Shannen Butler Keane from Diva Boutique Bakery in West Cork goes above and beyond in creating a chocolate red wine cake just in time for Christmas. The Mulled Wine Chocolate Cake not only complements red wine, but it is actually in the cake. This recipe embodies the taste of Christmas. Shannen uses a red wine reduction with a cinnamon stick, star anise and orange peel in the frosting. Yes, there is also wine in the frosting!

Mix dry ingredients:

2 cups caster sugar 1 cup light brown sugar 2 2/3 cup AP flour 1.5 cups cocoa powder (unsweetened) 3 teaspoon baking soda 1.5 teaspoon baking powder 1.25 teaspoon salt 2 teaspoon cinnamon 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg 1 teaspoon ground ginger

Mix together the following wet ingredients:

4 large eggs 1.5 cup greek yogurt 1/2 cup full fat milk 1 cup red wine 3/4 cup sunflower oil 1 tablespoon vanilla extract 1/2 cup hot water Heat oven to 160°C Grease and line with parchment 3 9” baking tins, oil parchment and sides of tins well. Mix dry ingredients with hand mixer or stand mixer with paddle attachment. Combine all wet ingredients in separate bowl with whisk, EXCEPT FOR HOT WATER, when combined add to dry ingredients , mix until combined, then slowly add the 1/2 cup hot water. Mix until combined, about 1 minute. Divide evenly between the 3 baking tins. Bake for 30-40 min. Check with toothpick in the centre to test for doneness. The cake should also be pulled away from sides of the tin. Let cool for 1 hour then turn out.

Mulled wine chocolate frosting:

In saucepan: 2 cups red wine Spices of your choice I used 2 star anise 2 cinnamon stick 5 slices orange rind Reduce wine on moderate flame until thickened.

On ban Marie:

12 oz 70% chocolate drops Simmer until melted Let cool slightly

In stand mixer or handheld mixer:

1lb butter 2 cups icing sugar 2 tablespoon milk Mix butter and icing sugar until pale Add 2 tablespoon milk, mix until incorporated Mix in melted & cooled chocolate Once chocolate is combined add in wine reduction Mix until just coming together, be sure to scrape down sides and bottom of bowl, so that all butter is combined with the chocolate and wine. Spread on cooled cake Ice as desired, decorate with dried or fresh fruits.

Serve with your red wine and enjoy all the oohs and ahhs this showstopping cake will receive.

Langa Frenesi

Shannen Butler Keane is the owner of Diva Boutique Bakery in Ballispittle, West Cork. She is from Seattle but has made her home in Ireland for over 20 years. It has been said that Shannen is "way ahead of the curve when it comes to food fashion." The bakery is home to award-winning seeded sourdough boule, lemon meringue tart and mince pies. Diva is a small bakery, and everything is baked in small batches throughout the day. From beautiful and unique layer cakes to freshly baked sourdough bread, scones, cookies and tarts. The bakery was the winner of the McKennas Guides Top 100 and Cafe of the year for 2020. Diva Bakery is currently offering Christmas online orders for collection.