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Ultimate chocolate cake

• Angela Nilsen

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Cuts into 14 slices

Easy

Prep: 30 mins - 40 mins

Cook: 1 hr - 1 hr and 30 mins

Plus baking and cooling time

A star rating of 4.7 out of 5.1555 ratingsRate

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Indulge yourself with this ultimate chocolate ganache cake recipe that is beautifully moist, rich and fudgy. Perfect for a celebration or an afternoon tea

Freezable (un-iced and undecorated)

Nut-free

Vegetarian

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Ingredients

Nutrition

Units:

MetricUS

For the chocolate cake

• 200g dark chocolate

  (about 60% cocoa solids), chopped

• 200g butter

  cubed

• 1 tbsp instant coffee granules

• 85g self-raising flour

• 85g plain flour

• ¼ tsp bicarbonate of soda

• 200g light muscovado sugar

• 200g golden caster sugar

• 25g cocoa powder

• 3 medium eggs

• 75ml buttermilk

• 50g grated chocolate

  or 100g curls, to decorate

For the ganache

• 200g dark chocolate

  (about 60% cocoa solids), chopped

• 300ml double cream

• 2 tbsp golden caster sugar

• golden caster sugar

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Nutrition: Per serving

• kcal541
• fat35g
• saturates20g
• carbs55g
• sugars40g
• fibre2g
• protein6g
• salt0.51g

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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.

Frequently asked questions

How to decorate chocolate cake

This cake looks excellent with chocolate curls over the top, but you can simply grate some chocolate over it before serving if preferred. It also looks just as stunning with just the decadent icing slathered over it. A scatter of chopped nuts like hazelnuts over the top will add extra crunch. For more ideas on how to ice the cake check out our cake decorating guide.

How long does chocolate cake last?

This cake will keep, in an airtight container, iced, for 3-4 days.

Can you freeze chocolate cake?

Yes, you can freeze the sponges. Wrap well and store in an airtight container in the freezer for up to 3 months. Defrost overnight and continue the recipe.

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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A star rating of 4.7 out of 5.1555 ratings

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