Taste Tactics with John Stones

City and England defender John Stones tells us more about one of his favourite things to eat.

In the third episode of our Midea Taste Tactics series, Stones was asked his favourite cake.

Smooth and silky chocolate cake was always going to be the option for our stylish centre back.

With the help of expert baker Alice, Stones tells you how you can make your own.

Previously in the series, Zack Steffen has told us about his salmon teriyaki and Gabriel Jesus gave us an insight into his love of rice, beans, steak and eggs.

Here, Stones goes for something much more indulgent.

Find out more by clicking on the video below...

Method:

Pre-heat the oven to 180 C (fan).
In a large bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until pale.
Add the eggs one at a time, then sift in the flour, baking powder and cocoa powder.
Add the milk, then mix together until just incorporated.
Divide the mixture between 3 greased and lined, 6 inch cake tins.
Bake for 35-40 minutes until a knife comes out clean.
Leave to cool in the tins, then leave to cool fully on a wire rack.
Meanwhile make the ganache.
Melt the butter, cream and chocolate over the hob or in the microwave until fully melted, then leave to cool in the fridge until it can be scooped with a spoon.
Whip the cooled ganache until it is a piping consistency.
Level off the cakes with a sharp knife, and then stack the sponges with a layer of ganache in between each layer.
Crumb coat the cake with the ganache and leave in the fridge for 20 minutes.
Cover the cake in a thick layer of ganache and scrape until smooth.
Melt the chocolate and butter together until fully melted and then drip around the top of the cake.
With the leftover ganache, pipe around the top of the cake, and place the chocolates on top.
Add more chocolate decorations and the Man City logo around the cake to decorate.

Ingredients:

Chocolate Sponges:

Chocolate Ganache:

Chocolate Drip:

Decoration: