Preparation time: 15 minutes; Baking time: 25-30 (sandwich pans) or 1 hour (loaf pan); Makes: 2 x 8-inch (20cm) sandwich cakes or 1 x 9 x 5 inch (23 x 13) loaf pan

Instructions

• 190g (6.7oz, 1½ cups) all-purpose flour 
• 3 teaspoons baking powder
• 50g (1.7oz, ½ scant cup) cocoa powder
• 6 tablespoons boiling water
• 3  eggs
• 100g (3.5oz, 7 tablespoons) margarine or unsalted butter, room temperature
• 300g (1½ cups, 10oz) granulated sugar
• ¼ cup (4 tablespoons) milk
• Icing (confectioner’s) sugar, to dust the cake

Ingredients for ganache

• 150ml (5fl oz, ⅔ cup) whipping cream (35%)
• 150g (5oz) dark chocolate, broken into small pieces
• 3 tablespoons apricot jam

Instructions

1. Sift the flour and baking powder and set aside. Preheat the oven to 320ºF (160ºC) if using 2 x 8-inch (20cm) round sandwich pans or 300ºF (150ºC) if using a 9 x 5-inch (23 x 13cm) loaf pan.
2. Sift the cocoa powder into the bowl of a stand mixer. Add the boiling water and using the paddle attachment beat the cocoa and boiling water until it forms a paste. Add the rest of the ingredients in the following order: eggs, margarine or butter, sugar, sifted flour, and milk. Now beat on low speed then gradually increase the speed to medium and beat until pale, smooth and glossy, about 3 minutes. The mixture will be pourable.
3. Loaf pan: Pour the batter into the prepared pan(s) and bake 50-60 minutes or until the cake shrinks from the sides and a skewer inserted in the centre comes out clean.
4. Sandwich pans: divide the mixture into two and pour into 2 x 8-inch sandwich pans. Bake 25-30 minutes or until the cakes shrink from the side and a skewer inserted in the middle comes out clean.
5. To make the ganache: heat the cream until it almost boils then remove from the heat. Add the chocolate and stir continuously until it melts. Set aside to cool to a spreadable consistency.
6. To fill and ice the cake: spread the bottom cake with half the jam and then spread with half the ganache. Place the second cake over the filling then spread the top with the remaining jam and the remaining ganache.
7. For cup measures: spoon the flour into the cup, heaping it up over the top, then slide a knife across the top to level off the extra. Be careful not to shake or tap the cup to settle down the flour or you will have more than you need. I use a 240ml American cup.

Points to Note:

1. Please note that oven temperatures are given as a guideline only. You may need to add or reduce the suggested temperature depending on your oven. I baked the 9 x 5 inch loaf at 300ºF (150ºC) for 60 minutes. 
2. Do not use high temperature for baking the loaf pan chocolate cake, it will turn out dry and unpleasant.
3. Last updated: September 24 2022

myfavouritepastime.com