Food&Drink The Woodworks Chocolate Orange Cake

Lovingly made by Richard Skelton, chef at The Woodworks Café, Mold

FOR THE CAKE:

400g margarine

400g caster sugar

325g self-raising flour

75g cocoa powder

7 eggs, beaten

1 tsp orange extract

Zest of 1 orange (keep juice for buttercream)

FOR THE BUTTERCREAM:

600g icing sugar

300g butter

Reserved juice from orange

FOR DECORATION:

Chocolate ganache

Chocolate orange sweets

Chocolate sticks

METHOD:

Preheat the oven to Gas Mark 3/160°C/Fan 140°. Grease and line three 9in baking tins.

Cream together the margarine and sugar, then slowly mix in the dry ingredients and beaten eggs. Add the orange extract and fresh orange zest, stir and spoon into the prepared tins.

Bake in the preheated oven for 35 minutes

Whilst the cakes are baking, combine the icing sugar, butter and reserved juice.

Could this be the best chocolate cake in Wales?

Judge for yourself! To book a table at The Woodworks Café call 01352 752555 #3

Remove cakes from oven and, once cooled, sandwich together with buttercream. Decorate with ganache, chocolate orange sweets and chocolate sticks.

The Clive Arms

Halfway House Inn

The Williams family is celebrating 25 years of welcoming guests to the 16th-century Halfway House Inn in Bridgnorth. The inn offers real ale and real food in a cosy traditional setting. The front terrace captures the most amazing Shropshire sunsets, while the very large beer garden to the rear hides you away from the world – and it’s dog-friendly too. So why not join in with the locals, sitting around the ancient fireplace or relaxing in one of the snugs, maybe watching your favourite sport on Sky Sports?

The inn also offers a wide range of accommodation choices, with cottages, rooms above the inn, rooms in a converted barn, a 30-pitch touring park and a three-acre field for wild camping.

Halfway House Inn, Eardington, Bridgnorth WV16 5LS

Tel 01746 762 670 www.halfwayhouseinn.co.uk

Situated on the outskirts of Ludlow, The Clive Arms is the perfect place to unwind and explore the Shropshire countryside. The chefs use fresh local and seasonal ingredients to create traditional menus with a modern twist. Enjoy a relaxed atmosphere for lunch on Friday and Saturday, or dinner from Wednesday to Saturday.

The team also serves a wonderful roast on Sundays.

Whether you are planning a celebration or a catch-up with friends, the new afternoon tea is the perfect choice, with a selection of traditional, seasonal and unique teas featuring the finest quality ingredients, where possible from surrounding farms.

The Clive Arms, Bromfield, Ludlow SY8 2JR Tel 01584 856565 www.theclive.co.uk