Layers of Chocolate, Meringue and Memory

Tags: best cake ever, cake, chocolate cake, Country House, homebaking, homemade cake, Irish food, Irish ingredients, private catering, recipes, truffle cake, ultimate chocolate cake

The combination of a rich chocolate sponge baked together with a crisp, light meringue makes this layer cake a little special. Fill it with whipped cream and fresh raspberries for a dessert cake fit for any celebration.

When assembled it looks dramatic with four layers visible.

We made this for our own little Halloween celebration at the weekend and it was polished off in a flash!

Hope you enjoy baking it yourselves x

Chocolate and meringue layer cake in the making on a kitchen countertop.
Chocolate and meringue layer cake in the making on a kitchen countertop.
Sponge Ingredients:
  • 110g caster sugar
  • 125g butter, softened
  • 3 free range eggs, separated
  • 150g self-raising flour
  • 35g good quality cocoa powder
  • 125ml buttermilk
  • 120g sour cream
Meringue Ingredients:
  • 150g caster sugar
  • 2 tblsp flaked almonds
  • Double cream, icing sugar & fresh raspberries to fill
Method:

1. Preheat oven to 160C fan or 170C regular. Grease & line two 22cm cake tins – use deep pans if you can as the meringue rises as it cooks.
2. Using a hand-mixer, beat the butter, sugar & egg yolks in a large bowl until light and fluffy. Sift in the flour & cocoa and stir together gently with a wooden spoon. Then add the buttermilk and sourcream to the mix and continue to combine with the wooden spoon or spatula until all the ingredients are smooth.
3. Divide the chocolate mix evenly between the two tins.
4. In a clean bowl whisk the remaining egg whites until they become fluffy & are at soft peak stage. Add the caster sugar one tablespoon at a time, whisking well between each addition.
5. Divide the meringue mix and spread evenly over the chocolate mix in the tins. Sprinkle the almonds over one layer only, leaving the other tin free of a nutty topping.
6. Bake the cakes for 10 minutes then cover the top of the cakes loosely with some tin foil to prevent burning. Cook for a further 15-20 minutes. Remove from oven and allow to sit in the tins for approx 5 minutes before turning out. Allow to cool fully, meringue layer uppermost, before you assemble.
7. Whip the cream with some icing sugar (if desired) then spread across the bottom layer of the cake. Add the raspberries then top with the cake layer, making sure to put the almond sprinkled one topmost. Dust again with icing sugar and serve.

"A Magical West Cork Escape"

We stayed at Dunowen House for a long weekend and genuinely didn’t want to leave. From the moment we arrived, we were blown away by the beauty of the house and its surroundings – the views, the gardens, the quiet… it’s pure magic. The house itself is full of character and history but still feels incredibly cosy and luxurious.

We loved having our morning coffee overlooking the sea and strolling down to the nearby coves. It was the perfect mix of relaxation and adventure. Clonakilty is only a few minutes away too, so we had some lovely meals out and picked up bits from the local markets.

"A Dream Wedding Come to Life"

We were blown away with the unmatched beauty of Dunowen – the set- ting, the people and all the details make it come to life. We feel so blessed to have had our wedding here and so grateful for Kela and Stephen for making this the most special day of our lives. We are leaving a piece of our hearts here so we will absolutely have to come back again. All our love

"An Unforgettable Celebration of Love"

I could not have imagined a more beautiful stay and wedding. We took a chance and put our trust in Kela and Stephen, booking Dunowen sight un- seen! What a wonderful experience to celebrate our love with the people we care about most without having to worry about the details. The flow- ers, the food and the accommodations were unforgettable. Thank you for giving us the space to create lifetime memories! Dunowen will have a piece of our heart. We hope to come back and do it again!

"A Perfect Stay"

Kela and Stephen. Thank you for our wonderful stay at Dunowen House and letting us enjoy the beauty of West Cork in your wonderful home and surroundings. We absolutely loved it.

"Another Unforgettable Stay"

Thank you Kela & Stephen for another amazing stay. When you’ve stayed in Dunowen it’s impossible to stay elsewhere. Your house is per- fection!

"A Perfect 70th Celebration"

Many thanks Kela and Stephen for a wonderful stay at Dunowen House. The house is so spacious, especially for our smallish family group who helped me celebrate my 70th birthday. Thanks for the beautiful flowers throughout and all the home baking. We loved the location.

"Surrounded by Dunowen’s Gardens and Coastal Beauty"

Thank you for a wonderful week. Everything was perfect and we loved being able to walk to the beach and sit in the beautiful gardens. Hope to come again.

"A Perfect 80th Birthday Celebration"

The end of a fabulous week celebrating my 80th birthday. It has been a brilliant stay with everything we needed. Just perfect. Thank you so much Kela & Stephen for your thought and kindness. All the best for the future and perhaps we will see you again!

The Ultimate 5-Star Escape

Bravo! You have created the perfect backdrop for a 5 star vacation. Our group of 18 could not have imagined a more comfortable and luxe week. I’ll see you on Instagram and we will all see you again in person next va- cation.

Flowers and fruits cake close up Flowers and fruits cake close up