Toffee Apple Pudding

200 grams unsalted butter, softened, plus extra for greasing
200 grams light brown sugar
4 eggs, beaten
200 grams self-rising flour
150 grams peeled, cored, and chopped apple, divided

For the toffee sauce:
30 grams unsalted butter
70 ml whipping cream (1/4 cup plus 2 teaspoons)
85 grams dark brown sugar

Grease a 1.1 liter (2 pint) pudding basin. In a mixing bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until pale and fluffy. Add the beaten eggs a small amount at a time - if the mixture separates, just stir in a little of the flour. Gradually fold in the remaining flour, then add 100 grams of the chopped apple and mix well. 

Make the toffee sauce:
Put the butter, cream, and dark brown sugar in a saucepan. Bring to a boil and simmer until the sauce thickens slightly. Pour the sauce into the bottom of the greased basin, add the remaining 50 grams chopped apple, and then pour the batter on top.

Seal the basin with a lid or foil and steam on a rack in a covered pot for approximately 2 hours, until firm to the touch. Turn out onto a serving plate. 

Serves 6.

From Great British Puddings by The Pudding Club

Note: Can increase the toffee sauce quantities and hold back the extra to serve on top of the pudding. Can also serve with custard sauce.

Mocha Raspberry Cake (Eesha's Birthday Cake)

For the cake:
2 cups (8.5 oz) all-purpose flour
1 cup (7 oz) granulated sugar
1 cup (7 oz) brown sugar
1 cup (3 oz) unsweetened cocoa powder
2 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
2 large eggs + 1 egg white
1 cup buttermilk
1 cup warm brewed coffee
1/3 cup plus 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
 
For the raspberry filling:
1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
1/4 cup seedless raspberry jam
1 cup powdered sugar
 
For the mocha buttercream:
1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature
2 cups powdered sugar
1/2 cup good quality cocoa powder
2 teaspoons instant coffee (or to taste)
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
1/4 cup heavy cream
 
To assemble:
2 cups fresh raspberries
Powdered sugar, optional
 
For the cake:
Heat oven to 350 F. Butter two 9-inch round cake pans and dust with flour, tapping out excess.
 
Combine flour, sugars, cocoa, baking soda, baking powder, and salt into the bowl of a mixer. Mix on low. Add eggs, buttermilk, coffee, oil, and vanilla. Beat on medium speed until smooth and completely combined.
 
Divide batter evenly among pans. Bake until cakes are set and a toothpick inserted into the center of each comes out clean, about 35 minutes. Let cool in pans set on a wire rack for 15 minutes. Turn out cakes onto racks and let cool completely.
 
For the raspberry filling:
In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with paddle attachment (or any large mixing bowl, if using hand-held beaters), beat the butter on medium-high speed until creamy, about 3-5 minutes. Add the raspberry jam and beat to combine. Turn the mixer down to low speed and add the powdered sugar. Beat until smooth. Cover and set aside until ready to use.
 
For the mocha buttercream:
Place room temperature butter and vanilla into a stand mixer and beat at medium-high for about three minutes. Add cocoa, instant coffee and salt to the bowl beat into the butter until the coffee has broken down and the mixture is smooth, 1-2 minutes. Add in one cup of the powdered sugar. Turn mixer on to low and then slowly add in remaining powdered sugar. With mixer still on low, slowly drizzle in the heavy cream. Turn mixer to medium high and mix for 2-3 minutes, or until light and fluffy.
 
To assemble:
On a cake plate or board, place one cake layer. Spread raspberry buttercream filling evenly on top of the cake using an offset spatula. Carefully place the other cake layer top-down on the frosting, so the top is flat. Adjust the cake so that the sides are lined up evenly. Frost the entire outside of the cake with a thin layer of the chocolate mocha buttercream. Place in the refrigerator for 30 minutes to lock in the crumb coat. Frost the cake as desired, and arrange raspberries on top of the cake. Dust with powdered sugar if desired.
 
From Bakerita blog

Note: For raspberry mocha frosting, add powdered dehydrated raspberries to the buttercream, and a little additional heavy cream as needed.