Anne of Cleves was a 16th century queen of England who is perhaps most famous for her marriage to King Henry VIII. While the marriage did not last long, Queen Anne’s legacy lives on in the form of a delicious cake recipe.
1/2cuphigh-quality vegetable oilproviding a subtle depth of flavor
2cupshigh-quality all-purpose flourensuring a tender crumb
1cuphotfreshly brewed coffee (to enhance the richness of chocolate)
1.5tspbaking powderensuring a light and airy rise
2tbspbaking sodacontributing to the cake’s leavening process
1/2teaspoonsaltto balance the sweetness and enhance other flavors
1cuppremium cocoa powderfor an intense chocolate flavor
1/2cuppacked light brown sugarfor a caramel-like sweetness
1/2cupunsalted butterfor a rich and buttery taste
1cupwhole milkfor a creamy and luscious consistency
1/2cupindulgent sour creamproviding a tangy and velvety touch
1tbsppure vanilla extractadding a warm and aromatic undertone
1cupfine granulated sugarfor sweetness and moisture
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and prepare a round cake pan by greasing it with butter or non-stick spray.
In a mixing bowl, beat together 3 eggs and 1/2 cup of vegetable oil until well combined.
Gradually add in 2 cups of all-purpose flour, mixing well after each addition.
Slowly pour in 1 cup of hot coffee while stirring the batter continuously.
Add in 1 1/2 tsp of baking powder, 2 tbsp of baking soda, and 1/2 tsp of salt, mixing well until all the ingredients are fully incorporated.
Next, add in 1 cup of premium cocoa powder and mix until it forms a smooth batter.
In a separate bowl, cream together 1/2 cup of light brown sugar and 1/2 cup of unsalted butter until light and fluffy.
Gradually add in 1 cup of fine granulated sugar, mixing well after each addition.
Slowly pour in 1 cup of whole milk and mix until fully combined.
Add in 1/2 cup of sour cream and 1 tbsp of pure vanilla extract to the mixture, stirring until everything is well incorporated.
Pour the wet ingredients into the bowl of dry ingredients and mix until a smooth cake batter forms.
Pour the batter into the prepared cake pan and bake for 35-40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
Let the cake cool in the pan for 10 minutes before removing it from the pan and placing it on a wire rack to cool completely.
Once the cake has cooled, dust it with icing sugar and serve with fresh berries or a dollop of cream on top. Enjoy!
Notes
• Use room temperature ingredients for best results.• If the cake starts to brown too quickly, loosely cover the top with a piece of aluminium foil.• Keep an eye on the cake while it is baking and check it often.• Use a skewer or toothpick to check if the cake is done; if it comes out clean, the cake is ready.• Let the cake cool completely before turning out onto a wire rack.• Store the cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.