Chocolate Wreath Cake
Ingredients
For the Chocolate Cake
1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
1 cup sugar
½ cup brown sugar
¾ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 ½ tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
½ tsp salt
2 large eggs
1 cup milk
½ cup vegetable oil
1 tbsp vanilla extract
1 cup hot coffee (or hot water)
For the Chocolate Ganache
200 g dark chocolate, chopped
1 cup heavy cream
For the Chocolate Buttercream
1 cup (230 g) softened butter
2 ½ cups powdered sugar
½ cup cocoa powder
3–4 tbsp heavy cream
1 tsp vanilla
For Decoration
Fresh cranberries or cherries
Small chocolate balls
Fondant or sugar holly leaves
Icing sugar for dusting
Instructions
1. Make the Cake
1. Preheat oven to 175°C (350°F).
2. Grease a ring/wreath-shaped pan or a bundt pan.
3. In a bowl, mix: flour, sugars, cocoa, baking powder, baking soda, salt.
4. Add eggs, milk, oil, and vanilla. Mix until smooth.
5. Add the hot coffee and blend again — the batter will be thin (perfect!).
6. Pour into the pan and bake for 35–40 minutes.
7. Let cool completely.
2. Make the Ganache
1. Heat the cream until steaming.
2. Pour over the chopped chocolate.
3. Wait 1 minute, then stir until smooth.
4. Pour over the cooled cake.
3. Make the Buttercream
1. Beat the butter until creamy.
2. Add powdered sugar and cocoa gradually.
3. Add cream and vanilla until fluffy and smooth.
4. Place into a piping bag with a star tip.
4. Decorate
1. Pipe chocolate swirls around the top of the cake.
2. Add cranberries/cherries and chocolate balls.
3. Add holly leaves for the festive look.
4. Dust with icing sugar.
Enjoy your festive chocolate wreath cake!
