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Chocolate Macadamia & Black Sesame Cake

February 7, 2023 by Salma Leave a Comment

Chocolate Macadamia Black Sesame Cake | The Polka Dotter

This fudgy chocolate layer cake has a deliciously decadent brownie-like texture with nutty undertones of macadamia butter and black sesame. Freshly roasted macadamias are dotted throughout the layers, providing a lovely crunch and contrast against the rich chocolate, while a dash of honey lends a delicate sweetness. Adorned with crisp shards of macadamia black sesame praline, this teeny tiny cake would make the perfect offering from one chocolate and macadamia lover to the next.

This recipe is a sponsored post created for Australian Macadamias, representing and supporting Australian farmers in the production and enjoyment of the humble yet delicious macadamia nut.

Baking Notes
Roasted macadamia butter and black sesame paste, otherwise known as black tahini, can both be found at most specialty food stores. If difficult to source, the same quantity of macadamia nuts can be roasted and ground to a homemade paste in a food processor. Black tahini complements this cake with its inky colour and stronger, slightly bitter notes than regular tahini, but can be substituted with regular tahini if difficult to source.

Chocolate Macadamia Black Sesame Cake | The Polka Dotter
Chocolate Macadamia Black Sesame Cake | The Polka Dotter
Chocolate Macadamia Black Sesame Cake | The Polka Dotter
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Chocolate Macadamia & Black Sesame Cake

Chocolate Macadamia Black Sesame Cake | The Polka Dotter
Print Recipe

This small batch chocolate layer cake has a decadent brownie texture, nutty undertones of macadamia butter and black sesame, and crisp praline toffee shards.

Ingredients

Scale

Chocolate Macadamia & Black Sesame Cake

  • 40g macadamia nuts, finely chopped
  • 2 large eggs, at room temperature
  • 110g caster sugar
  • 60g unsalted butter
  • 100g good quality dark chocolate
  • 40g black sesame paste
  • 40g roasted macadamia butter
  • 15g (1 tbsp) honey
  • 50g plain flour, sifted
  • 10g (1 tbsp) Dutch-processed cocoa, sifted
  • Pinch of fine sea salt

Chocolate Honey Frosting

  • 80g, unsalted butter, softened
  • 120g icing sugar, sifted
  • 20g (2 tbsp) Dutch-processed cocoa, sifted
  • Pinch of fine sea salt
  • 15g (1 tbsp) honey
  • 1–2 tbsp whole milk

Macadamia Black Sesame Praline

  • 5g black sesame seeds
  • 20g macadamia nuts, finely chopped
  • 60g caster sugar
  • Pinch of sea salt flakes

To Serve

  • Chocolate-covered macadamia nuts, optional

Instructions

Chocolate Macadamia & Black Sesame Cake

  1. Preheat oven to 170°C (150°C fan-forced) and grease or line three 10cm (4”) cake pans with greaseproof paper.
  2. Roast chopped macadamias for  5-7 minutes or until fragrant. The additional macadamia nuts and sesame seeds required for the praline can also be roasted and set aside at this stage.
  3. Melt butter and chocolate on low heat in medium saucepan, then stir through black sesame paste, macadamia butter and honey. Set aside to cool for 5-10 minutes.
  4. Whisk eggs and sugar in stand mixer on medium speed for 2-3 minutes until pale, then gradually whisk in melted chocolate mixture on low speed until smooth.
  5. Sift flour, cocoa and salt together in a medium bowl then fold into cake batter in 2-3 batches.
  6. Divide batter evenly between cake pans, weighing pans to ensure equal volume.
  7. Bake in the lower third of preheated oven for 28-32 minutes, or until cake tester comes out with moist crumbs.
  8. Allow cakes to cool in pans for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack and allow to cool completely.

Chocolate Honey Frosting

  1. Beat butter, sugar, cocoa and salt in free-standing mixer with paddle attachment until light and fluffy, then beat in honey.
  2. If frosting is thick and firm, gradually add milk while beating, until velvety soft, light and fluffy.

Macadamia Black Sesame Praline

  1. Preheat oven to 170°C (150° fan-forced), and roast black sesame seeds on a tray for 3-5 minutes and macadamias for 5-7 minutes or until fragrant.
  2. Melt sugar in saucepan until dark amber, then pour into a large tray, taking great care not to burn yourself. Rapidly sprinkle sesame seeds, chopped macadamias and sea salt flakes over the hot toffee before it cools, to ensure they stick. Allow to cool completely in dry conditions. Break into shards.
  3. Praline can be made in advance and stored in an airtight container to maintain crispness.

To Serve

  1. Level the cakes by slicing off the slight dome shape of each cake.
  2. Place the first layer on a serving plate or mini cake stand and spread a layer of frosting on top, smoothing with a palate knife. Repeat frosting for the second and third cake layers.
  3. Decorate with shards of macadamia black sesame praline and chopped chocolate-covered macadamia nuts, serving any remaining praline or macadamias on the side.

Enjoy!

Notes

Makes a three layer 10cm (4”) cake and serves 2-4 people

Did you make this recipe?

Tag @thepolkadotter on Instagram and hashtag it #polkadotbakes

Chocolate Macadamia Black Sesame Cake | The Polka Dotter

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Filed Under: Cakes Tagged With: Black sesame, Chocolate, Macadamia

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Salma Sabdia | Food Photography

Hi, I’m Salma, and I love creating beautiful images and sweet treats. If you’re looking for a little baking inspiration, you’ve come to the right place.

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Go placidly amidst the noise and haste, and rememb Go placidly amidst the noise and haste, and remember what peace there may be in silence.
~ Max Ehrmann

Love this quiet scene at Pappa Sven. It was actually a test shot of the lighting, my first shot of the day. The lovely Libby had handed me a bud vase filled with a casual spray of flowers picked from one of Pappa Sven’s flower pots, and I had set out a few unfrosted coconut cupcakes on a her lovely cake stand, getting them ready to glam up with roasted strawberry icing.

I never usually care too much for my test shots, they are what they are, and I often prefer my last shots of a session, when the cakes are cut, the crumbs are scattered and the drizzles have dripped in their imperfectly perfect ways. And I’ve had a sneaky chance to indulge in whatever dessert I have prepared, all in the name of good photography and recipe testing.

But it’s true what they say, there’s a first time for everything, and this photo may actually be my favourite of the whole shoot, a genuine moment of calm in such a cosy space.

And if I had it my way - I’d share the full un-cropped version with you, that included the beautiful detail of the brick wall across the top of the window, but as Instagram would have it, we are obliged to a 4:5 ratio, so alas today this crop will suffice. 

Also I am absolutely elated and humbled that the tickets to this event are selling so quickly. Thank you to those of you who have already purchased a ticket, it truly means a lot to have you share this event with us 💕

And if you missed the event details - head to my last post or click the link in my profile 😊

#thinkpink #pinkribbon #afternoonteatime #pinkcupcakes #nordiclifestyle #pappasven #fundraiserevent #nbcfaus #foodphotographyandstyling #newcastleevents
Event Announcement! 💕 Join us for an intimate Event Announcement! 💕

Join us for an intimate and heartwarming Pink Ribbon Afternoon Tea, hosted by Salma Sabdia (@thepolkadotter) in the cosy surrounds of Pappa Sven’s Apartment (@pappasvens).

We’re raising funds for the National Breast Cancer Foundation (@nbcfaus), a cause that’s particularly close to our hearts, and we would love for you to share this special event with us.

Immerse yourself in our much loved ‘Pappa Sven’s Apartment’ and savour a selection of delectable pink-themed cakes, cookies and more, all specially crafted for this occasion. 

Event details:
Saturday 14th October at 2pm
Pappa Sven Apartment in Cooks Hill, NSW, Australia

Click the link in profile for more details and to book your ticket through the @pappasvens website.

We can’t wait to see you there!

#thinkpink #pinkribbon #afternoonteatime #pinkcupcakes #nordiclifestyle #pappasven #fundraiserevent #nbcfaus #foodphotographyandstyling #newcastleevents
Good spring morning 💕 aren’t these blooms abs Good spring morning 💕 aren’t these blooms absolutely stunning? 

Instagram usually has a strong dislike for my floral photography. I suspect they are too much of a departure from cakes and cookies, and it’s considered they may offend my dessert-loving audience 😂

What do you think? Do you like the occasional flower or two to start your day?

#springvibes #springflorals #ranunculus #ranunculusflower #flowerphotoshoot #bridgetbodenham #handmadeceramics #australianphotographer
SAVE THE DATE! OCTOBER 14 💕 We have a VERY sp SAVE THE DATE!

OCTOBER 14 💕

We have a VERY special event coming soon to one of Newcastle’s favourite spaces.

If a little sweet indulgence in a stylish Nordic setting is your idea of a good time, mark the afternoon of Saturday October 14th in your calendars, because you’ll be sharing it with us 😊 and best of all, you’ll be supporting a very worthy cause 💕

Tickets go on sale this week, and with a very intimate gathering planned, they will be limited. Keep an eye out on our socials do you don’t miss out 😊

#strawberrycupcakes #coconutcupcakes #nordiclifestyle #pappasven #pinkribbon #afternoonteatime #fundraiserevent #nbcfaus #foodphotographyandstyling
If you’re looking for the perfect dessert to get If you’re looking for the perfect dessert to get you through this summer weekend weather (at the start of spring!) this divine layered ice cream of strawberry, macadamias and mango will do just the trick 💕

Created last summer for @ausmacadamias | Recipe link in profile

#strawberryicecream #mangoicecream #macadamiaicecream #icecreamdessert #summerdessert #weekenddessert #foodphotographyandstyling #australianmacadamias #queenslandstrawberries #aussiemangoes
SAVE THE DATE! Hey Newcastle! We have been plann SAVE THE DATE! 

Hey Newcastle! We have been planning a VERY special event for you 💕

If a little sweet indulgence in a stylish Nordic setting is your idea of a good time, mark the afternoon of Saturday October 14th in your calendars, because you’ll be sharing it with us 😊 and best of all, you’ll be supporting a very worthy cause 💕

Stay tuned and keep an eye out on our socials, where we’ll be sharing all the details early next week!

#strawberrycupcakes #pappasven #pinkribbon #newcastleevents
Blood orange season has arrived, gently floating i Blood orange season has arrived, gently floating in with the soft spring breezes. It’s always one of my favourite times of the year.

Last year’s signature blood orange cake was this delicately striped Blood Orange + Earl Grey Bundt Cake, a crowd favourite that you can find on the blog.

(Along with the other twelve blood orange recipes. Yes, I just checked and would you believe there are no less than specifically THIRTEEN blood orange recipes. And I still think there’s room for number fourteen 😂). 

What’s your favourite flavour to pair with blood oranges? And are there any blood orange recipes you’d like to see this year?

#bloodorange #bloodorangecake #earlgreycake #bundtcake #teacake #springbaking #weekendbaking #foodphotographyandstyling #harrisfarm #redbellycitrus
The days are saying Spring has arrived. The sunshi The days are saying Spring has arrived. The sunshine is glorious and warms you all the way to the tips of your toes and deep inside your heart and mind.
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
And the beautiful shades of magnolia pink and wattle yellow are already starting to retreat, giving way to tiny green shoots. 
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
But the nights seem to remind us that Winter will linger a little longer, and to enjoy the indulgence of cosy beverages paired with cosy knits while we still can 💕
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What’s the weather like in your little corner of the world?

#changeofseasons #cosynights #cosyvibes #bridgetbodenham #marimekko #unikko #teaculture
The magnolias are in full bloom again. It’s alw The magnolias are in full bloom again.

It’s always such a glorious sight to witness. Last year I shared the special story behind our magnolia tree, and I can’t help but share it again after I’ve spent the better part of the last week admiring her brilliant beauty.

The first time she flowered a few years ago, we were completely in awe. We had moved into our home in the middle of a scorching summer drought, and always wondered about this sickly tree that commanded prime position in the front yard.

So imagine our surprise when nine months after living in our home, this bare thin tired tree gave rise to the most stunning, enormous magenta magnolias. 

Every year that has followed we eagerly await the first week of August to indulge in her beauty. Her fuzzy winter coats are shed and give way to the most brilliant shade of deep pink splashed against the fresh greenery of the garden.

Such a special way to welcome in the warmer weather 💕

#magnolias #magnoliaflowers #springblooms #springbaking #flowerphotoshoot
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