Everybody needs a good chocolate cake that they can conjure up to appreciative groans and lip licking smiles. Because, let’s face it, there are times when only chocolate will do! As for the Irish part well that would be the use of either buttermilk or Guinness (depending on preference/age group) both of which are very Irish ingredients and each giving a very tender crumb to the cake.
You can have this cake with a cuppa or as a pudding served with creme fraiche. You can decorate the ganache icing anyway you choose. Or leave it plain.
Of the two “Irish” ingredients well, If you choose to use Guinness it gives the chocolate a slightly spicy, sophisticated kick and if you use buttermilk it becomes slightly lighter and fresher As well as Guinness/buttermilk and chocolate the cake uses dark brown sugar to give an extra fudgey taste. Continue reading