Ginger and chocolate cake

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SERVES 10

  • 200g (7oz) butter (room temperature), plus extra for greasing
  • 50g (1¾ oz) fair trade cocoa powder
  • 4tbsp full-fat or semi-skimmed milk
  • 3free range eggs
  • 175g (6oz) self-raising flour
  • 1tsp baking powder
  • 1tsp ground ginger
  • 250g (9oz) fair trade caster sugar
  • 2 pieces of stem ginger, finely chopped

For the filling and topping

  • 225g (8oz) icing sugar
  • 115g (4oz) butter (room temperature)
  • 2 tbsp stem ginger syrup
  • 1 tbsp full-fat or semi-skimmed milk
  • 2 pieces of stem ginger, finely shredded
  • 2 round sandwich tins, 20cm (8in) diameter and 4.5cm (1¾ in) deep

Preheat the oven to 180°C (160°C fan/350°F/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.

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 sides of the tins 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. Decorate the edge with the shredded stem ginger.

This ginger and chocolate cake would be a scrumptious addition to any tea party or celebration!

From Mary Berry at Mail Online