PREP TIME: 20 MINS
COOK TIME: 1 ½ HOURS
SERVES: 12

INGREDIENTS:

• 250 grams Devondale Unsalted Butter
• 180 g dark chocolate melts
• 1 ⅔ cups (250g) caster sugar
• 4 eggs
• 1 cup (150g) plain flour
• ¼ cup (40g) cocoa, plus extra for dusting

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Melt butter and chocolate melts in the microwave in 30-second bursts, stirring each time until melted (approximately 2 minutes on high setting).
2. Add the caster sugar and eggs, then add sifted flour and cocoa. Mix well to create a smooth batter.
3. Preheat the oven to 120ºC for a gas oven or 160ºC for a fan-forced oven. Line an 8-inch (22cm) round tin with parchment paper.
4. Pour the batter into the lined tin and bake for 1 hour (or 1 hour 30 minutes for fan-forced). Check for doneness – a skewer inserted into the center should come out clean.
5. Once baked, let the cake cool in the tin.
6. Dust the cooled cake with cocoa powder.
7. Serve the chocolate mud cake with whipped cream for a delightful treat.

Tip:

This recipe can be made up to 3 days ahead, making it convenient for planning ahead.

Here are some variations you can try with the chocolate mud cake recipe:

1. Double Chocolate Mud Cake: Add chocolate chips or chunks to the batter before baking for an extra burst of chocolate goodness.
2. Mocha Mud Cake: Add 2-3 tablespoons of instant coffee granules or espresso powder to the batter for a rich mocha flavor.
3. Orange Chocolate Mud Cake: Add the zest of one orange to the batter for a citrus twist that complements the chocolate. You can also add a teaspoon of orange extract for a stronger orange flavor.
4. Raspberry Chocolate Mud Cake: Gently fold in fresh or frozen raspberries into the batter before baking. The tartness of the raspberries pairs well with the rich chocolate.
5. Nutty Chocolate Mud Cake: Add chopped nuts such as walnuts, pecans, or hazelnuts to the batter for added crunch and flavor.
6. Salted Caramel Chocolate Mud Cake: Drizzle homemade or store-bought salted caramel sauce over the baked and cooled cake before serving. The sweet and salty combination is irresistible.
7. Chocolate Ganache: Instead of dusting the cake with cocoa, top it with a luxurious chocolate ganache made from melted chocolate and cream. It adds a smooth, glossy finish to the cake.
8. Nutella Swirl: Swirl a few tablespoons of Nutella into the cake batter before baking. This creates a marbled effect and adds a hazelnut-chocolate flavor.
9. Chocolate Mint Mud Cake: Add a teaspoon of peppermint extract to the batter for a refreshing minty twist. You can also layer the cake with a thin layer of mint chocolate ganache.
10. White Chocolate Mud Cake: Replace the dark chocolate melts with white chocolate melts for a creamy and indulgent white chocolate version. You can also add white chocolate chips for extra texture.
11. Chocolate Peanut Butter Mud Cake: Swirl creamy peanut butter into the batter before baking. The combination of rich chocolate and nutty peanut butter is a classic favorite.
12. Chocolate Cherry Mud Cake: Fold in chopped maraschino cherries or dried cherries to the batter. The sweet-tart flavor of the cherries pairs wonderfully with the chocolate.