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 and Martha Collison.
Preparation time: 25 mins
Cooking time: 55 mins
Total time: 1 hr 20 mins
Serves: 12
Ingredients
125g butter, melted, plus extra for greasing
250g plain flour
200g caster sugar
150g light brown soft sugar
75g cocoa powder
2 tsp bicarbonate of soda
284ml tub buttermilk
2 medium eggs
150ml strong brewed coffee, cooled
For the ganache icing
150g dark chocolate, chopped
25g butter
50ml double cream
To decorate
2-3 x 90g packets mini eggs
100g mini salted pretzels
Method
1. Preheat the oven to 160°C, gas mark 3 and grease a 23cm savarin or bundt tin thoroughly with butter.
2. Put the flour, caster sugar, brown sugar, cocoa powder and bicarbonate of soda into a large bowl and stir to combine.
3. Whisk the buttermilk into the melted butter and then beat in the eggs. Pour in the coffee and whisk again to combine.
4. Pour the wet mixture into the dry ingredients, whisking until a smooth batter has formed. Scrape the cake mixture into the prepared tin and smooth the top with a spatula.
5. Bake for 50-55 minutes until risen and a skewer inserted comes out clean. Allow to cool for 5 minutes, then immediately invert and turn out onto a wire rack, allowing the cake to cool completely. If you let the cake get too cool before removing the tin, it may get stuck, so be sure to turn it out whilst it is still warm.
6. To make the icing, place the chopped chocolate and butter into a heatproof bowl and melt together until smooth over a pan of simmering water or in the microwave. Stir in the cream and allow to cool briefly before using to decorate.
7. When you are ready to assemble the cake, transfer the sponge onto a serving plate. Spread the ganache generously over the top of the ring.
8. Crush the pretzels so they resemble twigs, then scatter over the ganache topping. Fill the centre of the cake with mini eggs, then serve immediately.
