It’s all about the chocolate topping!

That gooey chocolate topping on a cake or traybake really makes the moist sponge that you’ve prepared sing! You can choose any sponge recipe but one of my favourites is a chocolate sponge recipe by Mary Berry. The chocolate topping recipe is mine which is one I have used time and time again and is delicious even though I say so myself. I sprinkled a generous amount of white metallic sweet pearls on my traybake, to give contrast and make it look pretty! I was in a very girly mood over the weekend! Enjoy, much love D x

INGREDIENTS

For the sponge

50g  cocoa powder
6 tbsp boiling water
100g baking spread or soft butter
275g caster sugar
3 large free-range eggs
125ml  milk
175g self-raising flour
1 tsp baking powder

For the chocolate ganache topping

200g plain chocolate
180ml double cream light

METHOD

~ Preheat the oven to 180C/350F/Gas 4 (160C fan).

~ Put the cocoa in a large bowl, add the boiling water and mix until smooth. Add the baking spread or butter and beat into the cocoa until smooth, then add the remaining cake ingredients and mix until combined – this can be done in a mixer or by hand.

~ Pour into the tin, spread evenly and bake in the preheated oven for about 30-35 minutes, or until well risen, just firm to the touch and shrinking away from the sides of the tray. Leave to cool completely in the tray

~ For the chocolate ganache topping ~ heat the chocolate and cream in a saucepan over a low flame until the chocolate melts

~ Remove the pan from the heat and whisk the mixture until smooth, glossy and thickened. Set aside to cool for 1-2 hours, or until thick enough to spread over the cake

~ Pour the chocolate fans ganache over the top of the chocolate sponge base

~ Using a palette knife, evenly spread the ganache and set aside in the fridge to set

~ Once set, carefully slice the traybake into 16 equal squares. They are now ready to be served

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