Halloween Fun: Frankenstein Layer Cake

Chocolate Frankenstein Cake! Okay, so he may not be so scary, but I mean how cute is he? This Frankenstein cake is the perfect Halloween dessert! It is sure to surprise and delight kids as well as adults. A decadent eggless dark chocolate sponge smothered in matcha frosting elevate the flavours.

Ingredients:

For the chocolate sponge layers:

· 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour

· ¼ cup cocoa powder

· 1 teaspoon Baking soda

· ¼ teaspoon salt

· ¾ cup sugar

· 1 cup water

· ¼ cup vegetable oil or melted butter

· 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar

· 1 teaspoon granulated coffee

For the frosting:

· 125 grams butter, softened not melted

· ¼ cup cold fresh cream

· ½ cup icing sugar

· 2 tablespoons matcha powder/ 2-3 drops pf organic green food gel

· 2-3 tablespoons dark chocolate chips

For decoration:

· ½ cup melted dark chocolate ganache – 100 grams dark chocolate and 2 tablespoons heavy cream

· White chocolate buttons – melt a milky bar in the microwave, once it cools and reached a thick consistency shape it into two round buttons for eyes

· Two chocolate covered dates or one mars bar cut into half for ears

Method:

Preparing the sponge:

1. Preheat the oven to 170 C.

2. To a mixing bowl, add flour, cocoa powder, salt, baking soda and coffee.

3. Whisk to combine.

4. Add sugar and mix it well.

5. To the bowl, add oil, vinegar and water.

6. Gently begin to mix using a whisk or spatula. Do not over mix.

7. Grease and line 2 round 6 inches cake pans.

8. Divide the runny batter in equal parts and pour into the cake pans.

9. Bake for 35 minutes.

10. Allow the sponge to cool on a wire rack for 5-8 minutes in the pan.

11. Invert gently on a wire rack. Allow it to cool to room temperature

Note: To check if it is completely baked, insert a skewer in the center of the cake and check. It must come out clean.

Preparing the frosting:

1. With an electrical hand mixer, beat butter and sugar on medium speed till it turns pale and fluffy.

2. This should take you 4-5 minutes.

3. Add the cold fresh cream and beat for another 3-4 minutes.

4. Using a spatula keep scraping the mixture from all corners.

5. Now add in the match powder and using a spatula mix well.

6. Give it a final mix, your frosting is ready when it turns blush green.

Preparing the ganache:

1. In a bowl, add chocolate and heavy cream

2. Microwave for 30-50 seconds

3. Mix till it turns smooth and allow it to rest till it reaches desired thickness

Assembling and decorating the cake:

1. Stack and frost the cake layers on a greaseproof cake board.

2. Use a dab of frosting to help stick the first cake layer to the board.

3. Spread an even layer of frosting between each cake layer.

4. Add a thin coat of frosting around the cake that fully covers the cake layers.

5. Smooth using an offset spatula and/or bench scraper.

6. Cover the cake in a thick, second layer of green frosting.

7. Smooth using an offset spatula and bench scraper.

8. Chill the cake in the fridge until the frosting is firm to the touch.

9. Once chilled and firm, create Frankenstein’s face as shown in the video using all the ingredients under decoration.