FLAN WITH CHOCOLATE CAKE RECIPES

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 180C/160C Fan/Gas 4. Grease and lightly flour a 23cm/9in Bundt tin. Find a roasting tin big enough to hold the Bundt tin comfortably and deep enough for water to come two-thirds of the way up the side of the Bundt tin. Pop a tea towel in the base of the roasting tin.
• To make the caramel layer, put the salted caramel in a microwaveable dish and warm for about 20 seconds or just long enough to make it runny. Pour into the base of the Bundt tin, avoiding drips on the sides. Tap on the worktop to level the surface.
• To make the cake layer, whisk the butter and sugar in a bowl until really light and fluffy. Add the egg and vanilla extract and mix to combine.
• In a separate bowl, add the flour, cocoa, bicarbonate of soda and baking powder and mix thoroughly.
• Spoon the coffee into a small bowl, add a few tablespoons of the milk and heat for a few seconds in the microwave or in a small saucepan on a medium heat, until the coffee has dissolved. Pour the coffee into the remaining milk and stir through.
• Sift a third of the flour mixture into the butter mixture and fold in with a large metal spoon. Fold in a third of the coffee-flavoured milk, then repeat until all the flour and milk has been mixed in and is smooth.
• Spoon the cake mixture over the salted caramel in the tin, tap the tin on the work surface to remove any bubbles and make sure the top is level. Put the Bundt tin in the centre of the roasting tin.
• To make the crème caramel, mix the evaporated milk, condensed milk, eggs, vanilla and salt in a food processor until smooth. Pour over the back of a spoon, over the top of the cake batter.
• Have a jug of hot water ready. Put the roasting tin with the Bundt tin into the oven. Before you close the door, pour the water straight onto the tea towel in the roasting tin, making sure the water reaches at least two-thirds of the way up the side of the Bundt tin.
• Bake for 1 hour and don’t be tempted to open the oven. Remove from the oven and leave to cool in the tin for another hour. Flip over onto a serving dish, cut into slices and serve.

Steps:

• Make the cake: Set a rack in the center of the oven and heat oven to 350 degrees. Generously grease an 8-by-8-inch square or 9-inch round light-colored metal baking pan with oil. 
• In a large bowl, combine the granulated sugar and eggs. Use a whisk or an electric mixer to beat the mixture until foamy and slightly lighter in texture and color, 1 to 2 minutes. Add the sour cream, 1/2 cup oil, vanilla and salt, and whisk until combined and smooth, about 1 minute. 
• Whisk in the cocoa powder until combined. Add the flour, baking powder and baking soda, and whisk until combined and no streaks of flour remain. Stir the espresso powder into the hot water, then add the mixture to the bowl. Whisk until incorporated.
• Pour the batter into the prepared pan and tap on the counter a few times to release any large air bubbles. Bake until puffed and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, 35 to 40 minutes. Let the cake cool in the pan set on a rack for about 45 minutes.
• While the cake bakes, clean the mixing bowl and make the frosting: Add the butter to the bowl and mix on medium-high with an electric mixer until smooth, stopping the mixer occasionally to scrape the bottom and sides of the bowl. Turn the speed to low, and slowly add the confectioners’ sugar. Mix until the sugar is moistened, then add 2 teaspoons of the cream, the vanilla extract, 3/4 teaspoon peppermint extract and salt. Turn the speed up to medium-high, and whip until smooth and fluffy, about 3 minutes, adding a bit more cream a teaspoon at a time, if necessary, to make a smooth and light frosting. Taste the frosting, and add a few more drops of peppermint extract if desired. The frosting can be kept at room temperature while the cake finishes baking and cooling.
• Top the cooled cake with an even layer of frosting, then use the tip of a toothpick to dot the frosting with a few small dots of gel food coloring, if using. Use a spoon or offset spatula to swirl the food coloring into the frosting to create candy cane-like stripes — just a few swipes will do the trick. If you mix it in too much, the frosting will turn pink. Top the cake with sprinkles and shaved chocolate, if desired. Store leftover cake loosely covered at room temperature for up to 3 days.