Halloween Brain Cake

Ingredients:

For the Cake:

• 280g flour
• 20g unsweetened cocoa powder
• 240ml whole milk
• 2 teaspoons white vinegar
• 120g soft butter
• 260g caster sugar
• ½ vanilla pod
• 2 eggs
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• Red food coloring

For the Filling:

• Raspberry coulis (frozen)

For the Decoration:

• Pink sugar paste
• Additional red food coloring

Instructions:

Prepare the Raspberry Coulis Inserts:

1. Pour the raspberry coulis into ice cube trays or half-sphere molds.
2. Freeze for at least 2 hours.

Make the Cake Batter:

1. Combine Dry Ingredients: Mix flour and cocoa powder.
2. Activate Baking Soda: Mix milk and vinegar to curdle.
3. Cream Butter and Sugar: Beat butter, sugar, and vanilla extract until creamy.
4. Add Wet Ingredients: Gradually add eggs, then the flour mixture alternating with the curdled milk.
5. Color the Batter: Add red food coloring to the batter.

Bake the Cakes:

1. Fill Molds: Pour batter into greased and floured molds, filling them 3/4 full.
2. Insert Coulis: Place a frozen raspberry coulis cube in the center of each mold.
3. Bake: Bake in a preheated oven at 160°C (320°F) for 30-35 minutes.

Decorate the Cakes:

1. Roll Out Sugar Paste: Roll out pink sugar paste.
2. Shape the Brain: Cut out brain-shaped pieces and use a tool to create folds and wrinkles.
3. Color the Sugar Paste: Mix raspberry coulis with red food coloring and brush it onto the sugar paste.
4. Assemble: Place the decorated sugar paste on top of the cooled cakes.

Tips:

• For a spookier effect, use bright red frosting to decorate the cakes.
• Prepare the cakes a day in advance and decorate them on the same day.

Enjoy your spooky, delicious Ladder Cakes!