Name: Hazelnut, prune and chocolate cake
Cook time: 60 min
Total time: 60 min
Yield: 8
Ingredients: 250 gram butter, softened; 1 cup raw sugar; 4 eggs; 4 tablespoon milk; 1 3/4 cup plain flour; 2 teaspoon baking powder; 1/2 cup chopped prunes; 200 gram hazelnuts, toasted, skins removed, roughly chopped; 200 gram dark chocolate pieces, roughly chopped

Hazelnut, prune and chocolate cake

This hazelnut, prune and chocolate cake recipe creates a substantial cake, gorgeously studded with soft, sweet prunes and gooey chocolate and perfect with a cup of hot coffee

Ingredients

250 gram butter, softened

1 cup raw sugar

4 eggs

4 tablespoon milk

1 3/4 cup plain flour

2 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 cup chopped prunes

200 gram hazelnuts, toasted, skins removed, roughly chopped

200 gram dark chocolate pieces, roughly chopped

Method

1.Preheat oven to 180°C fan bake. Grease and line a 24cm springform tin with baking paper.

2.Cream the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the eggs, one at a time, then splash in the milk and beat until combined – fear not if it looks curdled.

3.Stir in the sifted flour and baking powder, then the prunes and mix until combined.

4.Fold through the hazelnuts and chocolate, holding back a quarter of each for the top.

5.Scrape batter into the tin, then smooth top with a wet spoon. Top with remaining nuts and chocolate.

6.Bake for 50-60 minutes or until a skewer comes out clean. Leave to cool for 15 minutes before turning out of the tin.

7.Serve the cake slightly warm with cream, yoghurt or on its own.

Nici Wickes