GORGEOUS CHOCOLATE CAKE RECIPES

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 180ºC (fan 160ºC/350ºF/Gas 4). Grease the sandwich tins and line the bottom of each with baking parchment. Put the cocoa powder into a large, heatproof bowl. Stir in 6 tablespoons of boiling water, then add the milk. Mix to make a smooth paste (see below, Smooth mixture).

  Add the remaining cake ingredients and combine using an electric hand whisk for 1–2 minutes only (or 3 minutes with a wooden spoon); do not over-mix, or the cake may not rise.

  Divide the cake mixture equally between the prepared tins and level the tops. Bake for 25–30 minutes or until the cakes shrink away from the side of the tin and spring back when lightly pressed in the centre. Let the cakes cool for a few minutes in their tins, then turn them out and peel off the paper. Turn the cakes the right way up and leave to cool on a wire rack.

  Make the filling and topping: sift the icing sugar into a large bowl. Add the butter, stem ginger syrup, and milk, and beat together using an electric hand whisk (or wooden spoon) until well blended. Transfer one of the cakes to a serving plate and spread half the icing over the top. Place the second cake over the filling and cover the top with the remaining icing. (See below, Evenly iced cakes.) Use the palette knife to draw large “S” shapes to give a swirl effect, then decorate the edge with the shredded stem ginger.

  KEYS TO PERFECTION

  Smooth mixture

  Cocoa powder can be lumpy, so mix it to a smooth paste with boiling water, then milk before adding the remaining ingredients. Use a wooden spoon to break up any lumps.

  Evenly iced cakes

  Make sure the butter for the icing is at room temperature, so it will spread easily. Use equal amounts of icing between the layers and on top of the cake, and cover right to the edges.

  Buying and using cocoa powder

  This cake looks and tastes very chocolatey, but it doesn’t actually contain any chocolate – it’s made with cocoa powder. Buy a good-quality cocoa powder, preferably an organic one. This will be darker than the less expensive varieties, and will ensure that your cake has a deep, rich chocolate colour and flavour.

  You will need: 2 loose-bottomed, round sandwich tins, 20cm (8in) diameter and 4.5cm (13/4in) deep

  Mary Berry Cooks the Perfect is published in paperback with an exclusive tote bag on 3 November. DK, £20.

Steps:

• Make the Cake: Preheat oven to 350°F. Line the bottom of a 9-inch springform pan with parchment paper and grease with cooking spray. Set aside. In a bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, and cocoa powder until well combined. In a separate large bowl, whisk together brown sugar, coffee, oil, and vinegar until sugar is dissolved. Add dry ingredients to wet ingredients and stir until completely incorporated. Pour into prepared springform pan and bake until a toothpick inserted comes out clean, about 35 minutes. Set aside to cool.
• Make the Mousse: Heat 1 cup cream over medium-high until just beginning to steam. Remove from heat. Whisk together egg yolks and sugar in a bowl and slowly stream in half of the hot cream while whisking. Add egg yolk mixture into saucepan with remaining hot cream and whisk to combine. Return to medium-high heat, whisking constantly until slightly thickened and mixture begins to boil. Remove from heat and whisk in melted chocolate until completely smooth. Set aside to cool to room temperature, about 1 hour and 15 minutes. Whip the remaining 1 cup cream with the powdered sugar. In 3 additions, fold the cream into the chocolate with a spatula. Pour over top of cake layer in springform pan and smooth the surface with a spatula. Refrigerate for 5 hours or overnight, until the mousse is completely set.
• Make Ganache: Heat cream in a saucepan until just beginning to steam. Remove from heat and add chocolate. Let sit for 2 minutes before stirring to fully melt the chocolate into the cream. Allow to cool to room temperature. (Note: Do not refrigerate.)
• Assemble the Cake: Take a hot wet towel and run it around the outside of the springform pan a few times to loosen the cake. Open the pan, gently remove the base and parchment paper, and move the cake to a platter. Spread the cooled chocolate ganache over the top of the cake and garnish with fresh berries and whipped cream if desired.