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courgette, clementine and chocolate loaf cake

23 November 2017 by Dominic Franks

courgette cake

… I think London at Christmas is London at its best.  I realise it’s not quite Christmas yet – for me it doesn’t officially start till December 1st but most of the lights have been officially switched on by the great and good of reality TV so I thought it was worth mentioning how beautiful it all looks.  Obviously there’s the tacky, same-again lights on Oxford Street – although even these can’t fail but bring joy to your heart as your gaze is drawn down the great length of the street awash with giant globes of light.  Then there’s Regent Street which, although is a repeat of last years, is pretty epic with it’s giant angels with wings.  Old Bond Street is always a great hit with it’s fancy chandeliers and peacock feathers but it’s the smaller, off the beaten path lights that I prefer as they’re usually a little more bespoke and tailored to the areas they reflect.  My favourite of these this year must be Carnaby Street.  They’ve gone for a fabulous Christmas Carnival look with giant party poppers and birds of paradise.  Also good is the 7 Dials area of Covent Garden which are just so pretty and quite traditional looking with their wrapped presents and trees.  St Christopher’s Place, the teeny street wedged in between Selfridges is always a great show-stopper and this year it’s glorious… but I think my absolute favourite this year is the Covent Garden market lights.  They have giant mirror balls and large twigs of mistletoe and holly and it just looks so festive and beautiful… if you’re coming to London and need a lift of spirits I highly advise you to take a late afternoon stroll around the lights!

courgette cake

courgette cake

courgette, clementine and chocolate loaf cake

another all-in-one easy loaf cake… sometimes it amazes me when people say that baking is difficult, well OK, that’s a bit mean because I have enough failures to know better but this cake is so simple and delivers on taste that you simply must try it. Courgettes in cakes isn’t a new thing so no turning up your nose at this one and the combination of the finely grated courgette and finely grated chocolate is delicious and also I think a little bit clever as the grated chocolate compliments the subtle courgette rather than overpower it.  The other wonderful thing about this cake is that it will only get better as it ages and if you can bear it, try and keep it for a day or two before serving it.  Where most other cakes will go stale, the courgette begins to break down and release moistness over time, which is really rather wonderful.

grease and line a 1lt loaf tin and pre-heat the oven to 170C

  • 300g courgette – finely grated – for me this was 1 large courgette
  • 250g self-raising flour
  • 75g soft brown sugar
  • 60g dark chocolate – finely grated
  • 3 large free-range eggs
  • 75ml sunflower oil
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
  • the finely grated zest of a clementine

place all the ingredients into a large bowl and gently bring together with a whisk, then once combined whisk briskly for 30 seconds

pour gently into your loaf tin and bake on 170C for 40 – 50 minutes until risen and golden

leave t0 cool in the tin on a wire rack

courgette cake

eat and of course, enjoy!

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Filed Under: Cakes Tagged With: baking, cake, chocolate, chocolate cake, christmas, courgette cake

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Comments

  1. Phil in the Kitchen says

    23 November 2017 at 11:44 pm

    That’s a fine seasonal cake which manages to sound truly delicious but not TOO indulgent (there’s a lot of Christmas indulgence on the horizon, I believe). Courgettes do make fine, moist cakes and anyone with an upturned nose clearly hasn’t tried them.

    • Dominic Franks says

      24 November 2017 at 11:18 am

      Thanks Phil… it’s very light, well it’s not anything any more because it’s in my tummy!

  2. Denise Tyrrell says

    24 November 2017 at 2:45 am

    Reading your blog is as bad as going to the supermarket hungry … torture! I would love to wait two days before slicing into this little beauty but I would say that’s impossible 😊 Merry Christmas to you and yours🎄

    • Dominic Franks says

      24 November 2017 at 11:18 am

      what an adorable compliment, thank you! Merry Christmas too x

  3. Kate - gluten free alchemist says

    26 November 2017 at 10:02 pm

    Suddenly, clementine, orange and cinnamon flavours are everywhere….. Must be Christmas! Love the loaf cake recipe…. sounds amazing! x

    • Dominic Franks says

      27 November 2017 at 9:44 am

      it’s Christmas!!!

  4. Jean says

    27 November 2017 at 8:06 am

    Your cake sounds delicious……another for me to try !!
    I would love to see the Christmas lights of London, I find the retail extravaganza that Christmas has become annoying, but still feel the magic of Christmas decorations and shop lights after dark.

    • Dominic Franks says

      27 November 2017 at 9:44 am

      thanks Jean, it really is lovely. Come to London and say hi!

  5. Alicia says

    28 November 2017 at 6:47 am

    Hey Dominic, Your cake looks delicious! Is it easy to make? I want to try one as my son loves cake so much!

    • Dominic Franks says

      29 November 2017 at 7:50 pm

      thanks Alicia… so easy to make. You could make it with your child x

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About Belleau Kitchen

My name is Dominic, I am a cook, food writer and creative event producer. I write the food blog Belleau Kitchen and also write a monthly recipe column for Lincolnshire Life Magazine and Good Taste Magazine. I also run creative event production company The Persuaders, producing global events for brands since 1997. I am based both in the small village of Belleau in Lincolnshire and the smaller village of London! Read More…

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