Greek Chocolate Cake (Σοκολατόπιτα)

This obscenely moist chocolate cake from Greece is made with olive oil, soaked in a spiced syrup and sealed with a chocolate ganache.

This little-known chocolate cake is known as ‘sokalotopita’ in Greece and is a regular feature at coffee houses and bakeries around the country, especially on the mainland. At its bones, its a pretty regular chocolate cake, perhaps even a little dry and cottony actually. This is a deliberate feature however, as it’s then given a Midas touch of luscious, spiced chocolate-honey syrup, which is poured over the cake to soak. Once soaked, the cake is sealed with a silky chocolate ganache. The beauty of this dessert is that it’s often served straight out of the dish it’s made in, boasting obscene levels of moisture and truly decadent chocolate flavour. It’s the perfect end to any Greek meal or barbecue, and it’s sure to have people talking about it for quite a while afterwards. It’s an unforgettable chocolate cake. Let’s go!