Murzynek – Polish Black Baby Cake

First, ignore any racial connotations which might pop into your head when you read the title of this recipe – blame it on the literal translation, if you must. Basically, this is a dark, chocolaty cake, filled with a delicious vodka and cherry cream.

This recipe (and indeed, the cake in the photo) comes from my Polish wife. If I can say one thing about Polish food, it’s that the recipes aren’t simple, but trust me, this one is worth it; it’s easier to make then it looks. We’ve divided this one into 3 steps.

Murzynek Recipe – Ingredients – STAGE ONE

• 250g Vegetable Shortening (such as Stork)
• 150g White Sugar
• 150ml Water
• 6 heaped Teaspoons Cocoa Powder
• 600g Plain Flour
• 2 level tsp Baking Powder
• 3 Eggs
• 1 tbsp Blackcurrant Jam
• 1 packet Flaked Almonds, for decoration
• 2 Handfulls of Cherries
• Vodka

Murzynek Recipe – Method – STAGE ONE

1. Start by placing cherries in Vodka (enough to cover) – we’ll come back to them later
2. Heat Shortening gently until melted
3. Add sugar, water and cocoa, and mix well
4. Heat gently until simmering; remove from heat, and stir well continuously until cool.
5. Transfer to mixing bowl.
6. Add flour, baking soda, eggs, and jam. Mix well.
7. Place inside greased/lined cake tin
8. Bake for 40 minutes at 180 degrees c. Check before removing; probe centre with wooden cocktail stick, and if still wet, cook for a little longer.

Meanwhile, you will be preparing vodka cream for the filling…

Murzynek Recipe – Ingredients – STAGE TWO

• 125g Unsalted Butter
• 150g Caster Sugar
• 1 Egg (Whole)
• 1 Egg Yolk
• 50ml Vodka

Murzynek Recipe – Ingredients – STAGE TWO

1. Cream butter with sugar with a hand mixer. Add to this the eggs, and mix again, then add vodka, mixing one more time.
2. Place mixture in fridge for approximately 20 minutes
3. Take your (cooled!) cake and cut in half – 2 frisbee shaped slices
4. Spread cream over bottom slice of cake evenly
5. Dot cherries evenly into the cream
6. Place top slice onto bottom one – your cake is now whole again

All of which will lead into the chocolate topping…

Murzynek Recipe – Ingredients – STAGE THREE

• 125g Unsalted Butter
• 5 Heaped tbsp Sugar
• 1 tbsp Water
• 4 tsp Cocoa Powder

Murzynek Recipe – Ingredients – STAGE THREE

1. Heat butter until almost melted
2. Add other ingredients, and stir – fast.
3. When all ingredients are combined and starting to bubble, remove from heat. Stir continuously, for approximately 10 minutes (the longer the better).
4. Pour onto centre of cake, spreading with pallet knife.
5. Place almond slices evenly on the still soft chocolate until cake is covered.

You’re done! Allow to cool, and enjoy a slice with a cup of freshly ground coffee. Enjoy!

Oh, and if you enjoyed this article, please consider digging it.

Filed under: Sweet.
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