So this started off as a Black Forest Gateau until I realised I had no cherries. Or any whipping cream. Or any Kirsch. Anyhoo, with true birthday bloody-mindedness I set to work making some other sort of cake. There are plenty of times when my experiments end up in the bin, but seeing as it’s my birthday, I thought I was on a winner as the only one likely to dip out if it was a disaster was me. The result, as you can see, was rather good. And I should know, I had three pieces.
6 oz butter
6oz golden caster sugar
3 eggs
5 oz self raising flour
1 oz cocoa powder
1 bar Green & Black’s dark chocolate
Blackberry jam to fill
For the ganache:
1 bar Green & Black’s dark chocolate
1 small tub single cream
Preheat the oven to 180 degrees and grease and line two cake tins. Melt the bar of chocolate in a bowl over some simmering water. While you’re waiting, cream the butter and sugar with an electric whisk until really light and fluffy. Turn the mixer down low and mix in the eggs one at a time (remember if it starts to curdle just bung in a spoonful of flour). Sieve the flour and cocoa and fold into the mixture. Then stir in your cooled, melted chocolate (make sure it’s just blood temp). Divide the mix into the two tins and bake for 15-20 minutes until the middle just springs back when you touch it. Tip the sponges out onto a rack to cool.
Now melt the other bar of choccy and when cooled again, whisk in enough cream to give a nice, smooth pouring consistency. Take your first cake, spread thickly with the blackcurrant jam, then take the second cake, smother with the chocolate ganache and splodge onto first cake. Empty the rest of the ganache over the top, smear it about a bit and decorate garishly with white chocolate buttons. Eat, whilst still warm, stabbing at any over-eager small children with your fork if they attempt to nick any of your cake. After all, you’re only 38 once.
PS: Sorry about the cloth, takeaway menu and pair of jeans in the photo. David Bailey I’m not.
March 26th, 2008 at 10:29 pm
March 27th, 2008 at 12:04 am
March 27th, 2008 at 7:09 am
March 27th, 2008 at 3:23 pm
June: I did send a slab next door - saved me eating it all!
Aussie!! Thanks. Oh and special thanks to Wonderbra for the chest. Heh. xx
March 27th, 2008 at 7:19 pm
March 27th, 2008 at 7:51 pm
March 27th, 2008 at 10:13 pm
March 27th, 2008 at 10:23 pm
March 28th, 2008 at 12:00 am
My birthday’s in a few weeks…. I can’t wait to make my cake!!!!
March 28th, 2008 at 2:08 pm
K8: Well, a very happy unbirthday to youuuuuu! x
Ruth: Ta. #1’s birthday next month and he says he’s going to have it with strawberries and cream in the middle. Sounds good to me! x
April 4th, 2008 at 8:00 am
I’m thinking a person could maybe one day use Green & Blacks dark chocolate with cherries ….
Not me. Oh, no. Not me. Maybe a *cough cough* ‘friend’ of mine could make it…
I think I’ve put on half a stone just looking at the picture!
April 4th, 2008 at 9:44 am