Description
The Vicar of Dibley Puddle Chaos Cake is a rich and whimsical chocolate cake inspired by the beloved British sitcom. Featuring moist chocolate sponge layers, decadent chocolate buttercream, and playful decorations that recreate the iconic puddle scene, this cake is a show-stopping centerpiece. Perfect for themed parties, celebrations, or fans of the series, this recipe combines delicious flavor with creative cake design for a memorable baking project.
Ingredients
300 g unsalted butter, room temperature
300 g light brown sugar
300 g eggs (around 5 large eggs)
250 g self-raising flour
50 g cocoa powder
200 g unsalted butter, room temperature
400 g icing (confectioners) sugar
2 tablespoons melted chocolate
150 g melted chocolate (for decoration)
Green food colouring (oil-based)
White or pink fondant icing (or sugar paste)
Black fondant icing (or sugar paste)
Black food paint or edible ink pen
Instructions
- Bake the sponges: Preheat oven to 180°C (350°F) or 160°C fan. Grease and line two 6-inch round cake tins. Cream butter and sugar, add eggs one at a time, then fold in sifted flour and cocoa powder. Divide between tins and bake for 35–40 minutes until cooked through. Cool before decorating.
- Make the fondant figure: Shape white fondant into a head, black fondant into body and shoulders. Attach and add hair, painting details with edible ink. Set aside.
- Prepare the buttercream: Beat butter with half the icing sugar, then add the rest with a splash of milk. Mix until fluffy, then stir in melted chocolate. Color one-third green for grass.
- Assemble the cake: Place first sponge on a cake board and spread with chocolate buttercream. Pipe a border and pour in melted chocolate, letting it drip slightly. Carve a shallow ditch in the second sponge and place on top. Cover with buttercream for mud, pipe green buttercream grass, and fill the ditch with melted chocolate. Coat the fondant figure in chocolate and place it in the puddle.
Notes
- For a deeper flavor, add a splash of coffee to the sponge batter.
- Fondant decorations can be swapped for edible toppers to save time.
- The sponges can be baked in advance and frozen.
- Work quickly with melted chocolate to prevent it from setting too fast.
- Children can help decorate under supervision.
- Prep Time: 30 mins
- Cook Time: 40 mins
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: British
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 480
- Sugar: 42g
- Sodium: 160mg
- Fat: 26g
- Saturated Fat: 16g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 54g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 6g
- Cholesterol: 120mg
