Skinny tea-party chocolate cake

Nothing beats a big slice of chocolate cake, eaten with a dainty fork while curled up on the sofa watching your favourite reality tv show. Of course, cake and couch sitting can be a diet disaster combination but if you whip up this light and beautiful chocolate cake, you won't have to feel so guilty! I like to call it my skinny tea-party cake because of the dainty jam layer and the light sponge texture of the cake.

This post will teach you how to make a gorgeous chocolate cake fit for entertaining or enjoying solo. Dress up with edible glitter, baubles or flowers if you are baking for a party.

Light Chocolate Cake
Ingredients:
2 tbsp of cocoa powder
6 fresh dates with seed removed
50 grams of dark chocolate (80%)
1 cup of self-raising flour
½ cup of caster sugar
1 tsp of baking powder
1 egg (room temperature)
½ cup of milk of your choice (room temperature)
3 tbsps of vegetable oil

For filling:
Sugar-free strawberry jam

For icing:
½ packet of low-fat cream cheese
¼ cup of icing sugar
2 tbsps of cocoa powder
Sliced strawberries
20g of dark chocolate

Directions:

Chop the dates and chocolate, and pour over hot water until just covered. Sift flour, baking powder and cocoa powder together. Blend the chocolate, dates and water until smooth. Beat the egg, milk and oil with an electric mixer. Gradually add sugar until combined. Add the chocolate and date mixture and mix. Fold in dry ingredients until combined, but try not to overmix.

Oil a cake tin and put baking paper on the base. Put the cake mix into the tin and bake for 30 minutes in a moderately hot oven at 180 degrees. Turn onto a wire rack to cool.

When the cake in completely cool, carefully cut the cake in half using a bread knife. Using a plate and large spatula, flip the top layer onto the separate plate. Heat the jam in the microwave until warmed and spread over the top of the bottom layer. Using the spatula, take the plate with the other side of the cake and carefully tip on top of the jam layer.

Using an electric mixer, whip cream cheese, cocoa and icing sugar until soft and blended. Ice the cake and top with sliced strawberries and grated dark chocolate. I also think hundreds' and thousands' look super cute.