Ingredients
Method
Preparation
- Preheat your oven to 150°C (300°F) for a fan oven or 160°C (320°F) for a standard oven. Grease and line a 20 cm (8 inch) round cake tin.
Melting Chocolate and Butter
- In a large, heat-proof bowl, combine the finely chopped butter and 200 g of dark chocolate. Microwave on high for one minute, then stir well. Microwave again for another 30 seconds until completely smooth and melted.
Combine Ingredients
- Once melted, add the caster sugar, brown sugar, and optional coffee granules. Mix thoroughly, then pour in milk, add the eggs, and stir in vanilla essence.
Add Dry Ingredients
- Sift over the plain flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt into the bowl. Stir until the batter is well combined.
Bake the Cake
- Pour the batter into the prepared cake tin and bake for 80-90 minutes, or until a skewer comes out with a few moist crumbs.
Cool Down
- Allow the cake to cool in the tin for 20 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
Prepare Ganache
- In a small heat-proof jug, stir together milk and cream. Microwave until it just begins to bubble, then pour this over the finely chopped chocolate. Let it sit for 5 minutes before stirring until smooth.
Final Touch
- Level the top of the cooled cake using a large serrated knife, and pour the ganache evenly over the cake.
- Refrigerate for 2 hours until firm.
Serve
- Slice the cake and enjoy plain or with fresh berries or whipped cream.
Notes
Make ahead to allow flavors to develop overnight. Avoid overbaking for a moister cake. For a thicker ganache, increase chocolate amount or decrease cream.
