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Ingredients

For the chocolate cake

For the ganache

Method

  • STEP 1

    Heat the oven to 160C/fan 140C/gas 3. Butter and line a 20cm round cake tin (7.5cm deep).

  • STEP 2

    Put 200g chopped dark chocolate in a medium pan with 200g butter.

  • STEP 3

    Mix 1 tbsp instant coffee granules into 125ml cold water and pour into the pan.

  • STEP 4

    Warm through over a low heat just until everything is melted – don’t overheat. Or melt in the microwave for about 5 minutes, stirring halfway through.

  • STEP 5

    Mix 85g self-raising flour, 85g plain flour, ¼ tsp bicarbonate of soda, 200g light muscovado sugar, 200g golden caster sugar and 25g cocoa powder, and squash out any lumps.

  • STEP 6

    Beat 3 medium eggs with 75ml buttermilk.

  • STEP 7

    Pour the melted chocolate mixture and the egg mixture into the flour mixture and stir everything to a smooth, quite runny consistency.

  • STEP 8

    Pour this into the tin and bake for 1hr 25 – 1hr 30 mins. If you push a skewer into the centre it should come out clean and the top should feel firm (don’t worry if it cracks a bit).

  • STEP 9

    Leave to cool in the tin (don’t worry if it dips slightly), then turn out onto a wire rack to cool completely. Cut the cold cake horizontally into three.

  • STEP 10

    To make the ganache, put 200g chopped dark chocolate in a bowl. Pour 300ml double cream into a pan, add 2 tbsp golden caster sugar and heat until it is about to boil.

  • STEP 11

    Take off the heat and pour it over the chocolate. Stir until the chocolate has melted and the mixture is smooth. Cool until it is a little thicker but still pourable.

  • STEP 12

    Sandwich the layers together with just a little of the ganache. Pour the rest over the cake letting it fall down the sides and smooth over any gaps with a palette knife.

  • STEP 13

    Decorate with 50g grated chocolate or 100g chocolate curls. The cake keeps moist and gooey for 3-4 days.

RECIPE TIPS
NOT QUITE WHAT YOU'RE LOOKING FOR?

Try other chocolate cake recipes including chocolate brownie cake chocolate marble cake, or chocolate birthday cake.

CAKE KNOW-HOW

If you fancy boosting your baking skills, we have plenty of expert tips to help out. Read our top 10 tips for cake success and Mary Berry's ultimate baking tips. If you're faced with a baking disaster, check out out troubleshooting guide and avoid dreaded sunken middles, burnt edges and other common complaints.

Recipe from Good Food magazine, April 2004

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