Cascading chocolate truffle cake

Name: Cascading chocolate truffle cake
Ingredients: 75 g self-raising flour; 200 g plain flour; 50 g cocoa powder; 1 tsp baking powder; 175 g unsalted butter (softened); 300 g caster sugar; 4 free-range eggs (beaten); 200 ml sour cream; 300 ml double cream; 300 g dark chocolate (broken into pieces); 15 g unsalted butter; 1 tbsp creme de cocoa; 40 g cocoa powder (sieved); 40 g icing sugar (sieved); 65 g chocolate-coated popping candy; 50 g chocolate sprinkles; 700 g chocolate flavoured frosting; 100 g plain cooking chocolate (broken into pieces); milk chocolate finger biscuits; white chocolate finger biscuits

Whether you're baking as a gift for someone or if you're hosting a party, you're sure to impress with this masterpiece cascading chocolate truffle cake!

Brought to you by Lakeland

If you're searching for a real showstopper of a bake, this cascading chocolate truffle cake could be just what you're looking for!

Comprising a rich chocolate cake, a plethora of chocolate truffles and an impressive decorative trick, this showstopper will make any celebration special. Take a look at the recipe from Lakeland below - enjoy!

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Ingredients

For the cake:

75 g self-raising flour
200 g plain flour
50 g cocoa powder
1 tsp baking powder
175 g unsalted butter (softened)
300 g caster sugar
4 free-range eggs (beaten)
200 ml sour cream

For the truffles:

300 ml double cream
300 g dark chocolate (broken into pieces)
15 g unsalted butter
1 tbsp creme de cocoa
40 g cocoa powder (sieved)
40 g icing sugar (sieved)
65 g chocolate-coated popping candy
50 g chocolate sprinkles

To decorate

700 g chocolate flavoured frosting
100 g plain cooking chocolate (broken into pieces)
milk chocolate finger biscuits
white chocolate finger biscuits

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 180°C/Gas Mark 4. Grease a 23cm (9in) loose-based deep round tin with a little butter. 

Sieve the flours, cocoa and baking powder into a mixing bowl. In another bowl, beat the butter and sugar with an electric whisk until soft. Gradually beat in the eggs, adding a spoonful of the flour mixture between each addition. Add the sour cream and beat for a few seconds until combined, then fold in the remaining flour. 

Spoon the cake mixture into the tin, level with the back of a spoon, then bake for 55 minutes, or until well risen and firm to touch. To check that the cake is cooked, insert a skewer into the centre – it should come out clean. Allow the cake to stand in the tin for 10 minutes, then turn out onto a wire rack and leave to cool completely.

To make the truffles, gently heat the cream in a small pan, but do not boil. Place the chocolate into a bowl, pour the cream over and mix using a small whisk until the chocolate has melted. Add the butter and creme de cocoa, whisk until combined, then cool. 

Place the cocoa, icing sugar, popping candy and sprinkles onto a saucer each, then, in batches, roll the truffle mixture into approx. 80 small balls the size of a cherry. Carefully toss each truffle in one of the coatings, then set aside on a tray lined with parchment in the fridge until needed. 

To assemble, slice the cake horizontally using a serrated knife. Spread one-third of the frosting on the flat surface of one half, then sandwich both parts together. Add one of the rods to the base plate of the anti-gravity kit, press the cake gently down over the rod and onto the base, then add the second rod and a corner piece. Place the chocolate in a heatproof bowl and melt over a pan of simmering water without allowing the base of the bowl to touch the water. Thickly coat the upright structure with melted chocolate. 

Taking care to avoid cooling the chocolate until it has hardened completely, cover the cake in the remaining frosting and use a palette knife to smooth the top and sides. Gently press the chocolate fingers onto the side of the cake, making an alternate pattern with milk and white chocolate fingers. 

Build the truffle cascade on top of the cake from the bottom of the rod upwards, using small amounts of the remaining melted chocolate to attach them to the rod. Allow each one to set before adding the next. Place the remaining truffles on the top of the cake. Balance a presentation box on the top of the angled rod, using a little melted chocolate to hold it in place, ensuring that it is tipping up to look like the truffles are cascading out of the box.