chocolate cake topping

[bubbles4920]

im going to make a simple chocolate sponge cake and want to put a chocolate coating on the top. i once did this with just melted chocolate which then set and went too hard and almost needed a hacksaw to cut into it. someone once told me that if i add a bit of cream this would help to soften it a bit, any ideas of the quantities i would need or any other ideas for chocolate toppings? im also thinking of sandwiching the cake together with the same mixture

[aniani]

Add some unsalted butter to the melted chocolate

[puddicat]

Its called a ganache mixture of melted chocolate and cream

[heffalump]

You make a chocolate buttercream.

Here's a simple recipe:

100g unsalted butter (softened)
175g icing sugar
50g melted chocolate

Cream the butter and icing sugar together with a wooden spoon (it's best to add the icing sugar gradually). Beat until light, then add the cooled melted chocolate.

This should be enough to cover anf fill a 7-8 inch cake...yum!

Helen x

[samuelcat]

I use Nutella as a filling. Might be ok on top. You could spread it on and then dredge with cocoa.

[bubbles4920]

oh, how much butter should i add then? isnt cream the same as its a different 'form' of butter?

[bimbo123456]

Choc Fudge Icing:
60g 2 1/2 oz margarine or butter
1 x 15ml (1 tablesp) cocoa powder
250g (9oz) sieved icing sugar
3x15ml (3 tabsp) hot milk
1 5ml (1tsp) vanilla essence

Melt marg, blend in cocoa, then stir in icing sugar, milk and essence. Beat well until smooth and thick. You have a choice of pouring it onto your cake for a thin coating or wait until it cools for a thick yummy fudgey gooey lovely icing and filling. Enjoy!

[pastafreak]

I do one similar to bimbo....but use a lot more cocoa powder......and I never measure ,so I can't give you amounts. I tend to keep it quite stiff and fudgey. It is really trial and error.

[Emoire]

http://www.joyofbaking.com/ganache.html

They suggest on here that if you are making a ganache as a cake topping that you should use 3 parts chocolate to one part cream. They also have a recipe and instructions on the the best way to use it to cover the cake.
Hope this helps.

[lettertrask]

2 Melted mars bars make a delicious topping.I melt mine in the microwave on the defrost setting,if you heat it to quickly it goes lumpy