Bird's Milk Cake layers soft cocoa sponge with a light semolina cream for a slice that is rich, airy, and even better after a night in the fridge.
Ingredients
- 130 g butter, softened
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 cup flour
- 3 eggs
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon white vinegar, for slaking
- 2 to 3 tablespoons cocoa powder
- 2 cups whole milk
- 4 tablespoons semolina
- 300 g butter, softened, for the cream
- 1 cup sugar, for the cream
Instructions
- 1Beat the softened 130g butter with the sugar until creamy.
- 2Beat in the eggs one at a time.
- 3Slake the baking soda with the vinegar and stir into the batter.
- 4Sift in the flour and cocoa powder and mix until smooth.
- 5Grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans. Divide the batter evenly between them.
- 6Bake at 350F (175C) for 20 to 25 minutes, until the layers are set and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- 7Cool the layers completely before assembling.
- 8Cook a thick semolina porridge with the milk, stirring constantly until it holds its shape. Cool fully.
- 9Beat in 300g butter and the remaining 1 cup sugar until the cream is smooth and fluffy.
- 10Spread the cream between the cooled layers and over the top.
- 11Chill for at least 2 hours before slicing.
Cook's Note
Cook the semolina cream until very thick and cool it fully before beating in the butter so the filling turns smooth instead of loose.
Best Served With
Fresh berries
Why This Recipe Works
The cocoa cake layers stay simple and soft, while the cooled semolina-butter cream gives the filling body without making it heavy.
Make It Yours
- Add chopped toasted walnuts between the layers.
- Stir a little vanilla into the batter for a warmer note.
- Dust the top with cocoa powder before serving.
Leftover Strategy
Refrigerate, covered, for up to 3 days. The cream settles and the layers soften further overnight, it improves with a day of rest. Serve cold from the fridge.
Want to impress guests with this dish? Ask Jeff →
Pairing
Hot black tea ↗ or cold milk balances the soft cream filling; vanilla wafers ↗ make a simple pantry-side bite.
As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases
Keep Cooking
