Black prince cake with kefir: DIY homemade recipe

History of the cake

Rumor has it that the favorite delicacy of the son of the English King Edward III and Queen Philippa was the Black Prince cake, the recipe of which has survived to this day from English chefs.
It’s hard to believe that the leading figures of the world aristocracy satisfied their culinary whims with such basic sweets.

But, based on their taste, as well as from the fact confirmed by historians of the existence of a young prince, who was dubbed black for his dark armor, it may well be.

Although more credible is the version that the confectioners assigned the romantic combination “black prince” to each new masterpiece. Perhaps that is why in cooking “The Black Prince” has so many variations of the cake recipe.

How to make Black Prince cake at home: step-by-step recipe

At first it seemed to me that all varieties of this dessert contained cocoa powder. But soon I found jam improvisations on the Internet, as well as variations for those who exclude flour, eggs and even kefir from their diet.

Before making the Black Prince cake, I carefully studied all the proposed options and settled on the classic one. Its production can be divided into four stages: kneading the dough; bakery; preparation of filling and cream; assembling the cake.

For the sponge cake to turn out perfect, the eggs must be fresh and clean, the flour must be sifted and always of the highest grade. Make sure that the sugar dissolves well while preparing the dough.

Stage 1 ingredients:

eggs - 2 pcs.;
flour – 400 g;
sugar – 200 g;
kefir – 200 g

sour cream – 100 g;
cocoa powder – 20-30 g;
soda – 1 teaspoon;
juice from half a lemon.

In order to prepare the dough, you need to combine kefir with sour cream in a bowl.
Stir well and sprinkle baking soda on top (without stirring). Break the eggs into another container, add sugar and cocoa. Using a mixer, bring the mixture to a homogeneous consistency.

Then combine the contents of both bowls (egg and kefir mass), mix thoroughly and pour lemon juice into it. Let's stir again.

At the end of the first stage of preparing the “Black Prince” cake with kefir, gradually add flour to the resulting mixture, while stirring the mass.

The second stage is baking the cakes. To do this, carefully transfer the prepared dough onto prepared baking sheets (moulds) and place in a preheated oven for 40 minutes.

Baked items should be set aside to cool. In the meantime, we proceed to the third stage.

Recipe for cream for the Black Prince cake

Stage 3 ingredients:

sour cream – 300 g (preferably with a high percentage of fat content);
sugar – 200 g;
butter – 100 g.

Grind the butter into a separate bowl, pour sour cream into it and add sugar. Using a mixer, I bring everything to a homogeneous mass.

The filling for the Black Prince cake according to the classic recipe is usually made from berries. In my opinion, pitted cherries are better suited for this purpose. During the season I use fresh ones, but in the absence of that I make do with freezing. Children like options with strawberries and raspberries.

The last stage is perhaps the most crucial. To assemble all our pieces, you first need to carefully cut the cooled cakes in half horizontally with a sharp knife.

There are times when in the oven the middle of the cake begins to burn, but the edges are still raw, or a hump “grows” in the middle. These defects can be corrected with water, which is poured into empty baking sheets and placed in the oven at the same time as the cake. This way the temperature is regulated, preventing burnt marks from forming.

Then on each piece at the bottom I skim off a little bit of the crumb. I do this so that the resulting indentations are densely filled with filling.

I generously spread the cream on top of the berries and set the cake aside for 15 minutes to soak. I do this with each part.

And then I place the finished cakes on top of each other. I place the remaining crumb on top and generously pour cream over everything, including the sides of the Black Prince cake, as shown in the photo.

Cake “Black Prince” on kefir with custard

A delicious chocolate kefir cake can be coated with custard; it will be like a separate layer, that is, it will not penetrate into the sponge cake. The taste will be richer and sweeter.

It is prepared quite simply.

Ingredients:

starch – 20 g;
milk – 0.5 l;
chicken eggs – 2 pcs.;
sugar – 2/3 cup;
vanillin – 1 sachet;
butter – 60 g.

Cake ingredients

Master Class:

How to beautifully decorate and serve the Black Prince cake

You can come up with different options to decorate your masterpiece. Every time I improvise to surprise my kids. Children like it best when they pour melted chocolate on top and make a thin web of sour cream.

But if you don’t have the time or desire to tinker with this, you can get by with a simplified version of berries or sprinkle the cream thickly with coconut flakes, creating an airy effect. For guests, you can use chopped jelly cubes as decoration, of course, from the same berries as the filling of the homemade Black Prince cake.

Tips and tricks for making a cake

Although the recipe is extremely simple and does not contain any tricks, some tips will still be useful for a successful dessert:

I always preheat the oven to 180 degrees, and put a sheet of parchment paper greased with vegetable oil in the molds.
When I pour the dough into the molds, I make sure that it is evenly distributed around the edges.
I don’t open the oven door until half an hour after I set the Black Prince cake layers to bake. Otherwise the biscuit will fall. Only after 30 - 35 minutes I test the dough with a toothpick to see if it is ready.
I make sure to heat the butter and sour cream for the cream so that the temperature is slightly above room temperature. Such components are easy to work with, sugar dissolves well in them and does not squeak on the teeth.
I start whipping the cream for the “Black Prince” at slow speeds, gradually increasing them, and continue until the consistency begins to thicken.
In order for the cakes to soak well, the cake can be placed in the refrigerator for an hour or two.

To make the sponge cake fluffy, add sugar to the egg mixture gradually. Also, pre-knead the dough by wiping it dry with a kitchen towel.

Cooking method step by step

First place granulated sugar and egg in a large bowl. Add a teaspoon of water and whisk.
Pour a spoonful of soda into kefir, leave it for 3 minutes, and then add it to the total mass.
Add cocoa powder and mix everything well.
Since it is difficult to combine cocoa with a cold mixture, you need to start gradually adding flour, stirring well.
Add jam, mix everything thoroughly again.
Knead the dough. It should not be too liquid so that after stirring the surface is not immediately smooth.
Grease a large frying pan or pan for our cake and place parchment paper on top so that its edges protrude slightly. This way, then it will be easier for us to pull out the finished cake.
The oven should initially be preheated to 200 degrees, then just place the mold in it. After 10 minutes, reduce to 185 degrees. Bake further for 35–40 minutes. The oven should not be opened for the first 20–25 minutes, as the cake will settle and will not be able to rise further. If suddenly the surface begins to darken too early, then bake it for the last 20 minutes at a temperature of 165 degrees. It’s worth using a toothpick to check if it’s ready – it should remain dry.
Having pulled out the finished cake, wait a little and, carefully holding the ends of the paper, remove it from the mold. Allow to cool on a wire rack, and only then turn over onto a prepared towel. Remove the paper and cool completely.
Cut our cake in half lengthwise.
Beat sour cream and sugar to obtain cream.
Spread the finished cakes with cream, then stack them on top of each other.
If desired, decorate the top with grated chocolate, pour chocolate icing, or come up with anything else at your discretion.
Place the cake in the refrigerator for 4 hours or overnight.

The Black Prince cake with jam is ready, bon appetit!