Rich Chocolate Cake for Yogurt Week

Monday 19th May marks the start of Yogurt Week – a celebration of all things yogurt! Whether it’s for breakfast on the go, a delicious snack or for use in your favourite recipes, yogurt contains a range of nutrients important for a balanced diet and healthy lifestyle, and is a great food staple for all the family to enjoy. With so many ways to enjoy yogurt, the Yogurt Council has launched the first dedicated Yogurt Week and asked me to come up with a sweet treat using yoghurt. For more information check out @loveyoghurtUK on Twitter, the Yogurt Week website or Love Yoghurt UK on Facebook.

Using yoghurt in cakes makes them moist and gives a richness of flavour.  We always have yogurt in the fridge, whether it be homemade or store bought, as most families do.  If you have some yogurt in your fridge do give this cake a try, it is so easy to whip up you don't even need a mixer.

Rich Chocolate Cake

185g self raising flour
50g cocoa powder
1 tsp bicarbonate of soda

185g caster sugar

250ml Greek style yogurt
125ml vegetable oil
1 large free range egg
1 tsp vanilla extract or vanilla bean paste

Grease and line a 20cm/8 inch square cake tin.  Preheat your oven to 180C/160C Fan.

Combine the dry ingredients in a large bowl.  Mix the yogurt, oil, egg and vanilla until well combined in a separate bowl or jug.  Add the wet ingredients to the dry and gently fold together until completely mixed, do not beat the mixture.  Pour into your prepared cake tin and bake for 30-35 minutes or until a skewer inserted into the centre comes out clean.  Cool in the tin for 10 - 15 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.  

Chocolate Yogurt Ganache

200g dark chocolate
125ml Greek style yogurt

Take the yoghurt out of the fridge and allow to warm to room temperature whilst you melt the chocolate.  Melt the chocolate in a bowl set over a saucepan of simmering water.  Once melted, set aside the chocolate to cool slightly then stir through the yogurt until completely combined.  Leave to stand until ganache thickens.  Spread over the cake.

Do take a look at some more delicious Yogurt Week recipes created by other bloggers:

Thai Spice Yogurt Marinated Pork by Katie

Greek-style Baked Tomatoes Peppers Onions and Chilli by Jan

White Loaf made with Yogurt by Helen

Disclosure: I was compensated for my time and expertise creating this recipe for Yogurt Week