HOW TO SERVE ALABAMA FUDGE CAKE

We can thank Paul Hollywood, Prue Leith and The Great British Bake Off for catapulting a nation’s love of cake to near-stratospheric heights in recent years. From traditional favourites like Victoria sponge to quirky classics like pineapple upside down cake, we all enjoy a slab of something sweet with our cuppa – and so do your diners. 

One such cake delighting foodies everywhere is the marvellously moist Alabama fudge cake, which answers all diners’ dessert-based prayers in one go. Our love for chocolate makes this the UK’s top-selling cake with 40% of sales, and the over 55’s eating an average of six portions per month.

How did the dessert come to be, though? Fudge cake itself refers to a ‘dense, single-layer chocolate cake served with or without icing, says Wikipedia. Like a brownie but moister, it’s long been a popular pudding amongst adults and children alike. Alabama fudge cake, meanwhile, originates from…you guessed it…Alabama, USA. 

In truth, an Alabama fudge cake doesn’t differ that much to a standard fudge cake. But there’s a vast difference between chocolate fudge cake and traditional chocolate cake, and that’s the addition of an often-hot, and always sticky, fudge sauce or filling.

And if you’re wondering how to serve Alabama fudge cake, here are some suggestions: 

With Ice Cream

If you want to truly serve your Alabama fudge cake ‘the American way’, how about dishing it up with a side of real vanilla ice cream? Don’t just keep it traditional with vanilla though, why not try cherry for a super flavour combo. 

With Custard

There’s something very comforting about hot custard and cake – and on colder evenings, your diners will undoubtedly appreciate the option for custard over ice cream. Whip up a standard custard recipe or try a nostalgic vanilla custard with your Alabama chocolate cake.

With Fruit Coulis

Give a classic dessert a modern twist with a tangy fruit coulis. There are lots of flavour combinations to choose from, but again, we love the sound of a cherry variety like this one. 

With Sorbet

Chocolate fudge cake served warm works perfectly with fruit sorbet, so consider adding a few varieties to your menu to give guests plenty of choices. A fresh orange sorbet like this one turns your chocolate dessert into a ‘chocolate orange’ – and who doesn’t love those flavours together?!