Rich and dark chocolate and ale cake recipe

Details

• Cuisine: British
• Recipe Type: Cake
• Difficulty: Easy
• Preparation Time: 20 mins
• Cooking Time: 25 mins
• Serves: 8

Step-by-step

1. Preheat the oven 180°C/fan oven 160°C/gas mark 4. Grease and line the base of 2 x 22cm round cake-tins, with non-stick baking parchment.
2. Sift the flour, baking powder and bicarbonate of soda into a large mixing bowl or the bowl of a freestanding mixer.
3. Add all the other ingredients, except the ale. Either using an electric hand whisk or the freestanding mixer combine all the ingredients for about one minute until you have a smooth creamy consistency. Add the ale a little at a time until thoroughly combined.
4. Divide the mixture between the two prepared tins and bake for about 30–35 minutes. The cakes are cooked when pressed lightly with your little finger and the center springs back.
5. Place on a cooling rack and leave to cool for 5 minutes before removing from the tin and cooling further on a cooling rack.
6. To make the icing: melt the chocolate in the microwave - 2-3 minutes on medium should do it - or in a bowl sitting over a pan of simmering water, and let cool slightly.
7. Beat the softened butter, gradually adding the icing sugar a spoonful at a time. Once all the icing sugar has been added, whisk the icing for about 5 minutes on a high speed with an electric whisk until light and fluffy.
8. Add the ale and mix thoroughly. Add the melted chocolate and beat until everything is glossy and smooth.
9. Spread or pipe half the icing onto the bottom layer, top with the other cake, spreading the remaining icing on top.