Chocolate Berry Loaf Cake

Yields 1 loaf

Ingredients

Cake:

• 2 cups fresh mixed berries (raspberries and blueberries)

• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

• 1 1/4 cups sugar

• 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

• 1 1/4 cups (2 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature

• 1/2 cup boiling water

• 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

• 1/3 cup sour cream

• 3 large eggs, room temperature

• 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract

• 1 teaspoon instant coffee granules

• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda

• 1/4 teaspoon salt

Ganache:

• 8 oz. semi-sweet chocolate chips

• 2/3 cup heavy cream

• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350º F and lightly grease a 9x5-inch loaf pan with butter or non-stick spray.

2. In a large bowl or mixer, beat together flour, sugar, butter, cocoa powder, sour cream, eggs, vanilla extract, coffee granules, baking soda and salt, then slowly pour in boiling water to create a rich batter.

3. Fold chocolate chips into batter and pour into greased loaf pan.

4. Scatter 2/3 cup mixed berries over the top of the batter and place in oven. Bake for 40-45 minutes, or until toothpick inserted in centre comes out mostly clean.

5. Set up a double-boiler with a heatproof bowl set over a small saucepan of simmering water and combine chocolate chips, heavy cream and vanilla extract in top bowl.

6. Stir until completely melted and smooth, then remove from heat and set aside.

7. Remove cake from oven and let cool 15 minutes before removing to wire rack to finish cooling completely.

Optional: wrap loaf in plastic wrap and place in freezer to make slicing easier.

8. Drizzle chocolate ganache over mostly cooled cake and scatter remaining berries over the top.

9. Serve warm or at room temperature and enjoy!

#chocolate #berries #loaf #cake #koek