Choffee Cake Recipe

I have had a request to publish the Choffee Cake Recipe from my book 'The Cosy Teashop in the Castle'. I had great fun creating this cake, with the help of my lovely friend Julie - who really did run a castle tea rooms! So here it is. Happy Baking!

Choffee Cake Recipe

14oz (400g) self-raising flour

2 teaspoons baking powder

16oz (450g) caster sugar

2oz (50g) cocoa powder – good quality

16oz (450g) soft margarine

8 eggs

2 tbsp coffee essence

Frostings: (See below)

16oz (450g) icing sugar

1.25 oz (30g) cocoa powder

6.5oz (165g) butter

1.5 tbsp coffee essence

For decoration:  Dark and white chocolate curls. (Plus, chocolate coated coffee beans, if you like them.)

You will also need 4 x 20cm (8”) round cake baking pans preferably non-stick, well-greased. With a circle of baking paper popped into the greased base.

Turn oven on to 180C or (160C Fan).

For all-in-one chocolate sponge:

Put 6oz (175g)self-raising flour (sifted), 2oz (50g)cocoa powder (sifted), 1 teaspoon baking powder, 8oz (225g) caster sugar, 8oz (225g) soft margarine, and 4 eggs into a mixing bowl. Beat thoroughly with an electric hand whisk for about 3 minutes, until all the ingredients are fluffy and nicely blended. Pour equally into 2 of your prepared cake tins. Flatten mix a little with a pallet knife.

For all-in-one coffee sponge:

Put 8oz (225g) self-raising flour (sifted), 1 teaspoon baking powder, 8oz (225g )caster sugar, 8oz (225g) soft margarine, and 4 eggs into a mixing bowl. Beat thoroughly with an electric hand whisk for about 3 minutes, until all the ingredients are fluffy and nicely blended. Add 2 tablespoons coffee essence. Pour into the other 2 of your prepared cake tins. Flatten mix a little with a pallet knife.

Bake cakes for 30 – 35mins until nicely risen. Allow to cool slightly then turn out onto wire rack to cool totally.

If they are a little uneven, don’t panic, once turned out  just carefully slice any lumps or bumps away, so they will be able to lie nicely on top of each other!

Chocolate fudge frosting:

2.5 oz (65g) butter

1.2 oz (30g) cocoa powder

3 tbsp  milk

8oz (225g)icing sugar, sifted

Melt the butter in a pan, add the cocoa powder, and cook stirring for one minute. Stir in the milk and icing sugar. Beat well until smooth. Leave to cool until thickened.

Coffee Frosting:

4oz (100g)butter

8oz  (225g) icing sugar

1.5 tablespoons coffee essence

Make sure the butter is softened, beat through the icing sugar and coffee essence (an electric hand whisk ideal for this again), until light and fluffy and well blended.

Layering the cake:

Place a chocolate sponge on a circular cake base or stand. Take half the coffee frosting and spread carefully with a knife over the sponge, checking it reaches to the sides evenly.

* Julie’s star tip - If the frosting is difficult to work with, lifting sponge and sticking to knife, have a mug of boiling water to hand, dip knife in every now and again and hey presto the frosting becomes easy to work with!

Place a coffee sponge on top of that. Then spread with half the chocolate frosting.

Layer another chocolate sponge. Spread with the second half of the coffee frosting.

Top with a coffee sponge. Spread carefully with the remaining chocolate frosting.

DO NOT COVER THE SIDES OF THE CAKE! We should see the layering.

Top with chocolate curls made of both dark and white chocolate, and if you like them about 10 chocolate coffee beans dotted around the edge. Enjoy with friends!