Desserts Recipes - Mud Cake Recipe

Ingredients

Serves 6-8

• 225g/8oz butter

• 225g/8oz dark chocolate (chopped)

• 2 tablespoons instant coffee powder

• 175ml/6fl oz hot water

• 150g/5oz self-raising flour

• 150g/5oz plain flour

• 50g/2oz cocoa powder

• 1/2 teaspoon bicarbonate of soda

• 550g/1lb 4oz caster sugar

• 4 eggs (lightly beaten)

• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil

• 125ml/4fl oz buttermilk

For the icing:

• 150g/5oz unsalted butter (chopped)

• 150g/5oz dark chocolate (chopped)

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Method:

1. Preheat the oven to 160°C/325°F/Gas mark 3. Lightly grease a deep 23cm/9in round cake tin and line with baking parchment, making sure the paper around the side extends at least 5cm/2in above the top edge.

2. Put the butter, chocolate and coffee in a pan with the hot water and stir over a low heat until smooth. Remove from the heat.

3. Sift the flours, cocoa and bicarbonate of soda into a large bowl. Stir in the sugar and make a well in the centre.

4. Combine the eggs, oil and buttermilk, add the dry ingredients and, using a large metal spoon, slowly stir them in. Gradually stir in the butter mixture.

5. Pour the mixture into the tin and bake for 1 1/2 hours. Remove from the oven. If the top looks raw, bake for another 5 to 10 minutes, then remove. Leave in the tin until completely cold, then turn out.

6. For the icing, combine the butter and chocolate in a saucepan and stir over a low heat until melted.

7. Remove and allow to cool slightly. Spread over the cake and serve.