Eggless Chocolate Cake with a Crusty Walnut Layer - Mom this is for you

Dearest Mom,
My very first friend and my very best, this ode to you is long due ,
Seldom does a day fade when I don't remember all you do; but for you I would have been one of the forgettable few ,
So here's a toast to celebrate your tribe ; May it flourish and God Bless You !

One day is not enough to express our love and gratitude to the most important person in our life, but, in this fast paced world, we sometimes forget emoting our treasured feelings. Let this day serve as a reminder of the SUNSHINE that has brightened up the gloomy days, of the unconditional love showered and of all the sacrifices made. Amma - you are my pillar of strength and it is from you I have learnt to face troubles with all courage. You have instilled in me a sense of dignity and made me the MOM I am, to my kids. Here's to you--- with loads of love <3


To celebrate the day, I baked, yes after a long long time; a zesty chocolate cake that was eggless and the kids digged in with all might. 

The Recipe from Gayathri's space was spot-on. The soft cake topped with a crusty nutty layer gave the bake a different high and was the perfect accompaniment to the afternoon tea.

Ingredients: (Prep Time : 15 mins,Baking Time :40 minutes,Round Baking Tin: 8 * 2 inches)


For the cake:

• Butter -50 grams
• Condensed Milk- 200 grams
• Milk - 1/2cup (approx 120 ml)
• Flour - 100 grams
• Cocoa Powder- 30 grams
• Baking Powder - 1 tsp
• Baking Soda - 1/2 tsp
• Choco essence-1/4 tsp

For the crispy layer:

• Granulated Sugar- 60 grams
• Vanaspathi / Shortening - 60 grams
• Vanilla extract - 1 tsp
• All Purpose Flour- 120 grams
• Baking Powder- 1 tsp
• Milk - 1/2cup (approx 120 ml)
• Walnuts - 4 tbsp
• Chocolate (grated/chopped) - 4 tbsp

Procedure:

For the cake layer:


Grease a cake tin and dust it with flour. Preheat oven to 175C. Beat butter till soft and add condensed milk. Mix well. Sift flour, baking powder and soda-bi-carb. Add to it the cocoa powder. Mix milk and essence. Add milk mixture and flour mixture little by little to the butter and mix it slowly.Pour it into the cake tin and bake for 10 minutes.


For the crispy layer/cookie dough:


Beat sugar and vanaspathi until fluffy. Add the vanilla extract and mix well. Sift flour with baking powder. Add it to the shortening/vanaspathi mix. Now add milk little by little and when the sticky dough consistency is reached stop adding milk. 


To assemble the cake:


After 10 minutes, remove cake tin from oven and spread the cookie dough evenly on the half baked cake. The cookie dough may penetrate the top layer of cake. Don’t worry because that gives a nice merged cake.Sprinkle the chopped walnuts and grated chocolate.Bake it for 25-30 minutes or till the top is golden brown. Remove from oven and let it cool. Invert the tin and remove the cake from the tin. Use another plate to invert the cake again. Cut it to pieces and enjoy with your desired cuppa.

Linking it to Radhika's I love Baking # 4