James Martin – Chocolate Cake Mix Review.

With summer upon us, there is no better time for a picnic in the park with all your friends.

Hopefully, over this series of posts, I will bring you some easy and simple ideas to pack into your hamper, which will be loved by all or just to enjoy in the comfort of your own home.

First up, we have:

James Martin’s – Chocolate Cake Mix.

Most people who know me will know I don’t cook, but I do like to bake, and it’s been one thing I’ve really missed with not being able to stand up for long.

I have to admit I hadn’t thought of trying a packet mix as I’ve not heard great things, but I was intrigued to try this one. After all, would James Martin put his name to something not that good?

The instructions tell you it will take 15 minutes to prepare and I have to admit, I think it was slightly quicker.

In the packet, you will find:

• Paper Tray for cooking.
• Cake Mix
• Topping Mix and Chocolate curls.

As well as the above, you will also need:

• 1 x medium egg
• 100ml of coca-cola (optional)
• 25g of butter
• 1-2 tablespoons of milk.

Pop the cake mix, egg and cola if wanted (we went for it as I do like a nice moist cake) into a bowl and mix it all together. While you’re mixing, be sure to preheat the oven.

There’s your cake.

Honestly, it really is that simple!

Next, pop it into the oven at gas mark 2 (or 150 degrees) and cook the cake for 45 – 50 minutes. There’s even a box to cook the cake in, so you don’t need baking parchment, greaseproof paper or cake tins.

We found it took just a little longer than the time stated. For us, it was perfect at about the hour mark but, of course, it will always differ from oven to oven.

Remove from the oven, and then comes the hard bit – waiting for it to cool before icing it! Pop it onto one of your wire racks to cool.

I always want to ice a cake straight away, probably as I can’t wait to eat some!

Time to Ice the Cake.

However, one must be patient and wait for it cool before icing it.

The icing is simple to do, it comes in two parts, and all you need to do is:

Grab the topping mix bag containing icing sugar, and carefully add in the 25g of butter (softened) and the milk. I went for one tablespoon to start with and later added in a second when I felt it needed it. It went very quickly into a lovely paste, so again it was really simple to do.

Pop it on top of the cake, add the chocolate curls, and you’re done.

Doesn’t it look yummy?

We left it overnight to set, and so the next day the taste test began. Finally!

Honestly, this has to be one of the nicest cakes I have had, and it’s definitely the best packet mix I’ve tasted. For anyone worried about the inclusion of cola, you couldn’t taste it. However, it helped make for a lovely moist cake that was oh so chocolatey. Although it had not set hard, the icing was lovely – sticky and messy yet melted in your mouth.

All four of us really enjoyed the cake and will definitely be looking out for the cake mix in shops nearby.

I have to admit I also really enjoyed the feeling of having contributed something to the house rather than just taking from everyone.

The simplicity of making this cake just adds a whole new level of enjoyment for me.

James Martin mixes are available from Tesco and Asda with prices starting at just £1.

Read More: James Martin Mixed Seed Bread Mix.