Granko, coffee syrup, fruit jam, and a glossy chocolate glaze come together in this simple, juicy dessert with a rich flavor. It’s perfect for family gatherings or when friends visit, and the batter itself takes only about 10–15 minutes to prepare.
This cake is made in a single bowl and baked in a smaller baking tray. An important step is pouring hot coffee over the sponge and letting it rest for 8–10 hours, which allows all the layers to meld and gives the dessert maximum moistness.
What You’ll Need
For the batter:
- 3 eggs,
- ½ cup granulated sugar or cane sugar,
- ½ cup semi-coarse flour, or a mix with plain flour,
- ½ cup Granko or quality cocoa powder,
- ½ cup vegetable oil, such as sunflower, or melted butter,
- ½ packet, that is 6 g, baking powder.
The cup used has a volume of 250 ml.
For the coffee syrup and fruit layer:
- about ½ cup or less instant coffee, sweetened to taste,
- 100 g of your favorite jam or as needed, for example strawberry.
For children, you can use decaffeinated coffee or flavored milk.
For the chocolate glaze:
- 75 ml whipping cream,
- 100 g dark cooking chocolate, or mixed with milk chocolate.
Step-by-Step Preparation:
1. Whipping the eggs: Beat the eggs with sugar in a bowl for 2–3 minutes until you get a light and fluffy cream. Then pour in the vegetable oil or melted butter and briefly mix again.
2. Finishing the batter: Sift the semi-coarse flour and mix it with baking powder and Granko. Add the dry mixture to the whipped eggs and gently fold everything together with a spatula until you have a smooth, lump-free batter.
3. Preparing the baking tray: Grease a tray about 16 × 26 cm with butter and dust with flour. Pour in the prepared batter and smooth the surface evenly so the sponge bakes to an even height.
4. Baking: Bake the sponge at 180 °C for about 35–45 minutes. Check with a skewer after 30 minutes; if it comes out dry, the cake is done. If the top browns too quickly, cover with foil.
5. Preparing the coffee syrup: Prepare about ½ cup of coffee, or a little less, and sweeten to taste. Let the baked cake cool slightly and, if needed, transfer it to a serving tray.
6. Soaking the sponge: You can poke the surface with a fork or skewer to help the liquid soak in. While still warm, evenly pour the hot coffee over the cake and let it absorb for 5 minutes.
7. Spreading the jam: Spread 100 g of your favorite jam, or as much as needed, over the coffee-soaked surface. If the jam is too thick and hard to spread, warm it briefly.
8. Preparing the chocolate glaze: Heat the whipping cream and add broken pieces of dark chocolate, or a mix of dark and milk chocolate. Stir until you get a smooth and glossy glaze.
9. Finishing the dessert: Pour the hot chocolate glaze over the jam layer and spread it evenly over the entire surface. Work quickly so the glaze spreads before it starts to set.
10. Resting and serving: Let the finished dessert rest in a cool place or the fridge for 8–10 hours. Then cut into squares or rectangles and serve on its own or with whipped cream.
How to Achieve the Perfect Moistness
Don’t pour more coffee over the sponge than the recipe states. About ½ cup or less is enough to moisten it without making the cake fall apart when sliced. Poking with a fork or skewer helps the syrup soak in evenly.
Resting for 8–10 hours is also important. During this time, the cocoa sponge, coffee, jam, and chocolate glaze meld together and the dessert develops a full flavor.
Possible Variations for the Syrup and Batter
If making the dessert for children, you can replace instant coffee with decaf coffee, whole milk, or flavored milk. For an adult version, add 1 tablespoon of rum or coffee liqueur to the hot coffee.
You can also add a pinch of salt to the dry ingredients. Before baking, sprinkle the batter with chopped walnuts or hazelnuts, or grate in some zest from an organic lemon or orange.
Final Tip
If using thick jam, warm it briefly before spreading. This makes it easier to create a thin, even layer for the chocolate glaze to go on top. Before cutting, let the dessert chill thoroughly so each piece holds its shape nicely.
