What is the recipe for Queen Victoria chocolate cake?

There's no official "Queen Victoria chocolate cake" recipe. However, we can draw on the time period and her known preferences to create a likely delicious cake inspired by her era.

Here's a recipe based on the Victorian era's baking techniques and Queen Victoria's love for simple, elegant desserts:

Victorian Chocolate Cake

Ingredients:

* For the Cake:

* 1 1/2 cups (190g) all-purpose flour

* 1/2 cup (50g) unsweetened cocoa powder

* 1 tsp baking powder

* 1/4 tsp salt

* 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened

* 1 3/4 cups (350g) granulated sugar

* 2 large eggs

* 1 tsp vanilla extract

* 1 cup buttermilk

* 1/2 cup hot coffee

* Optional: 1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans

* For the Buttercream Frosting:

* 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened

* 3 cups (375g) powdered sugar

* 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

* 1/4 cup milk

* 1 tsp vanilla extract

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans.

2. Make the Cake: In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt.

3. Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the vanilla extract.

4. Alternate Wet and Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, alternating with the buttermilk and coffee, beginning and ending with the dry ingredients. Beat until just combined.

5. Fold in Nuts (optional): Gently fold in the chopped nuts, if using.

6. Bake: Divide the batter evenly between the prepared cake pans. Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

7. Cool: Let the cakes cool in the pans for 10 minutes before inverting them onto a wire rack to cool completely.

8. Make the Frosting: In a large bowl, cream together the butter and powdered sugar until light and fluffy. Gradually add the cocoa powder, milk, and vanilla extract, beating until smooth.

9. Assemble the Cake: Once the cakes are completely cooled, frost the bottom layer with half of the buttercream frosting. Top with the second cake layer and frost the entire cake with the remaining frosting.

10. Decorate (optional): You can decorate the cake with a simple chocolate ganache drizzle, chopped nuts, or fresh fruit.

Notes:

* This cake is best made with high-quality cocoa powder for a richer flavor.

* If you don't have buttermilk, you can create your own by adding 1 tablespoon of lemon juice or white vinegar to 1 cup of milk and letting it sit for 5 minutes.

* The hot coffee helps to intensify the chocolate flavor.

* You can adjust the amount of sugar in the frosting to your preference.

Enjoy your Victorian-inspired chocolate cake!