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The Sponge:

  • 175g wholemeal self raising flour
  • 175g soft light brown sugar
  • 175g soft unsalted butter
  • 3 large eggs, beaten
  • 1 heaped tbsp of cocoa powder
  • 1 tsp of baking powder
  • 1 red chilli pepper, very finely chopped (sweet, mild chillis will work better than fiery ones)
  • 1/2 tsp of dried chilli flakes

The Filling & Frosting:

  • 250g dark chocolate (chilli chocolate if you can find it)
  • 250ml double cream
  • 1 small knob of butter (roughly a large heaped tablespoon)
  • 1 red chilli pepper, very finely chopped
  • 1/2 tsp of hot chilli powder
  • 1/2 tsp of dried chilli flakes
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    Method

    • step 1

      Sift the flour, cocoa powder and baking powder into a mixing bowl.
    • step 2

      Add the sugar, butter, eggs, fresh chilli and dried chilli. Beat this together until you end up with a soft mixture that falls off a spoon when you hit it against the bowl. Add a drop or two of water if you think your mixture is too stiff.
    • step 3

      Divide the mixture into two baking tins (I recommend 7 inch diameter) and bake at 170 degrees C (325F) for 30 minutes, or until springy in the centre and a knife inserted into the sponge comes out clear. Allow to cool for one hour after cooking.
    • step 4

      To make your filling for the middle and frosting for the top melt the chocolate over a medium heat. My method of doing this is to boil a pan of water and put a heat proof bowl on top of the pan, drop the chocolate in the bowl and stir until melted.
    • step 5

      Once melted take the chocolate off the heat. Stir in the chillis, butter and cream. Cover with cling film and allow it to cool. When cooled, put the mixture in to the fridge for around an hour or until thickened enough to easily spread (but not set hard).
    • step 6

      When thickened, spread the chocolate mixture as a filling and topping for your cake. Decorate with crushed pistachios and finely chopped fresh red chillis. Enjoy!
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    Comments, questions and tips (8)

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    Overall rating

    A star rating of 3.8 out of 5.4 ratings

    bimblegirl@hotmail.com_7D1AEFC

    question

    Hi, would it be possible to use self raising flour instead of wholemeal. If so what would be the difference? TIA. X

    goodfoodteam avatar
    goodfoodteam

    Hi, thanks for your question. Yes you can use white self raising - it will give a lighter sponge with a less 'nutty' flavour . We hope this helps. Best wishes, BBC Good Food Team.

    markintwickers

    I followed the recipe almost line for line and made a really good cake. I agree with other reviews that I creamed the butter and the sugar, making the sponge in a more traditional way that meant I didn’t have to use the baking powder.the outcome was a fantastic cake that I love, hence the 5 stars.

    davidmargaret

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    skthalange avatar

    skthalange

    A star rating of 1 out of 5.

    Don’t recommend this recipe. Tried it recently.

    I’d suggest taking a basic chocolate cake recipe and adding chilli powder and/or chilli flakes to the cake and ganache mix. I’d suggest the standard method of creaming butter and sugar first, then add eggs and finally flour, chilli and cocoa powder…

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