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
- Start by placing cherries in Vodka (enough to cover) – we’ll come back to them later
- Heat Shortening gently until melted
- Add sugar, water and cocoa, and mix well
- Heat gently until simmering; remove from heat, and stir well continuously until cool.
- Transfer to mixing bowl.
- Add flour, baking soda, eggs, and jam. Mix well.
- Place inside greased/lined cake tin
- 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
- Cream butter with sugar with a hand mixer. Add to this the eggs, and mix again, then add vodka, mixing one more time.
- Place mixture in fridge for approximately 20 minutes
- Take your (cooled!) cake and cut in half – 2 frisbee shaped slices
- Spread cream over bottom slice of cake evenly
- Dot cherries evenly into the cream
- 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
- Heat butter until almost melted
- Add other ingredients, and stir – fast.
- When all ingredients are combined and starting to bubble, remove from heat. Stir continuously, for approximately 10 minutes (the longer the better).
- Pour onto centre of cake, spreading with pallet knife.
- 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.