A fishy themed chocolate cake

I made this cake for my friend Ed’s mini baby shower. Basically I saw a recipe on the internet for individual fish cupcakes that DC sent me and I decided to make a larger version. Although this cake took a bit of decorating I rationalised that it was easier to do a larger cake in detail than to do several cupcakes. On a week night it is always best to take the easier way out. As a side note this blog post also marks me starting to use the new DSLR lens my parents kindly bought me for Christmas. Doesn’t it make my photos look beautiful! (Thank you parents!)

To make this cake you will need:

3 large eggs

170g golden caster sugar

170g butter

155g self raising flour

15g cocoa powder

To decorate

50g dark chocolate

300g icing sugar

250g marscapone

Smarties (I actually opened 3 packs for my desired colours – D will be sent to work with treats tomorrow!)

1 packet milk chocolate buttons

1 packet white chocolate buttons

Writing icing (you can make your own in a piping bag, I bought pre-made this time)

Preheat the oven to 180°C, cut some baking parchment to the size of your cake tins to line them. Using an electric whisk beat your eggs and sugar until they leave a trail of mixture over the surface.

Sift in your flour and cocoa powder and fold in.Melt your butter and fold in, until your mix is smooth.

Separate into two cake tins and bake for around 12 minutes, until a skewer comes clean when you poke in into your cake.

Leave your cake to cool on a wire rack. While it is cooling make your icing by beating together your icing sugar and marscapone.Melt your chocolate and beat this into your icing. Sandwich together your cakes with a thin layer of this, then use it to cover the top and sides of your cake evenly. Use a butter knife or any flat knife to do this. This recipe makes more than enough icing – I froze mine to use on cupcakes later.

To make the fish shape layer on your chocolate to make scales – I made my fish striped but your can do this how your wish. Don’t forget to leave space for a face. On the edges use your Smarties to frame the face. then use your Smarties to add facial features and the tail and water bubbles (I also made a little plant). Finally use your icing bag to add the top and side fin detail.