Mrs Muzyk's Chocolate Babka

One of my fondest memories of growing up was spending weekends at my friend Anne's house running around town, listening to music, chasing boys.  You know normal teenage girl stuff.

Anne's Mum, Mrs Muzyk was the best!  There was always this cake waiting for us to eat.  Mrs Muzyk passed away some years ago and as far as Anne and I know, no one managed to get her recipe out of her, even her daughters!  

I did find a recipe that I thought was similar and just had to try it.  Baking this cake today bought back many memories and I really did feel like she was watching over my shoulder, walking me through the recipe in Polish.  

Mrs M was never confident in her English.  However I think I did surprise her one day, she was telling Anne to ask me if I wanted Kartoffel with Sunday Lunch, and I answered her before Anne could translate.  Hehehe!  She was very surprised that I understood what she was asking... School girl German and a German Uncle to the rescue.

Mrs M you will forever have a place in my heart.

150 gm butter, room temperature

1 cup caster sugar

2 tablespoons vanilla extract

4 eggs

2 1/2 cups plain flour

1 teaspoon baking powder

1 cup milk

2 tablespoons cocoa powder

Beat together butter, sugar and vanilla together until light and fluffy.

Add in the eggs one at a time giving the mix a good beating between additions.

Sift together the dry ingredients.

Add in the dry ingredients and milk alternating in thirds.

Remove approx a third of the cake batter to a separate bowl.

Add cocoa powder to this third and stir to combine thoroughly.

Place half the remaining vanilla cake batter to your prepared cake tin.  Then add the chocolate cake mix and then the remaining vanilla cake mix.  Smooth the top and tap the pan on the bench to ensure no air bubbles.

Bake in pre heated 180C oven for 35 to 45 minutes.  Remove and allow to cool to room temperature.

Dust with icing sugar and if you wish a small sprinkling of drinking chocolate.