Chocolate Fudge Cake

Having 3 older children and a new baby means life is busy and finding enough time to spend quality time with each child can be tricky.  I decided to have a 90 minute session with each child once a week where they pick the activity and we are uninterrupted, except if I need to feed bubs.  The eldest two have their time with me on the weekend when hubby can look after bubs, 8yo and whichever of the other two isn't with me.

My 8yo has her session on a Tuesday after school as both older children have after school clubs until 5pm.  She loves to cook and bake so last week wanted to bake a Chocolate Fudge Cake with help from me when she requested it.  We had a good chat and she did so well, I helped by fetching ingredients that she couldn't reach and putting the cake in the oven and taking it out once cooked.  

Chocolate Fudge Cake

175g caster sugar
175g butter, softened
1 tsp vanilla bean paste or extract
3 Tblsp golden syrup or honey
3 large free range eggs
40g ground almonds
175g self raising flour
40g cocoa powder

Icing:
250g chocolate, we used plain/dark chocolate
250g butter
70g light soft brown sugar
1 tsp vanilla bean paste or extract

Make the icing first.  Combine all the ingredients in a saucepan over a low heat.  Stir constantly until the mixture is smooth.  Pour into a bowl, cover with clingfilm and chill in the fridge for an hour or until thick enough to be spreadable.

Preheat your oven to 180C/160C Fan/Gas Mark 4.  Grease and line two 20cm/8 inch sandwich tins.

Cream the butter, sugar, vanilla and golden syrup together until light and fluffy.  Gradually beat in the eggs one at a time.  If the mixture looks like it is starting to curdle add a tablespoon or two of flour to stabilise the mixture.

Once the eggs are incorporated fold through the flour, cocoa and ground almonds.  Spoon the mixture into the tins and smooth the top.  Bake in the preheated oven for 30 - 35 minutes or until a skewer inserted into the centre of the cakes comes out clean.

Remove the cakes from the tins and cool on a wire rack.  Sandwich the cakes together with icing then spread the remainder over the top and sides of the cake.  8yo decided to grate white chocolate on top of the cake followed by a generous helping of golden and dark chocolate popping candy sprinkles.

8yo took an Instagram photo just before the cake was devoured, apologies for the bad lighting.

4 comments Basics, Cakes, Puddings, Snack, Snacks