Gü's decadent chocolate birthday cake
This double layer of moist chocolate sponge is not only topped with a chocolate glaze, but filled with it too… pure indulgence.
Serves 12-16
Ingredients
For sponge:
150g plain flour
4 tsp baking powder
300g dark chocolate (about 70% cocoa solids) broken into small pieces
200g unsalted butter
6 eggs
300g granulated sugar
For filling and glaze:
500g dark chocolate
400ml whipping cream
2 tbsp liquid glucose or runny honey
100g unsalted butter, cut into pieces
Equipment:
2x20cm round cake tins
Stick blender
Method
1. Preheat the oven to 170ºC/Gas 3 and line the cake tins with baking parchment. Sift the flour and baking powder together into a bowl.
2. Put the chocolate and butter into a small saucepan over a low heat and stir well until they have melted and become smooth. Alternatively, melt them in a microwave on low power, checking and stirring regularly.
3. Lightly beat the eggs and sugar together in a bowl until only just combined. Stir in the chocolate mixture and then fold in the flour and baking powder.
4. Divide the mixture equally between the lined tins and bake for 30-40 minutes or until a skewer comes out clean when inserted into the centre. Leave to cool in the tins for 5 minutes, then turn onto a wire rack and leave to cool completely.
5. For the chocolate filling and glaze, tip the chocolate into a heatproof bowl. Pour the cream into a small saucepan, add the glucose or honey and bring to the boil. Pour the mixture over the chocolate and stir with a spatula until it has melted and become smooth. Now add the butter and stir until fully incorporated and then finish with a quick whizz on the hard blender.
6. Pour half of the mixture into a bowl and leave to cool and almost set. Leave the remaining chocolate mixture in the pan and set aside.
7. Place one piece of sponge on a wire rack set over a tray. Spread the sponge with the almost-set chocolate filling and cover with the remaining layer of cake.
8. Place the remaining chocolate mixture back on a low heat and melt gently. Pour the glaze evenly over the cake on a rack, letting it drip down the sides (or spread it around the sides), to cover completely. Add the necessary number of candles, light, sing Happy Birthday and then enjoy your creation!
