How to bake a 1-hour chocolate birthday cake
A showstopping birthday cake ready in an hour? Yes, it can be done! If you’re new to baking or just short on time but want to make something special for your friend or family’s birthday, this is the recipe for you. With a fluffy all-in-one chocolate sponge, creamy chocolate icing and simple decoration, this is your new go-to cake recipe. Check out the flavour spins to make it different every time and don’t forget to screenshot the ingredients list at the bottom before you go shopping.
Prep the tins
Preheat the oven to gas 4, 180°C, fan 160°C. Grease and line 2 x 20cm round cake tins.
Prep the tins
Beat together the cake mixture
Mix the cocoa powder with 125ml hot water into a paste in a large bowl. Add all the remaining cake ingredients. Beat with an electric hand whisk until creamy, smooth and fully combined.
Beat together the cake mixture
Bake
Divide the mix between the two tins. Tap each on a work surface (this will prevent air-bubbles). Bake for 30 mins until risen and an inserted skewer comes out clean. Remove from the tins and leave to cool completely on a wire rack.
Bake
Make the icing
Meanwhile, make the icing. Put the butter, icing sugar, cocoa powder and yogurt into a food processor and pulse until blended. Add the melted chocolate and blitz until smooth.
Make the icing
Spread the icing
To decorate, level the top of the cakes if necessary. Place onto a cake board or serving plate, then spread over one third of the frosting. Place the second cake on top. Spread over another third of the frosting.
Spread the icing
Add icing decoration
Fill a disposable icing bag with the remaining frosting. Snip a ½ cm-1cm hole from the end and squeeze peaked rounds all around the edge of the cake.
Add icing decoration
Decorate
Scatter the sprinkles over the rounds, then top each one with a Smartie. Fill the centre with candles.
Decorate
