Best 2 Mary Berry Chocolate Fondant Recipes

MARY BERRY'S FONDANT FANCIES

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 160C/140C Fan/Gas 3. Grease and line a 20cm/8in square tin with two strips of parchment paper.
• For the sponge, beat together all the sponge ingredients until smooth. Tip the cake mixture into the tin and tap lightly to level out.
• Bake for about 40 minutes, or until a metal skewer inserted in the middle comes out clean.
• Allow to cool in the tin for 10 minutes, then turn out and allow to cool completely on a wire rack, before putting in the fridge to chill (or alternatively place in the freezer for a few minutes until chilled but not frozen).
• While the cake is chilling, make the buttercream. Beat together the softened butter and icing sugar in a bowl until lighter in colour, and smooth.
• Place 100g/3½oz of the buttercream in a piping bag and allow to slightly firm up in the fridge. Keep the rest in a bowl for the cake sides.
• For the marzipan topping, heat the apricot jam in a small saucepan and sieve it into a bowl.
• Brush the top of the cake with the sieved apricot jam.
• Roll the marzipan out very thinly, cover the top of the cake and chill again.
• Cut the cake into 25 equal squares (each 4cm/1½in square). You may need to cut off the edges if they have rounded and pulled away from the sides of the tin - all the edges must be straight and neat.
• Cover four sides of each square with buttercream (not the marzipan top or the base). Using the buttercream in the piping bag, pipe a blob in the centre of each square on top of the marzipan. Leave to set in the fridge for 20 minutes.
• For the icing and decoration, cut the fondant icing into small cubes. Place in a sturdy free-standing mixer with a paddle. Churn the icing until it stars to break down, adding a splash of water if it's too hard. Very gradually add the water - the icing will become smooth and more liquid.
• Add flavouring and food colouring to taste - be careful not to add too much at once, you can always add more but can't undo it!
• Melt the chocolate either in the microwave or in a heatproof bowl set over a pot of simmering water (do not allow the bottom of the bowl to touch the water). Once melted, place the chocolate in piping bag and set aside.
• Take the cakes out of the fridge and place one onto a fork.
• Dip each square into the icing one at a time and carefully set onto a cooling rack, with parchment underneath to catch the drips. Try not to get finger prints on them - for this reason it is best to insert the fork at an angle so that you can slide the cake off onto the cooling rack easily.
• Leave the fondant to set, but do not put in the fridge as the icing will lose its shine.
• Using the piping bag of melted chocolate, drizzle the chocolate over each fancy in a zig-zag pattern.
• Leave to set and then place on a cake stand to serve.

MARY BERRY'S CHOCOLATE CUPCAKES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400°F (204°C) and line your muffin tins with cupcake liners, enough for 12 cupcakes.
• Sift your cocoa powder into a large mixing bowl.
• Using your microwave or sauce pan heat water to boiling.
• Pour the boiling water carefully into the mixing bowl with the cocoa powder.
• Using a spatula or whisk combine the water and cocoa powder into a chunky, slightly dry paste. Add the softened butter, use a hand mixer or beat by hand until mixed well. Next, add the eggs and mix again.
• Add the sugar, flour, and baking powder and thoroughly combine to make the batter.
• Divide your batter evenly into 12 cupcake liners to 2/3 to 3/4 full. Bake at 400°F (204°C) for 12 to 15 minutes or until an inserted toothpick comes out clean.
• Remove from oven and allow to cool in the muffin tin for a few minutes before transferring to a wire cooling rack to cool completely.
• When cupcakes are fully cooled make your buttercream and pipe on to apply, then garnish with chocolate sprinkles, funfetti, or coarse sugar. Serve and enjoy!