Easter is traditionally a time to bake hot cross buns, chocolate nests and simnel cake.
With that in mind, we decided to hunt for some of the nation’s most popular Easter baking recipes to ensure you’ve got all the inspiration you need for some home bakes of your own this spring.
This one comes courtesy of Waitrose.
Preparation time: 25 mins
Cooking time: 30 mins
Total time: 55 mins
Serves: 20
Ingredients
175ml sunflower oil, plus extra for brushing
225g plain flour
75g cocoa powder
300g caster sugar
2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp bicarbonate of soda
½ tsp fine salt, plus a pinch
2 large eggs
175ml whole milk, plus 2 tbsp warmed
125g unsalted butter, softened
125g icing sugar
20g cocoa powder
2 x 80g packs Mini Eggs, roughly chopped
Method
1. Preheat the oven to 180˚C, gas mark 4, then brush a 34cm x 22cm (or similar size) cake tin with a little oil and line with baking parchment.
2. In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, cocoa, sugar, raising agents and ½ tsp salt.
3. In another mixing bowl, whisk the oil and eggs until combined, then whisk in 175ml milk.
4. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry and whisk until combined.
5. Carefully pour over 150ml just-boiled water and mix until combined, then tip the batter into the tin and bake for 25-30 minutes or until a skewer inserted into the centre comes out clean.
6. Set aside to cool in the tin.
7. For the topping, use electric beaters to whisk the butter until light and fluffy. Sift in the icing sugar and cocoa and stir until combined.
8. Add the warmed milk and pinch of salt and beat on high for 1-2 minutes until silky and light. Spread over the cake and scatter with the chopped Mini Eggs.
Cook’s tip
If you don’t have time to make the topping, try using ready-made chocolate icing instead.
