MALTESERS CHOCOLATE CAKE

MALTESERS CHOCOLATE CAKE
Serves 12
Prep 30 mins (+ cooling & 1½ hours standing time) Cooking 1 hour 5 mins
200g (1 cup, firmly packed) brown sugar
185ml (¾ cup) milk
125g butter, chopped
115g (¾ cup) self-raising flour
75g (½ cup) plain flour
50g (½ cup) cocoa powder
3 eggs, lightly whisked
185g butter, extra, at room temperature
345g (2¼ cups) icing sugar mixture
95g (¾ cup) malted milk powder
1 tbs milk, extra
465g Maltesers
300g dark cooking chocolate, finely chopped
125ml (½ cup) thickened cream
30g butter
1. Preheat oven to 160°C. Grease a 20cm round cake pan with butter. Line base and side with baking paper.
2. Place the brown sugar, milk and butter in a microwave-safe bowl. Cook in microwave on high, stirring every minute, for 4-5 minutes or until the butter melts and the mixture is smooth.

3. Use a balloon whisk to whisk the combined flour and cocoa powder into the butter mixture. Whisk in the egg. Pour into the prepared pan. Bake for 55 minutes or until a skewer inserted into the centre comes out clean. Set aside in the pan for 5 minutes to cool before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.

4. To make the ganache, place the chocolate, cream and butter in a microwave-safe bowl. Cook in microwave on high, stirring every minute, for 2-3 minutes or until the chocolate melts and the mixture is smooth.

5. Use an electric beater to beat the extra butter in a bowl until pale and creamy. Beat in the icing sugar, malted milk powder and extra milk until fluffy. Beat 1½ tbs ganache.

6. Set the remaining ganache aside for 1 hour 30 minutes or until thick, glossy and spreadable.

7. Meanwhile, use a large serrated knife to cut the cake horizontally into four layers. Place the cake base on a platter. Spread with one-third of the icing. Continue layering with the remaining cake and icing, finishing with cake. Cover and place in the fridge for 1 hour 30 minutes to chill.

8. Spread the ganache evenly over the top and side of the cake. Decorate with Maltesers. Marieta van Bladeren18/4/13