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Christmas Kitchen Chocolate Cherry Cognac New Years Cake

Chocolate Cherry Cognac New Year’s Cake

This decadent Chocolate Cherry Cognac New Year’s Cake is the perfect centerpiece for your celebration — rich chocolate sponge layered with cherry jam and cognac-spiked buttercream, surrounded by Cadbury chocolate fingers in a festive clock-face design.
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Prep Time 25 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Cooling Time 15 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 30 minutes
Course Dessert
Cuisine British
Servings 12 slices
Calories 410 kcal

Equipment

  • 2 8-inch cake tins
  • Mixing Bowls
  • Whisk or electric mixer
  • Wire Rack
  • Piping bag (optional)

Ingredients
  

For the Sponge

  • 50 g cocoa powder for deep chocolate flavor
  • 6 tbsp boiling water to bloom cocoa
  • 3 large eggs
  • 120 ml whole milk
  • 175 g self-raising flour
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • 100 g soft margarine or unsalted butter
  • 275 g golden caster sugar for caramel warmth

For the Decoration

  • 300 g icing sugar
  • 150 g unsalted butter room temperature
  • 3 tbsp cognac or brandy/rum
  • black cherry jam
  • 3 boxes Cadbury chocolate fingers for border
  • milk chocolate writing icing for numbers
  • edible gold stars optional

Instructions
 

  • Preheat oven to 180°C (350°F). Line two 8-inch cake tins with parchment paper.
  • Whisk cocoa powder and boiling water in a bowl until smooth and glossy.
  • Add eggs, milk, flour, baking powder, margarine, and sugar. Beat until combined but not overmixed.
  • Divide batter between tins. Tap lightly to remove air bubbles. Bake for 25–30 minutes.
  • Cool cakes on a wire rack until fully cool before decorating.
  • Beat butter, icing sugar, and cognac until frosting is light and smooth.
  • Spread buttercream and cherry jam on one sponge layer. Top with the second sponge.
  • Frost top and sides of cake. Press chocolate fingers around the edge to form a clock border.
  • Use writing icing to draw clock numbers and hands. Sprinkle with edible gold stars if using.

Notes

Chill before slicing for cleaner cuts. Swap cognac for almond extract for alcohol-free version. Alternate chocolate finger colors for a decorative twist.

Nutrition

Calories: 410kcalCarbohydrates: 58gProtein: 4gFat: 18gSaturated Fat: 11gCholesterol: 55mgSodium: 180mgPotassium: 140mgFiber: 2gSugar: 42gVitamin A: 450IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 60mgIron: 2.2mg
Keyword Cherry, Chocolate, Holiday Baking, New Year’s Cake
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