Marzipan Chocolate Loaf Cake
Ingredients
- 165g salted butter, softened, plus extra for the tin
- Icing sugar, for dusting
- 350g marzipan
- 100g caster sugar
- 60g dark brown soft sugar
- 3 large eggs
- 200g self-raising flour
- ½ tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp almond extract
- 75ml milk
- 3 tbsp cocoa powder
- 50g dark chocolate chips
- 180ml double cream
- 140g dark chocolate, finely chopped
- 1 tbsp golden syrup
- 1 tsp almond extract
Instructions
Prepare the Tin:
Preheat your oven to 320°F(160°C) Butter and line a 2 Lb.(900g)loaf tin with baking parchment(.8 x 4 x 3 inches)
Prepare the Marzipan:
Dust a surface with icing sugar and roll out the marzipan to a 1cm thickness. Cut into strips the same length as your loaf tin.
Make the Cake Batter:
In a large bowl, beat the softened butter, caster sugar, and dark brown soft sugar together until light and fluffy.
Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition.
Fold in the self-raising flour, baking powder, and almond extract, then mix in the milk until smooth.
Divide the batter in half. To one half, add the cocoa powder and dark chocolate chips, mixing until combined.
Layer the Cake:
Spoon half of the plain batter into the prepared loaf tin, spreading it out evenly.
Place a strip of marzipan on top of the batter.
Spoon over half of the chocolate batter, followed by another strip of marzipan.
Repeat with the remaining plain and chocolate batters, ending with a strip of marzipan.
Bake the Cake:
Bake in the preheated oven for 60-70 minutes, or until a skewer inserted into the center comes out clean. Let the cake cool in the tin for 10 minutes, then turn out onto a wire rack to cool completely.
Make the Chocolate Glaze:
Heat the double cream in a small saucepan until just boiling.
Remove from the heat and add the finely chopped dark chocolate, golden syrup, and almond extract. Stir until smooth and glossy.
Glaze the Cake:
Once the cake is completely cool, pour the chocolate glaze over the top, letting it drip down the sides.
Decorate the Cake:
If desired, decorate the top of the cake with marzipan fruits or other shapes for a traditional look.
