Amazing Maltesers cake

Ingredients

•  200g (1 cup, firmly packed) brown sugar
•  185ml (3/4 cup) milk
•  125g butter, chopped
•  115g (3/4 cup) self-raising flour
•  75g (1/2 cup) plain flour
•  50g (1/2 cup) cocoa powder
•  3 eggs, lightly whisked
•  185g butter, extra, at room temperature
•  345g (2 1/4 cups) icing sugar mixture
•  95g (3/4 cup) malted milk powder
•  1 tablespoon milk, extra
•  465g Maltesers
• Ganache
•  300g dark cooking chocolate, finely chopped
•  125ml (1/2 cup) thickened cream
•  30g butter

Method 

• Step 1

Preheat oven to 160C. Grease a 20cm round cake pan with butter. Line base and side with baking paper.

• Step 2

Place the brown sugar, milk and butter in a microwave-safe bowl. Cook in microwave on high, stirring every minute, for 4-5 minutes or until the butter melts and the mixture is smooth.

• Step 3

Use a balloon whisk to whisk the combined flour and cocoa powder into the butter mixture. Whisk in the egg. Pour into the prepared pan. Bake for 55 minutes or until a skewer inserted into the centre comes out clean. Set aside in the pan for 5 minutes to cool before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.

• Step 4

To make the ganache, place the chocolate, cream and butter in a microwave-safe bowl. Cook in microwave on high, stirring every minute, for 2-3 minutes or until the chocolate melts and the mixture is smooth.

• Step 5

Use an electric beater to beat the extra butter in a bowl until pale and creamy. Beat in the icing sugar, malted milk powder and extra milk until fluffy. Beat in 1 1/2 tablespoons ganache.

• Step 6

Set the remaining ganache aside for 1 hour 30 minutes or until thick, glossy and spreadable.

• Step 7

Meanwhile, use a large serrated knife to cut the cake horizontally into four layers. Place the cake base on a platter. Spread with one-third of the icing. Continue layering with the remaining cake and icing, finishing with cake. Cover and place in the fridge for 1 hour 30 minutes to chill.

• Step 8

Spread the ganache evenly over the top and side of the cake. Decorate with Maltesers.

 Notes

Follow these hints:

• 1) Before attaching the Maltesers to the cake, wear cotton gloves to avoid leaving any fingerprints on the chocolate.
• 2) To get even rows when decorating, first make a strip of Maltesers straight down the centre of the cake, then add in rows on either side.
• 3) To cut the cake, start by slicing alongside the centre strip and try to cut between the rows where possible.
• For more tips on how to achieve a picture perfect cake