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- Start by preparing your ingredients. In a large mixing bowl, add the melted butter and sugar. Use a whisk or spoon to mix them together until the mixture is smooth and well combined. The sugar will dissolve into the butter, forming the base for your loaf batter. This step is crucial to achieving a light, moist texture in the final product.
- Next, add 1 teaspoon of vanilla essence to the butter and sugar mixture. Then, crack in the 2 eggs, adding one at a time. Beat each egg into the mixture until fully incorporated. The eggs help to bind the ingredients together, adding structure to the loaf. After mixing in the eggs, pour in 1/2 cup of milk. Stir gently to combine, ensuring the batter remains smooth and uniform.
- In a separate bowl, sift together the cake flour (or all-purpose flour), cocoa powder, coffee powder, salt, and baking powder. Sifting is important to ensure the dry ingredients are evenly distributed and free of clumps. Gradually add the sifted dry ingredients into the wet mixture. Mix gently using a spatula or wooden spoon until everything is just combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this could result in a dense loaf.
- Once the batter is ready, pour it into a prepared loaf tin. Make sure the tin is greased or lined with parchment paper to prevent the loaf from sticking. Use a spatula to smooth the top of the batter, ensuring it’s evenly spread in the tin.
- Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F). Bake the chocolate loaf in the preheated oven for about 30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the loaf comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs attached. The top of the loaf should be firm and slightly cracked, indicating that it has baked properly. Be sure to check the loaf as it nears the 30-minute mark, as oven temperatures can vary.
Once the loaf is done baking, remove it from the oven and allow it to cool in the tin for 10-15 minutes. This resting period helps the loaf set and makes it easier to remove from the tin without breaking. After cooling slightly, turn the loaf out onto a wire rack to cool completely before slicing and serving. If you can’t wait, you can enjoy it warm, but it will slice much cleaner once it has cooled.
- If you want to elevate the flavor of your chocolate loaf, you can add an optional chocolate glaze. To prepare the glaze, chop 1/2 cup of chocolate into small pieces and place them in a small bowl. Add 2 tablespoons of milk to the chocolate. Place the bowl over boiling water or microwave it in short bursts, stirring every 20 seconds until the chocolate is fully melted and smooth. Once melted, mix the glaze until it reaches a thick, glossy consistency.
- Drizzle the chocolate glaze over the cooled loaf, allowing it to set before slicing. This extra layer of chocolate adds richness and makes the loaf even more indulgent.
