What is a mud cake? How is it different?

A mud cake is a cake that is so dense, dark and chocolatey that it supposedly resembles mud. Whilst I don’t quite think that’s true, it is really one of the most luxurious and rich chocolate cakes rather than being bouncy and airy. A regular sponge cake is usually baked at a higher temperature like 180-190 degrees and much quicker which allows for a bigger rise and an airier crumb whereas mud cakes are cooked at a lower temp for longer which gives it a tighter crumb, and a more dense, rich outcome.

Do I have to use raspberries in this Chocolate and Raspberry Cake?

Not at all - although, of course, it wouldn’t be a Chocolate Raspberry Cake. I have had great success with hulled and sliced strawberries and pitted cherries. Just make sure you switch up the jam to complement (e.g. using strawberry jam or cherry compote instead).

Raspberry and Chocolate Cake

Name: Chocolate and Raspberry Cake
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 1 h
Total time: PT-484046H7M41S
Cuisine: Global
Ingredients: 150g plain flour; 50g cocoa powder; ¼ tsp bicarbonate of soda; 1 tsp salt; 3 eggs; 240g caster sugar; 160g milk chocolate, melted; 110ml vegetable oil; 200ml water; 600ml double cream; 2 heaped tablespoons of sieved icing sugar; 1 heaped tablespoon of good quality matcha (you might need more depending on your matcha - do it to taste); 600g approx of raspberries; 3 tbsp raspberry jam

Chocolate and Raspberry Cake

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So delicious, this chocolate and raspberry cake has matcha cream piled on top which balances the flavours so well.

Author: Margie
Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 60 minutes
Total Time: 60 minutes + cooling
Yield: Serves 10-12 1x
Category: Dessert
Method: Oven
Cuisine: Global

Ingredients

Scale

For the cake:

150g plain flour
50g cocoa powder
¼ tsp bicarbonate of soda
1 tsp salt
3 eggs
240g caster sugar
160g milk chocolate, melted
110ml vegetable oil
200ml water

For the whipped cream:

600ml double cream
2 heaped tablespoons of sieved icing sugar
1 heaped tablespoon of good quality matcha (you might need more depending on your matcha - do it to taste)

For the topping:

600g approx of raspberries
3 tbsp raspberry jam

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Instructions

Preheat your oven to 150°C fan. Line an 8-inch round tin with baking paper and spray with oil.
Add the eggs and sugar to the bowl of your stand mixer or use an electric beater to beat until light and foamy. This will take about five minutes.
While the mixer runs on a low speed, slowly pour in the melted chocolate and oil. Scrape down the sides of the bowl and then add flour, cocoa, bicarbonate of soda and salt to the mixture.
Pour in the water. Mix until combined, scrape down the sides of the bowl and continue mixing to ensure there are no lumps in your batter.
Pour the batter into your tin. Bake for 60-70 minutes or until a skewer inserted into the middle of the cake comes out clean. Remove from the oven and leave to cool completely in the tin. (I usually do this the night before)
Mix together the icing sugar and double cream and pour 2/3 of it into a bowl and set this aside. Whip the smaller amount to soft peaks.
Carefully slice the cake in two. I like to use multiple fish slices/spatulas under the slice and move it at once. Get another pair of hands to help you if you can. Spread the bottom piece generously with raspberry jam. Arrange raspberries in one layer around the outside and fill the middle with the whipped cream.
Sandwich the cakes together.
Whip the remainder of the cream with the matcha until it’s thickened. Scoop this matcha whipped cream on top of the cake. Scatter over more raspberries, fresh mint and grated chocolate.
Serve and enjoy!

Notes

Scroll up for a step by step guide on how to make this raspberry and chocolate cake.

To store: Keep in an airtight cake tin or well-wrapped in clingfilm in the fridge for up to 3 days. Remove from the fridge 20 minutes before eating as it's better room temperature rather than fridge cold!

To freeze: You can freeze the sponge. Leave to cool and wrap tightly in clingfilm. Place in the freezer for up to 3 months. When ready to use, take out of the freezer the night before and allow to thaw overnight at room temp

Make ahead: You can make the full cake a day in advance. Cover and place in the fridge then remove from the fridge 30 minutes before serving so it has time to come to room temperature. If talking about only the sponge, I tend to bake the sponge a day ahead and let it cool completely in the tin as this gives it a great fudgy texture. Then decorate on the day you want to serve. You could make the cake a few days in advance but if you’re leaving it longer than just one night, make sure you wrap the cake in clingfilm or store in an airtight container. You can whip the cream a day ahead. Place in an airtight container in the fridge. Bring to room temperature before using.

Fruit: although this is a Chocolate Raspberry Cake, it is equally delicious with all sorts of berries. Hulled and sliced strawberries or pitted cherries both look and taste wonderful too. Remember to switch up the raspberry jam to match the fruit - e.g. opting for a strawberry jam or cherry compote instead.

Matcha cream: you can skip the matcha if you want to use plain sweetened whipped cream. If using, the amount you use will depend on the type of matcha powder you have so just taste as you go. Adding a drop of green food colouring would make the cream bright green on top of the cake, so if you want a bright colour, you could try this!

Find it online: https://desertislanddishes.co/chocolate-raspberry-cake/