Cake for St. Nicholas

Fast for St. Nicholas - A Flavorful Delight

The night of St. Nicholas is approaching, and we all want to bring a smile to the faces of our loved ones. Why not start the celebration with a fasting cake that combines the flavors of orange and chocolate, perfect for any sweet lover? This simple and quick recipe promises to be a true treat, both for the little ones and the grown-ups. The total preparation time is about 1 hour, and this recipe will yield 12 delicious servings.

Ingredients:
- 200 g margarine
- 200 g sugar
- 2 cups water
- Zest of one orange
- 1 vanilla essence
- 1 packet baking powder
- 33 tablespoons (approximately 420 g) white flour
- 3 heaping tablespoons plum jam
- 100 g dark chocolate
- 0.5 tablespoon margarine (for glazing)
- 1 packet instant coffee
- Colored candies (for decoration)
- Coconut (for decoration)

Instructions:

1. Preparing the dough:
In a large bowl, add 200 g of margarine and 200 g of sugar. Use a mixer to beat the ingredients until you achieve a fluffy and homogeneous foam. This step is essential to ensure a light and airy cake.

2. Adding flavors:
Continue by adding the grated orange zest, vanilla essence, and baking powder. Mix again to integrate the flavors. The orange zest will add a fresh and invigorating fragrance to the cake, perfect for the holiday season.

3. Incorporating liquids:
Gradually add the 2 cups of water, mixing with a whisk. Then, incorporate the flour, one tablespoon at a time, mixing carefully to avoid lumps. It is important not to overmix the dough to preserve its texture.

4. Adding the jam:
Finally, add the plum jam and mix well, ensuring it is evenly distributed throughout the mixture. The plum jam will add moisture and a sweet-sour taste.

5. Baking the cake:
Preheat the oven to 180°C. Grease a baking tray with margarine and line it with baking paper. Pour the mixture into the tray and level the surface with a spatula. Bake the cake for 30-35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

6. Preparing the glaze:
In a small saucepan, melt 100 g of dark chocolate together with 0.5 tablespoon of margarine over low heat, stirring constantly. Once the chocolate is completely melted, add the instant coffee packet and mix well to obtain a smooth glaze.

7. Assembling the cake:
After the cake has cooled, cut it into generous squares. Spread each square with the chocolate glaze, ensuring it is evenly covered.

8. Decorating:
Sprinkle colored candies and coconut on top for a festive look and a crunchy taste. These details will not only enhance the appearance of the cake but also add a pleasant texture.

9. Serving:
The cake is now ready to be enjoyed! It can be served warm or at room temperature. It is perfect alongside a cup of tea or coffee, bringing a touch of magic to the St. Nicholas evening.

Possible variations:
For an even more personalized touch, you can add ground nuts to the dough or replace the plum jam with apricot or raspberry jam. Additionally, you can experiment with different flavors of essences, such as rum or almond.

This fasting cake for St. Nicholas will surely become a family favorite. Enjoy every moment of preparation and savor the magic of holiday sweets!

 Ingredients: 2 tablespoons margarine, 200 grams sugar, 2 cups water, zest of an orange, 1 vanilla extract, 1 baking powder, 3 heaping tablespoons plum jam, white flour (I used 33 tablespoons), 100 grams dark chocolate, half a tablespoon margarine, 1 sachet instant coffee, colorful candies, coconut.

 Tags:  margarine sugar gem fasting cake