Sokolatina: A Dreamy Chocolate Custard Cake Recipe

Decadent layers of rich chocolate and silky sokolatina chocolate custard cake dance together in a symphony of indulgent flavors.

Creamy, smooth custard nestles between delicate cake layers, creating a dessert that whispers sweet promises.

This Greek-inspired treat brings Mediterranean charm right to your table.

Each slice promises a luxurious chocolate experience that melts effortlessly on your tongue.

The custard infuses depth and elegance into every single bite.

chocolate lovers will swoon over the intense, velvety texture and complex flavor profile.

You won’t be able to resist this irresistible dessert that turns an ordinary moment into a celebration of pure deliciousness.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 8 hours 35 minutes

Calories: 456 kcal

Servings: 13

Ingredients Found in Sokolatina – Chocolate Custard Cake

• Flour: Provides structure and tenderness to the cake, choose unbleached all-purpose flour for best results.
• Cocoa Powder: Delivers rich chocolate flavor, opt for high-quality Dutch-processed cocoa for deeper color and taste.
• Eggs: Bind ingredients and create light texture, select fresh room-temperature eggs for optimal volume.
• Sugar: Sweetens and helps create cake's soft crumb, use fine granulated sugar for smooth mixing.

• Milk: Creates creamy base, select whole milk for richer consistency.
• Cornstarch: Thickens custard, ensure it's fresh and lump-free.
• Cocoa Powder: Enhances chocolate depth, choose high-quality dark cocoa.
• Sugar: Balances flavor and sweetens custard, use fine white sugar.
• Vanilla: Adds aromatic complexity, use pure vanilla extract for best flavor.

• Heavy Cream: Creates luxurious whipped topping, select cream with high fat content.
• Butter: Provides richness to glaze, use unsalted butter for controlled sweetness.
• Honey: Adds glossy shine and subtle sweetness to glaze, choose pure, natural honey.
• Cocoa Powder: Deepens chocolate glaze color, use dark cocoa for intense flavor.

Essentials for Making Sokolatina – Chocolate Custard Cake

• Electric Mixer: Essential for beating eggs and whipping cream to the perfect consistency.
• Large Mixing Bowls: Crucial for combining dry ingredients and preparing cake batter.
• Spatula: Needed for gently folding ingredients and smoothing out layers.
• 35 x 25 x 8 cm Baking Pan: Specific size required for the cake base.
• Saucepan: Used for heating milk and preparing the glaze.
• Whisk: Helps mix custard cream and whip cream smoothly.
• Pot: Necessary for cooking custard cream.
• Plastic Wrap: Prevents skin from forming on custard.
• Piping Bag: Optional for decorating cake with whipped cream.
• Measuring Cups and Spoons: Ensures accurate ingredient quantities.
• Sharp Knife: Used for slicing cake and cutting into squares.

Steps to Make Sokolatina – Chocolate Custard Cake

• Cake Base Foundation

Prepare a cozy baking space with all necessary tools and ingredients. The secret to a perfect base lies in patience and gentle handling of the mixture.

• Egg Transformation

Whip eggs into a cloud-like texture, watching them turn pale and fluffy. This magical process creates the cake’s incredible lightness.

• Baking Moment

Spread the delicate batter into a welcoming pan, allowing it to bake until perfectly golden. Let the cake rest and develop its rich character overnight.

• Creamy Dream Preparation

Craft a silky custard that will become the heart of your dessert. Gently heat milk, whisking in smooth ingredients until the mixture transforms into a luxurious cream.

• Layering Magic

Carefully slice the cake, creating a canvas for your creamy filling. Layer the custard between cake sections, building a decadent masterpiece.

• Chocolate Glaze Finale

Create a glossy chocolate topping that will make your cake shine. Pour the glistening glaze over the cake, watching it cascade down the sides.

• Whipped Cream Crowning

Pipe delicate swirls of cream on top, adding a final touch of elegance to your chocolate sensation. Chill thoroughly to let all flavors meld together.

• Serving Celebration

Slice into perfect squares, revealing the layers of love and skill you’ve created. Each bite promises a journey of rich chocolate and creamy delight.

Handy Tips for Your Sokolatina – Chocolate Custard Cake

• Upgrade the cocoa powder to a high-quality dark variety for a richer, more complex chocolate flavor that elevates the entire dessert experience.
• Experiment by adding a splash of coffee liqueur or orange extract to the custard cream to introduce unexpected and delightful flavor notes.
• Keep the assembled cake fresh by wrapping it tightly in plastic wrap and storing in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, allowing the flavors to meld beautifully.
• Sprinkle crushed chocolate cookies, chocolate shavings, or toasted nuts on top of the whipped cream for added texture and visual appeal.

Serving Suggestions for Sokolatina – Chocolate Custard Cake

• Chocolate Lover's Dream Plating: Create an elegant dessert presentation by placing each sokolatina square on a white porcelain plate. Dust edges with cocoa powder and add a delicate mint leaf for a pop of color.
• Creamy Companion Pairing: Serve alongside a small scoop of vanilla bean ice cream or a shot of espresso to complement the rich chocolate flavors. The cool, smooth texture will enhance the cake's decadent profile.
• Family Gathering Centerpiece: Perfect for special occasions like birthdays or holiday celebrations. Cut into smaller bite-sized pieces for easier sharing and watch guests' eyes light up with each chocolatey bite.
• Coffee Shop Style Finish: Garnish each slice with a light sprinkle of chocolate shavings or a drizzle of caramel sauce. Add a small chocolate truffle on the side for an extra indulgent touch that transforms the dessert into a restaurant-quality experience.

Storage Advice for Sokolatina – Chocolate Custard Cake

• Refrigeration Guidelines: Store the sokolatina cake in an airtight container within the refrigerator, keeping it fresh for up to 4 days. Cold temperatures help maintain the custard's smooth texture and prevent cream separation.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare cake components 1-2 days before serving. Bake the base, create custard, and whip cream separately, then assemble just before presentation for maximum flavor and texture preservation.
• Temperature Tricks: Always serve chilled, removing the cake from refrigerator 10-15 minutes prior to serving. This slight warming allows flavors to develop and provides a more enjoyable eating experience.
• Slice and Store Strategy: Cut the entire cake into individual portions before refrigerating. Wrap each square separately in plastic wrap to maintain moisture and prevent flavor absorption from other refrigerator items.

Velvety Sokolatina Chocolate Custard Cake

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4.9 from 12 reviews

• Total Time: 8 hours 35 minutes
• Yield: 13 1x

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Description

Greek pastry chefs craft this heavenly sokolatina with layers of rich chocolate custard and delicate cake. Creamy chocolate and subtle sweetness invite dessert enthusiasts to savor complex Mediterranean flavors from Greece.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 2 liters milk
• 1 liter heavy whipping cream (35% fat)
• 8 eggs
• 240 grams / 8.4 oz butter
• 450 grams / 15.9 oz sugar
• 250 grams / 8.8 oz sugar
• 4 tbsps sugar
• 3 tbsps honey
• 150 grams / 5.3 oz all-purpose flour
• 150 grams / 5.3 oz cornstarch
• 100 grams / 3.5 oz unsweetened cocoa powder
• 70 grams / 2.4 oz unsweetened cocoa powder
• 70 grams / 2.4 oz unsweetened cocoa powder
• 7 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder, sifted
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

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Instructions

1. Preparation: Preheat the oven to 180°C and lightly grease a rectangular baking pan.
2. Dry Ingredients: Meticulously sift flour and cocoa powder together, eliminating any potential lumps.
3. Egg Mixture: Utilize an electric mixer to whip eggs and sugar, transforming the mixture into a voluminous, pale foam through vigorous beating for approximately 10 minutes.
4. Batter Creation: Gently fold the sifted dry ingredients into the egg foam using a spatula, preserving the mixture’s delicate airiness.
5. Baking Process: Distribute the batter evenly in the prepared pan and bake for 15 minutes until the surface springs back when lightly touched.
6. Cake Base Resting: Allow the cake to cool completely and rest for a minimum of 8 hours to enhance textural complexity.
7. Custard Preparation: Create a smooth blend of milk, cornstarch, and cocoa powder, while simultaneously warming the remaining milk with sugar and vanilla in a heavy-bottomed pot.
8. Cream Development: Gradually incorporate the cornstarch mixture into the heated milk, stirring continuously until the cream achieves a luxurious, silky consistency.
9. Custard Cooling: Remove from heat, cover with plastic wrap touching the surface, and allow to cool at room temperature for 2 hours.
10. Whipped Cream Formation: Whisk heavy cream with sugar and cocoa powder until achieving stiff, glossy peaks.
11. Cake Assembly: Carefully slice the cake base horizontally, positioning the bottom layer in the pan and spreading two-thirds of the custard cream.
12. Layer Completion: Position the second cake layer, applying gentle pressure to ensure even distribution.
13. Cream Application: Spread the remaining custard and two-thirds of the whipped cream across the top, smoothing with a spatula.
14. Glaze Creation: Melt butter with cocoa powder, remove from heat, and blend in honey.
15. Finishing Touches: Allow the glaze to cool briefly, then pour evenly over the cake’s surface.
16. Chilling: Refrigerate for 1 hour to set the glaze and stabilize the layers.
17. Serving: Slice into 20 elegant squares, garnish with whipped cream rosettes, and serve chilled.

Notes

• Precise Egg Whipping: Beat eggs and sugar for exactly 10 minutes to create a voluminous, airy base that ensures the cake’s light texture.
• Cooling Technique: Rest the cake base for minimum 8 hours or overnight to develop optimal structure and enhance flavor absorption.
• Temperature Control: Let custard cream cool at room temperature for 2 hours, covering with plastic wrap to prevent skin formation and maintain smooth consistency.
• Layering Strategy: Apply gentle pressure when stacking cake layers to ensure even cream distribution and prevent air pockets.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Serbian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 13
• Calories: 456
• Sugar: 54 g
• Sodium: 87 mg
• Fat: 34 g
• Saturated Fat: 21 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 36 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 7 g
• Cholesterol: 143 mg