Novel Nibbles: Trunchbull's Chocolate Cake

“I’ll tell you what I’m talking about, you suppurating little blister!” the Trunchbull shouted. “Yesterday morning, during break, you sneaked like a serpent into the kitchen and stole a slice of my private chocolate cake from my tea-tray! That tray had been prepared for me personally by the cook! It was my morning snack! And as for the cake! it was my own private stock! That was not boy’s cake! You don’t think for one minute I’m going to eat the filth I give to you? That cake was made from real butter and cream! And he, that robber-bandit, that safe-cracker, that highwayman standing over there with his socks around his ankles stole it and ate it!” Matilda, Roald Dahl
This weeks Novel Nibbles post is very dear to me. Not only is it inspired by my favourite childhood book, it is also a tribute to my earliest book inspired food memory. Even as an adult I delight in Bruce Bogtrotter getting one over on tyrannical Trunchbull and using a delicious chocolate cake no less!
What is not there to love about chocolate cake?!
My personal favourite is Devil’s Food Cake and my favourite recipe comes from my much loved copy of the Good Housekeeping’s Cookery Book: The Cook’s Classic Companion.

…or the quick way!


Lemon juice or white vinegar to sour the milk

Check out the wooden spoon. No mixers here!

Measuring out my dry ingredients

Nearly time to lick the bowl!

Impatiently waiting for the cakes to cool.

Adding chocolate frosting to the first of four layers!

Can you pull a Bogtrotter and eat the whole thing?

I’ll give it a go!

Post by Caroline