Devil's Food Cake Recipe

Ingredients

450g (1lb) plain flour

2tsp bicarbonate of soda

2tsp baking powder

good pinch of salt

300ml (½pt) hot, strong coffee

200g (7oz) dark chocolate, roughly chopped

350g (12oz) unsalted butter, softened

400g (14oz) caster sugar

4 large free-range eggs, lightly beaten

FOR THE GANACHE

600ml (1pt) double cream

¼-½tsp chilli powder

600g (1lb 5oz) dark chocolate, roughly chopped

TO DECORATE

100g (4oz) dark chocolate thins (we used M&S Swiss dark chocolate thins)

edible glitter

2tbsp freeze-dried raspberries

YOU WILL NEED

5 x 20cm (8in) sandwich tins greased, and the bases and sides lined with baking parchment (or you can make the sponges in 2 or 3 batches)

Method

1. Heat the oven to 180C, 160C fan, 350F, gas 4. Sift the flour, bocarbonate of soda, baking powder and salt in a bowl; set aside. Pour the coffee over the chocolate pieces in a small bowl, allow to melt then mix to combine. Set aside to cool.

2. Cream the butter and sugar intil pale, then gradually beat in the eggs; you may need to add a few tbsp or flour between additions to avoid curdling. Fold in the flour then fold in the cooled melted chocolate mixture. Divide between the prepared tins and cook for 15 to 20 minutes.

3. Allow the sponges to cool slightly in the tines before removing to a wire rack to cool completely. Meanwhile, amke the ganache. Heat the cream with the chilli powder until hot but not boiling. Adjust the chilli to taste, then pour over the chocolate pieces. Allow to melt then mix until smooth. Set aside to cool slightly.

4. Using a palette knife, spread a layer of ganache on the first sponge, top with another sponge and repeat with remaining layers. Now cover the sides of the cake and top with the ganache. Finish with a layer of chocolate thins running around the middle of the cake, and a dusting of glitter and freeze-dried raspberries on top.