As today is my birthday, it would be remiss of me not to share cake with you!

Not a recipe as such, this time really. Its all about how we make a plain cake look something spectacular!

This cake was for my eldest daughter a few years ago. It's a rich chocolate cake (so do add a shot of espresso!

This cake went from plain jane chocolate cake to sublime birthday cake with just a few additions!

Home made boozy cherry jam

Fresh whipped cream

Cherry compote

Fresh cherries

Chocolate sauce

Mini meringues

I will of course gift you my fail safe chocolate cake!

400 g of unsalted butter

400 g caster sugar

5 large free range eggs

300 g of self raising flour

100 g of Green and Blacks Coco Powder

1 espresso cup of coffee * not for kids

shot or 2 of cherry brandy (optional)

See! No excuse for a boring cake!

Lots of love

Donna x