour, leaving a surprisingly runny batter. It is this creaming and partially melting process that makes the final product resemble a cake, a steamed pudding, and a fudgy brownie all at once.

  

It also causes this cake to collapse in a slightly different way every time you bake it. Embrace it: it's this collapse gives the cake its glorious denseness. If you're concerned by the looks of it (Heidi Swanson nicknamed her spelt-based version Chocolate Ugly Cake), you can distract with crème fraîche, whipped cream, or cold cream cheese, the way Lawson likes it.  

But really, just tell any doubters that Nigella Lawson, Domestic Goddess, says it's meant to look like that -- "This is the way of the loaf," she croons -- then feed them a slice, and see if you hear another peep out of them.

Nigella Lawson's Dense Chocolate Loaf Cake

Recipe adapted very slightly from How to Be A Domestic Goddess (Hyperion, 2005)

Makes 8-10 slices

1 cup soft unsalted butter
1 2/3 cups dark brown sugar
2 large eggs, beaten
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
4 ounces best bittersweet chocolate, melted
1 1/3 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 cup plus 2 tablespoons boiling water
9- by 5-inch loaf pan

See the full recipe (and save and print it) here.

 

Got a genius recipe to share -- from a classic cookbook, an online source, or anywhere, really? Please send it my way (and tell me what's so smart about it) at [email protected].

Photos by James Ransom (except Nigella Lawson by Jay Brooks for the Guardian)

 

 

 

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I'm an ex-economist, lifelong-Californian who moved to New York to work in food media in 2007, before returning to the land of Dutch Crunch bread and tri-tip barbecues in 2020. Dodgy career choices aside, I can't help but apply the rational tendencies of my former life to things like: recipe tweaking, digging up obscure facts about pizza, and deciding how many pastries to put in my purse for "later."

44 Comments

Kitspy February 1, 2016
This cake is so good. I'm eating it now. Dense is the right way to describe it, in a very good, very soft way. I made it yesterday. It is still great the day you make it, but the chocolate flavor is a bit stronger the second day. I took the suggestion of substituting 1/3 c of the flour for cocoa, and because I didn't have any parchment to line the pan, I buttered it well and dusted it with cocoa. It de-panned just fine. I also used a 10" x 6" pan and all the batter fit with the required 1" of space at the top. I meant to add salt, but I forgot because it was late, and I just wanted cake ASAP. I will probably do it next time, but regret nothing about this cake.
 
Fabiola F. November 13, 2015
What can I substitute the butter for. My daughter is allergic to dairy, but she loves chocolate. I am always looking for diary free desserts, specially chocolate one! Thank you
 
Kat December 4, 2014
I've made this cake on numerous occasions to family and friends and it is a clear favourite amongst many. The domestic goddess does it again.
 
vbak April 17, 2014
I have made this cake several times, and everyone loved it. I make a chocolate mint ganache to pour over it. Fabulous!
 
samanthaalison February 15, 2014
I loved the moistness, but I'd definitely tweak next time. I think using unsweetened chocolate, and a little more than called for, would improve it. I'd also add a pinch of salt.
 
AppleA August 29, 2013
I made this cake yesterday--first of all, the estimated baking time is too long. Second, who makes a cake batter without salt and who makes a chocolate cake without coffee or espresso? Weird. This just confirms I am not in love with Nigella Lawson recipes. I even added cocoa powder because I felt like the cake was not chocolatey enough when tasting the batter while mixing. The cake was tender, but actually fell apart quite easily as opposed to staying in slices. Maybe just not my bag. Will try to find a better recipe for my chocolate fix.
 
chankari February 3, 2013
I made this cake yesterday and had my first taste today. It's not a super chocolate-y cake, but it is so very good. I made it according the instructions except I used salted butter and muscovado sugar. I was a bit worried because of the comments and fretted about whether I should add coffee. But seeing that it was -12 out and snowing, I used what I had on hand (i.e. water). The cake came out beautifully - and the texture was the best part - lighter than a brownie, but moist like a cake. I think I over baked it a bit. My friend commented that the gooey slightly under-baked parts were the best (I added about 6-7 minutes because my skewer kept coming out totally wet, I would stick with the recommended baking time). Just as a side note, I packed my sugar (not super packed, but I gave it a nice firm push) and used 71% chocolate. Serve it with slightly sweetened whipped cream and some preserves (blackcurrant) leftover from the cheese course. Definitely worthy of the genius recipe title!
 
Moayad A. February 2, 2013
nice
 
udith3 January 31, 2013
Looks wonderful,,, must try it,, maybe today~~~
 
sffoodie52 January 21, 2013
I made this cake for the first time yesterday (my first Nigella Lawson recipe), and I must say I was skeptical about how it would turn out. The hot water thing made me nervous but I persevered. And, voila, a delicious cake, just as described! One thing I was unsure about: did you all "pack" your brown sugar like most baking recipes say with brown sugar? I wasn't sure, so I packed the first cup but didn't with the remaining 2/3 cup. The cake wasn't overly sweet (which was fine), so I will try packing all the sugar next time. Oh, I used 72% dark chocolate. Very good. Love the Genius Recipes Feature! Thank you.
 
Jukesgrrl January 2, 2013
I made the recipe exactly as written, as I always do on a first-go. I, too, was puzzled by the lack of salt, but I didn't miss it afterward. I made this for my brother's birthday and after it sat around waiting for a day, I was troubled by the modestly of its appearance. It didn't LOOK like a birthday cake. So I made a quick trip to the local Baskin-Robbins for a quart of my bro's livelong favorite ice cream, Gold Medal Ribbon (yeah, I know). To look festive, I put the cake on a rectangular platter, added a row of tall candles to the top, and piped some whipped cream around the base. After the birthday song, I put a slice of cake on each plate and added a scoop of the ice cream. The family acted as if I passed around plates of diamonds. Everyone loved the cake and it turned out to be sturdy enough to hold up to a utilitarian ice cream, as traditional birthday cakes often aren't. And since the cake didn't have icing, the entire effect wasn't overly sweet, but even the younger guests loved it. I had sliced off the ends of the cake before serving and kept them aside to try later. In the fuss of Christmas, I forgot all about the leftover and didn't get around to eating it until SIX days later. It tasted exactly the same as it did as a day-old cake, so the claims of moistness are not overrated. I'll make this again. If someone wants a slightly more elegant cake and ice cream effect, you might try a scoop of top-quality vanilla and drizzle the entire thing with caramel sauce. Thanks, Nigella and Food 52.
 
Carolrossartist December 30, 2012
What size loaf pan.
 
_alyssa December 26, 2012
I made this and it was *almost* perfect. Did anyone else miss the salt? Adding it next time, or maybe ill just use salted butter.
 
fiveandspice December 26, 2012
I doubled the chocolate...and found my platonic ideal for cake. Perfection!
 
Loving C. December 25, 2012
As a bartender I always try to find a way of adding some form of beverage to whatever I make, be it boozie or none, I steeped two earl grey tea bags in the hot water to add that lovely bergamot scent, its always done me proud in chocolate truffles so I figured why not give it a whirl. Its tasty and Nigella is my hero, am trying jasmine green tea or instant espresso with cardamom next time.
 
Jukesgrrl January 2, 2013
What a great idea! I'll try it.
 
darksideofthespoon December 23, 2012
I'm 100% sure your loaf turned out that way because of the milk fat. I've used Valrhona LOTS and have seen that happen when a lower % chocolate was used. Trays of brownies turning into expensive greasy mush is heartbreaking. Their 72% chocolate is my chocolate go to for baking.
 
srcerer December 23, 2012
I am curious about what chocolate and butter people used. I did triple the chocolate using 6oz Valrhona 55% Equitoriale and 6oz Valrhona 64% Manjari. I also used Plugra because it was all I got. Needless to say I had a volcanic eruption - I'm sure it had to do with the high butter fat. (It could be I had to cream the butter/sugar longer so it didn't break as much.) I ended up baking it longer so it would solidify. Although the appearance and structure didn't hold up as nice, it tastes great. And is made even better with the tang of cream cheese. I was surprised there was no salt added and ended up sprinkling some good finishing salt on it . Lovely. I will try this again with different butter and possibly different/less chocolate and am curious what others are using.
 
Marian B. December 22, 2012
I am making this tonight in anticipation of my parents' arrival tomorrow. i cannot wait to try it!
 
King O. December 21, 2012
Nigella is INDEED a Goddess.
 
barr December 17, 2012
I have made this many, many times and it is FANTASTIC. The best chocolate flavor. Dense and wonderful. One of our family faves.
 
zora December 16, 2012
I'm curious. Just looking at the recipe, I can't figure out where the source of acid is for the baking soda used as the sole source of leavening.
 
Kristen M. December 16, 2012
Great question -- brown sugar and chocolate are both acidic, so I'd credit them.
 
kathy P. December 16, 2012
Also Kristen, best way to store it, covered, in the fridge or however you think best.
 
Kristen M. December 16, 2012
Covered tightly on the countertop is fine for a few days, but it also tastes great out of the fridge.
 
kathy P. December 16, 2012
Could you tell me if this is bleached or unbleached flour, not backing that often, I'm not sure which is correct. This looks great, I will try it, Thanks
 
Kristen M. December 16, 2012
We used unbleached, but I think you could use whatever all-purpose flour you have.
 
kimikoftokyo December 16, 2012
love love love nigella i make a lot of her food its so easy and simple and fits in my busy life.
 
kapnic December 16, 2012
made it last night and just sliced into the end to see how it came out. so super yummy, i can't believe it is so easy and so good. i did bake it a bit longer than directed because it seemed quite wet in the center.
 
bella S. December 13, 2012
Has anyone tried this in a small bundt pan?
 
aargersi December 13, 2012
Squidgy. Squidgy squidgy squidgy. Well that's just fun! And now - to bake ...
 
Burf December 12, 2012
So delicious. I'll bet it would have been great to let it sit in the pan a whole day, but that was impossible. Also, I boiled leftover coffee in lieu of the water. Fantastic!
 
HalfPint December 12, 2012
I'll bet it's nice and squidgy. It sounds similar to the Hershey's perfect chocolate cake technique of adding boiling water at the end to make a really thin batter which bakes up to a really tender and moist (squidgy) cake. I am so making this.
 
Midge December 12, 2012
I think I made this cake once a week when I first got DG. Love how the brown sugar gives it a caramelly richness. Might be time to make it again. Thanks for digging it up!
 
amysarah December 12, 2012
This has been one of my 'go-to' dinner party desserts for several years - simple, the flavor actually improves if you make it ahead, and it's somehow homey and elegant at the same time. (I usually serve it with vanilla or coffee ice cream on top.) Nobody has ever not loved it.
 
la D. December 12, 2012
I've been baking this cake for a couple of years, and I absolutely adore it! The recipe is easy and foolproof, which is nice because baking at high altitude can be tricky (I'm in Colorado). I bring the loaf cake to potlucks and tea parties- it's always a big hit.
 
Nozlee S. December 12, 2012
This is my all-time favorite chocolate cake -- I made it twice last week, once for a potluck and once just to snack on at home! It halves well, and I've made it in a 6" springform as well as a loaf pan. Also I agree with Heidi of 101 Cookbooks: the cake is a million times better on the second day, so plan ahead if you can bear it!
 
drbabs December 12, 2012
oh, good lord, if I weren't working today, I'd be home baking this treasure.
 
mrslarkin December 12, 2012
oh my goodness. yum.

I realize this is a ridiculous question, but does it keep well? And can you freeze it?
 
Kristen M. December 12, 2012
It does keep well. It's one of those cakes that defies staling (because of all the brown sugar, I think). Haven't tried freezing it yet though -- it doesn't stick around long enough!
 
la D. December 12, 2012
I agree with Kristen. I can testify this cake is super moist and will last a week, getting better every day!
 
darksideofthespoon December 12, 2012
The link takes me to the genius hot sauce recipe... which sounds nice, but I want chocolate! :)
 
Marian B. December 12, 2012
The link has been fixed! Bake on!
 
aeisenhowerturnbull December 12, 2012
I think the link is wrong... looking forward to seeing the recipe and a slideshow (hopefully! they're my favorite!)