Chocolate Spice Cake

I have been having a fiddle around. That is to say I was looking for a rich moist chocolate loaf cake without too much faffing around in the making. I finally managed to tick the boxes. It's densely chocolatey,very moist and keeps really well and most importantly it is easy and quick to make. The spice is optional and of course you can use any sweet spice of your choice. It just gives a little tingle in the background which I like. You do need the large pan I mention as it is quite a big mixture but is easily divided into smaller pans if you do not have the larger size. It was suggested to me it would be rather nice with custard. I haven't tried that option but I will soon.

Chocolate Spice Cake

225 gms/8oz butter
300gms/11oz dark brown sugar
2 tablespoons maple or ordinary syrup
2 beaten eggs
100 gms /4oz dark choc
175 gms /6oz SR flour (or the same weight in plain/all purpose flour + 1 teaspoon baking powder)
25gms/1 oz cocoa powder
250mls milk
1 tablespoon allspice optional

Method

Warm the milk slightly in a large saucepan
Add everything else except the flour cocoa spice and eggs.
Melt together stirring as you go.
When cool beat in the eggs then sift in the flour, cocoa and allspice if using and mix in gently but thoroughly
Pour into a greased lined loaf tin

Bake at 180.C/160.C Fan/325.F/Gas3 for 30 minutes then turn down your oven to160.C/140.C Fan/ 125.F/Gas2 for 15-30 minutes or until skewer comes out clean
Leave to cool completely in the tin before turning out.

You need a large loaf tin 23.5 x 13.3 x 7 cms. 9 1/4"x 5 1/4"/ 2 3/4"
or you can use a regular 2lb loaf tin and a 1lb loaf tin or make a few cupcakes

It gets better as it sits for a day or two. The allspice gives just a hint of spice but you can leave it out and just have choccie cake.

It will crack on top and sink slightly so don't worry.

It is a very moist cake and keeps really well.