Special Occasion Cakes Recipes - Chocolate-iced Anniversary Cake

Ingredients

• 20cm/8in round Madeira cake

• 475g/2 1/4 cups chocolate-flavor butter icing

FOR THE CHOCOLATE ICING

• 175g/6oz plain chocolate

• 150ml/2/3 cup single cream

• 2.5ml/1/2 tsp instant coffee powder

TO DECORATE

• chocolate buttons, quartered

• selection of fresh fruits, such as kiwi fruit, nectarines, peaches, apricots and Cape gooseberries, peeled and sliced as necessary

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Method:

1. Cut the cake horizontally into three and sandwich together with three-quarters of the butter icing. Place on a wire rack over a baking sheet.

2. To make the satin chocolate icing, put all of the ingredients in a saucepan and melt over a very low heat until smooth. Immediately pour over the cake to coat completely. Use a palette knife, if necessary. Allow to set.

3. Transfer the cake to a serving plate. Using a No 22 star nozzle, pipe butter icing scrolls around the top edge. Decorate with chocolate button pieces and fruit.

4. Make seven ribbon decorations. For each one, make two small loops from ribbon and secure the ends with a twist of florist's wire. Cut the wire to the length you want and use to position the decoration in the fruit. Remove before serving.