Cake

Poor old Beth has her birthday at a really unfortunate time of the year. As a consequence we want to spoil her, and whatever she asks for as her birthday cake, she gets. This year she asked for coffee and chocolate cake with a fudge frosting. So this is what she got.

For the cake

  • 150g softened butter (plus some for greasing)
  • 250g caster sugar
  • 125g sour cream
  • 4 eggs
  • 2 tsp coffee granules mixed with hot water (then cooled)
  • 150g self-raising flour
  • 50g cocoa powder
  • 1 tsp baking powder

For the frosting and topping

  • 75g butter
  • 3 tbsp milk
  • 3 tbsp soft brown sugar
  • 6 tsp golden syrup
  • 300g icing sugar, plus extra to thicken if needed
  • 100g shaved white chocolate

The cake

Pre-heat the oven to 180C/160C (fan). Line and grease two baking pans.

Whisk together the butter, sugar, eggs, sour cream and coffee mixture. Add the sieved flour, baking powder and cocoa. Mix well.

Divide the mixture between the two baking tins. Bake for around 25 minutes and cool.

The frosting

Melt the butter, milk, sugar and syrup together in a saucepan. Remove from the heat and whisk in the icing sugar. Pour into a bowl and allow to cool. If the mixture is too runny, add some more icing sugar before spreading onto the cake. There should be enough here or the centre and the topping.

Finally, scatter the shaved chocolate on top.

Don’t forget the candles, and Happy Birthday!!