Chocolate Cake that'll make them swoon!

I made this cake for a friend whose son had requested a plain chocolate sponge for his 5th Birthday.  It's a rich chocolate sponge with layer of chocolate ganache in the middle and a chocolate ganache covering.  Hardly a plain chocolate sponge! LOL I use this recipe often when a proper rich chocolate sponge is called for.  It went down well with kids and adults alike.  It's best sliced thinly though as it packs quite a chocolate hit.  Also fab as a pudding served with whipped cream or icecream, not that I'm admitting to anything! ;oP

250g butter

300g light soft brown sugar

1 tsp vanilla extract

100g plain flour

100g self-raising flour

5 free range eggs

300g dark chocolate, melted and cooled

For the ganache:
 
300g dark chocolate

300ml double cream
 

Preheat your oven to 160C/Fan 140C/Gas Mark 3.  Grease and line a 20cm round cake tin with non-stick baking paper.  Cream the butter and light soft brown sugar until pale and fluffy.  Measure out both the plain flour and self-raising flours and mix them together in a separate bowl.  Beat in each of the 5 eggs one at a time, adding 2 tbsp flour with each egg.  Beat well after the addition of each egg.  

 

Once all the eggs have been incorporated into the mixture.  Pour in the 300g of melted dark chocolate and then beat the mixture again.  Fold in the remaining flour.  Spoon the cake mixture into the tin and bake for approximately 1 hour 30 minutes to 1 hour 40 minutes.  The cake will be risen with a nice crust on top. Cool the cake for about half an hour in the tin and cool on a wire rack.

 

To make the ganache melt dark chocolate and double cream together either over a low heat, in a microwave or in a bowl over simmering water.  Leave the ganache to cool until it reaches a spreadable consistency.

Slice the cake in half horizontally and lift off the top half and set aside.  Spread the ganache generously over one half of the cake before gently placing the other half of the cake back on top. Spread the remaining ganache over outside of the cake. You could decorate the cake with some grated chocolate, sprinkles or just leave it as it is, either way it is delicious!



The cake just before the candle was lit