Halloween Cake Recipe

• 115 grams / 4 oz of butter
• 1¼ cups of white sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1 cup of milk
• 2 tablespoons of golden syrup
• 2 cups of flour
• 2 - 3 tablespoons of cocoa
• 2 teaspoons of baking powder
• 2 teaspoons of baking soda

Preheat the oven to 180°C, 350°F or gas mark 4. Line and grease a large round cake tin with cooking paper. Cream the butter and sugar together in a large bowl and beat the eggs in one at a time. Sift in the flour, cocoa and baking powder and mix to combine. In a small saucepan warm the milk, do not boil. Add the golden syrup and baking soda to the milk and mix thoroughly. Carefully fold the milk into the chocolate mixture. Pour the cake batter into the prepared tin and bake for 30 to 40 minutes. To test if the cake is cooked, poke a cake tester or skewer into the middle of the cake. If it comes out clean the cake is cooked.

Allow to cool and ice with Chocolate Ganache. For extra zing add a couple of teaspoons of your favourite liqueur or spirit to the ganache. To decorate, pipe melted white chocolate over the cake to resemble a spider's web and arrange spooky sweets over and around the sides of the cake. Alternatively arrange Halloween Jack O'Lanterns around the cake.