Name: Salted chocolate layer cake with whipped ganache
Prep time: 45 min
Cook time: 35 min
Total time: 80 min
Yield: 12 - 16
Ingredients: 150 gm dark chocolate (54-58% cocoa solids), finely chopped; 100 gm dark chocolate (70% cocoa solids), finely chopped; 250 gm butter, diced; 300 gm (2 cups) plain flour; 165 gm (¾ cup) brown sugar; 165 gm (¾ cup) caster sugar; 75 gm almond meal; 40 gm Dutch-process cocoa, sifted, plus extra for dusting; 2½ tsp baking powder; 375 ml (1½ cups) milk; 4 eggs; Whisky, for brushing; Chocolate curls, chocolate wafer balls and chocolate-coated honeycomb, to serve; Whipped milk chocolate ganache; 200 ml pouring cream; 60 ml (¼ cup) whisky; 250 gm milk chocolate, finely chopped; 250 gm dark chocolate (54-58% cocoa solids), finely chopped; 4 egg yolks

A slug of whisky adds grown-up flavour to this showstopper of a cake. It’s an excellent special-occasion cake – not only because of its looks, but also because you can prepare it in advance. Top it with whatever chocolatey garnishes take your fancy. We’ve opted for shards of chocolate-coated honeycomb, chocolate wafer balls and chocolate curls for a mix of textures.

Ingredients

150 gm dark chocolate (54-58% cocoa solids), finely chopped

100 gm dark chocolate (70% cocoa solids), finely chopped

250 gm butter, diced

300 gm (2 cups) plain flour

165 gm (¾ cup) brown sugar

165 gm (¾ cup) caster sugar

75 gm almond meal

40 gm Dutch-process cocoa, sifted, plus extra for dusting

2½ tsp baking powder

375 ml (1½ cups) milk

4 eggs

Whisky, for brushing

Chocolate curls, chocolate wafer balls and chocolate-coated honeycomb, to serve

Whipped milk chocolate ganache

200 ml pouring cream

60 ml (¼ cup) whisky

250 gm milk chocolate, finely chopped

250 gm dark chocolate (54-58% cocoa solids), finely chopped

4 egg yolks

Method

1.Preheat oven to 180°C. Butter three 21cm-diameter springform cake tins and line them with baking paper. Combine chocolates and butter in a heatproof bowl and melt over a saucepan of simmering water, stirring occasionally, until smooth. Combine dry ingredients and 2½ tsp sea salt flakes in a bowl, then add chocolate mixture, milk and eggs and whisk until smooth. Divide evenly among prepared tins and bake until a skewer inserted withdraws clean (25-30 minutes). Cool in tins for 15 minutes then turn out onto a wire rack to cool completely.

2.For ganache, bring cream and half the whisky to a simmer in a saucepan over medium-high heat. Place chocolate in a large bowl, pour hot cream mixture over, stand for 5 minutes, then whisk until smooth. Whisk yolks and remaining whisky in a heatproof bowl over a saucepan of simmering water until thick and pale (4-5 minutes). Remove from heat and whisk in chocolate mixture, then transfer to an electric mixer and whisk until thick and cooled to room temperature (8-10 minutes). Refrigerate mixture, whisking occasionally, until thick but spreadable (30-40 minutes).

3.Trim the top of each cake flat. Place one cake on a cake stand or serving plate, brush with a little whisky, spread with one-fifth of whipped ganache, then top with another cake. Continue layering, finishing with a layer of ganache, then spread remaining ganache around the sides with a palette knife to neaten. Refrigerate for 1 hour to set.

4.Dust cake with cocoa, top with chocolate curls, chocolate wafer balls, crushed chocolate-coated honeycomb and a little extra sea salt and serve.

Styling by Emma Knowles