Simple & Delicious Chocolate Bonfire Cake Recipe UK
Rated 5.0 stars by 1 users
Category
Bonfire Night
Servings
14
Prep Time
15 minutes
Cook Time
25 minutes
Calories
390
As Bonfire Night draws near on 5 November, nothing beats a cosy cake to share under the fireworks.
This Bonfire Chocolate Cake brings together rich Whitakers Dark Chocolate with warming spices like ginger, cinnamon and nutmeg.
Black treacle and golden syrup add deep flavour, making each slice moist and full of autumn taste.
Bake it in a simple round tin, top with a smooth ganache that mimics leaping flames using red, orange and yellow icing.
Add chocolate sticks as logs and gold sprinkles for extra spark. It serves 12 to 14 people, ideal for family gatherings or parties.
Ingredients
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200g Whitakers Dark Chocolate, chopped
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200g unsalted butter
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200g soft dark brown sugar
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150g golden syrup
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50g black treacle
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3 large eggs
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200g self-raising flour
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1 tsp bicarbonate of soda
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2 tsp ground ginger
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1 tsp ground cinnamon
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½ tsp nutmeg
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Pinch of salt
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200g Whitakers Dark Chocolate
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200ml double cream
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Red, orange & yellow icing gels (to create “flames”)
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Flake or Matchmakers chocolate sticks (for “logs”)
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Gold sprinkles for sparkle
For the Ganache Topping
Optional Decoration
Directions
Prep the oven
Preheat oven to 180°C (160°C fan) / 350°F.
Grease and line a deep 20cm round cake tin.
Melt base ingredients
In a saucepan, gently melt butter, sugar, golden syrup, treacle, and Whitakers Dark Chocolate.
Stir until smooth, then cool slightly.
Mix wet & dry
Beat in the eggs.
Sift flour, spices, bicarb, and salt into a large bowl.
Fold in the chocolate-syrup mixture until combined.
Bake
Pour into the prepared tin and bake for 45–50 minutes until a skewer comes out clean.
Cool completely on a wire rack.
Make ganache
Heat cream gently until just steaming.
Pour over chopped Whitakers Dark Chocolate and stir until glossy.
Allow to thicken slightly before spreading over the cooled cake.
Decorate bonfire-style
Use icing gels to swirl red, orange, and yellow “flames” into the ganache.
Add chocolate sticks around the top to look like a bonfire.
Sprinkle with edible gold for a sparkling fire effect.
Recipe Notes
If you have any questions about how to make this recipe, please post a comment below and we will get back to you.
Servings: The recipe typically yields 17 delicious portions of bonfire night chocolate cake.
Calories per serving: 390 calories.
Remember: Please tag #whitakerschocolates with photos of your homemade chocolate bonfire cake.
Serving Suggestions
Serve this Bonfire Chocolate Cake warm, cut into slices with a dollop of custard or a scoop of vanilla ice cream to balance the rich spices and chocolate.
It makes a great centrepiece for Bonfire Night gatherings, placed on a table amid the fireworks display for everyone to admire.
For added fun, stick unlit sparklers into the top just before serving, then light them up for a safe, exciting effect that matches the flame decoration.
Pair it with hot drinks like mulled cider or tea on chilly evenings.
If hosting a party, offer smaller portions to let guests try other treats too.
This cake works well at autumn events beyond 5 November, such as family dinners or weekend get-togethers.
Leftovers taste even better the next day, so plan ahead for second helpings.
Nutritional Information for This Recipe
| Nutrient | Amount per slice (approx. 1/12) |
|---|---|
| Calories | ~390 kcal |
| Fat | 21g |
| Carbohydrates | 45g |
| Sugars | 29g |
| Protein | 5g |
How to Store Your Homemade Chocolate Bonfire Night Cake
Store this Bonfire Chocolate Cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to five days.
Keep it in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight to maintain the moist texture and prevent the ganache from melting.
If the weather turns warm or to extend freshness, place the cake in the fridge.
Cover it well to avoid picking up other smells, and bring it back to room temperature before serving for the best taste.
For longer storage, freeze the cake base without the ganache topping.
Wrap slices or the whole cake in cling film, then foil, and keep in the freezer for up to one month.
Thaw overnight in the fridge, then add fresh ganache and decorations.
Once topped with ganache, avoid freezing as it may change the smooth finish.
Always check for any off smells before eating stored cake.
A Brief History of Bonfire Night in the United Kingdom
Bonfire Night recalls the Gunpowder Plot of 5 November 1605. Catholic plotters, including Guy Fawkes, aimed to explode Parliament and kill King James I.
Authorities found out, arrested and executed them. People lit bonfires in joy, and Parliament made it a yearly event.
Now, the UK marks it with fireworks, effigies on fires and gatherings.
