Nigella

Chocolate Malteser Cake

This is one of those cakes that you make pretending it’s for the children. And of course they love it — and I have had more messages from people telling me that they’ve been under strict instructions to make this cake every single year for a child’s birthday more than just about any other cake — but it is no less enjoyed than by any adults hovering by the table, ready to snatch a slice. The maltiness is not overpowering, but subtly present (I always use the original Horlicks and not, categorically not, the one labelled ‘light” and the Maltesers — or Malt Balls if you are Stateside — make for a beautiful if ramshackle crown. And, by the way, the 15g (1 tablespoon) butter in the list of ingredients for the cake part is not a misprint! For US cup measures, use the toggle at the top of the ingredients list.