Mary berry Hedgehog Cake
Mary berry Hedgehog Cake is a classic British dessert that features a chocolate sponge cake with a cream cheese and buttercream frosting, covered in flaked chocolate to resemble the spines of a hedgehog. The cake is easy to make and perfect for any occasion, from birthdays to afternoon tea. It’s also fun for kids to help decorate with the “spines” made from flakes of chocolate.
Why people also love Mary berry Hedgehog Cake
People love Mary Berry’s Hedgehog Cake for several reasons. First, it is a classic British dessert that many people grew up with and have fond memories of. Second, the cake itself is moist and delicious thanks to the chocolate sponge and creamy frosting. Finally, the unique decoration using flaked chocolate makes it a fun and playful addition to any celebration or gathering. Overall, Mary Berry’s Hedgehog Cake is loved for its simplicity, taste, and whimsical appearance.
Ingredients:
- 225g/8oz unsalted butter
- 225g/8oz caster sugar
- 4 large eggs
- 150g/5½oz self-raising flour
- 75g/2¾oz cocoa powder
- For the decoration:
- chocolate buttons or flakes (for spines)
- Smarties or similar sweets (for eyes and nose)
- flaked almonds (for ears)
Instructions:
- First Preheat your oven to 180C/160C Fan/Gas Mark 4.
- Grease a rectangular baking tin measuring approximately 30cm x20cm with butter.
- In a mixing bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
- Beat in the eggs, one at a time, and sift in the flour and cocoa powder. After this,Mix well until all ingredients are combined.
- Pour the mixture into your greased baking tin and bake for approximately 35-40 minutes or until a skewer inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Once baked, remove from oven and allow to cool completely on a wire rack before decorating.
- To decorate: melt some chocolate buttons or flakes in a heatproof bowl over simmering water (or using microwave). Spread melted chocolate onto cooled cake with a spatula to create spines of hedgehog back; use Smarties sweets for eyes/nose/mouth; arrange flaked almonds around head area as ears.
Quick Facts
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 35-40 minutes
- Total Time: Approximately 1 hour (including cooling time)
- Difficulty: Easy
- Yield: Serves approximately 10 people
Serving Suggestions:
This cake is perfect for a fun and creative birthday party or gathering. Serve it as a dessert after dinner or with tea/coffee in the afternoon.
Expert Tips & Tricks:
- Make sure to cream your butter and sugar together until light and fluffy before adding eggs.
- Use room temperature ingredients when making this cake.
- Don’t overmix your batter once you’ve added flour/cocoa powder.
- Let the cake cool completely on a wire rack before decorating.
Presentation:
To present your hedgehog cake, place it on a large platter or tray and decorate with chocolate spines, Smarties eyes/nose/mouth and almond ears. You could also add some green frosting around the base of the cake to create a grassy effect. Serve slices of cake with additional Smarties candies as garnish if desired.
Variations and substitutions you can make for Mary berry Hedgehog Cake:
- Gluten-free: To make this cake gluten-free, simply substitute the flour with a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend.
- Vegan: For a vegan version of this cake, use plant-based butter instead of regular butter and substitute eggs with an egg replacer or applesauce.
- Nut-free: If you have nut allergies or want to avoid nuts in your cake, you can skip the flaked almonds used for the ears and replace them with something else like chocolate chips or raisins.
- Fruit-flavored frosting: Instead of using chocolate frosting for your hedgehog spines, try using fruit-flavored frostings like raspberry or strawberry to add some fruity flavor to your cake.
- Different decorations: While Smarties candies are traditional for decorating a hedgehog cake, you can use other types of candies or chocolates like M&Ms, Reese’s Pieces, or chocolate chips. You could also try using different colors of frosting to create a unique and colorful hedgehog design.
- Lemon flavor: If you want to add some lemony freshness to your cake, consider adding the zest of one lemon to the batter along with 1 tablespoon of fresh lemon juice. You could also add some lemon extract if desired.
- Chocolate ganache topping: Instead of frosting your cake with chocolate buttercream icing, try making a rich and decadent chocolate ganache by heating up heavy cream and pouring it over chopped dark chocolate until melted together into a smooth mixture. Spread this over your cooled cake for an extra indulgent treat.
- Different animal designs: While hedgehogs are adorable animals that make great cakes, you can also use this recipe to create other animal designs like a bear, fox or raccoon by changing the colors and shapes of your decorations. Use your imagination to make something unique and fun!
Recommendations and notices:
- Follow the recipe carefully: Make sure to follow the recipe instructions closely, measuring all ingredients accurately to ensure that your cake turns out perfectly.
- Use room temperature ingredients: Bring your butter and eggs to room temperature before starting, as this will help them mix together more easily and create a smoother batter.
- Don’t overmix the batter: Mix your cake batter until just combined, being careful not to overmix it or you may end up with a tough cake.
- Allow time for cooling: Let your cake cool completely before decorating it so that the frosting doesn’t melt or slide off.
- Be creative with decorations: Have fun decorating your hedgehog cake! You can use different candies or chocolates to create unique designs, experiment with colors of frosting and add-ons like fruit slices or edible flowers to make it even more special.
- Store properly: Store your finished cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or in the fridge for up to a week. If you’re not planning on eating it right away, consider freezing it instead and thawing before serving.
- Be aware of allergens: If you or anyone consuming your cake has allergies, be sure to read all ingredient labels carefully and substitute ingredients as needed.
- Enjoy with loved ones: Finally, enjoy your hedgehog cake with family and friends! It’s always better when shared with loved ones.
FAQ for Mary berry Hedgehog Cake
Yes, you can substitute the chocolate cake mix with your preferred flavor. However, make sure to adjust the other ingredients accordingly.
Yes, you can use milk or even heavy cream to make your frosting richer and creamier.
You can test if your cake is done by inserting a toothpick into the center. If it comes out clean or with a few crumbs, it’s ready.
You can use any small round candy like M&Ms or Reese’s Pieces, or chocolate chips. You can also use licorice strips for the spines and mini marshmallows for the eyes.
Yes, you can make the cake a day in advance and store it in an airtight container at room temperature. However, wait to frost and decorate it until just before serving.
This cake will last up to 3 days at room temperature if stored properly in an airtight container. It can also be refrigerated for up to a week or frozen for longer storage.
Yes, you can make your own buttercream frosting using powdered sugar, butter, vanilla extract and milk/cream. Simply beat all ingredients together until smooth and creamy.
Unfortunately, this recipe requires eggs for the cake mix. However, you can try substituting with an egg substitute or using a vegan chocolate cake mix to make it egg-free.
Store any leftover hedgehog cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or in the fridge for up to a week. You can also freeze it for longer storage by wrapping tightly in plastic wrap and placing in a freezer-safe bag/container.
Conclusion:
And there you have it! Mary Berry’s delicious hedgehog cake recipe that is sure to impress anyone who sees it. It’s a fun and creative way to make a cake that is perfect for birthdays, parties or any occasion where you want to impress your guests. The combination of chocolate and almonds gives the cake a rich flavor while the Smarties add an extra pop of color. I hope you enjoy making this recipe as much as I do!
