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    Crunchie Drip Cake

    25/01/2019 by thebakingexplorer 26 Comments

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
    Crunchie Drip Cake

    This celebration worthy Crunchie Drip Cake is made up of three layers of chocolate cake, with Crunchie buttercream between each layer, surrounded by rich chocolate buttercream and decorated with a chocolate drip, more Crunchie buttercream and then lots of Cadbury's Crunchie bars on top. It's Crunchie heaven! This cake would make such a perfect birthday or celebration cake for the Crunchie fan in your life!

    Crunchie Drip Cake

    Ingredient Tips & Equipment Information

    • Make sure all your ingredients (particularly the butter and eggs) are at room temperature before you start baking.
    • I used a baking spread for the cake and unsalted butter for the buttercream.
    • Crunchie spread is available from Asda, Sainsburys and online. Check the recommend equipment and ingredient section below for an Amazon link. If you can't get hold of it, you can make extra chocolate buttercream and use that instead.
    • You can use any cocoa powder for this cake, of course the better quality it is, the better flavour it will have. Also do make sure you are using cocoa powder and not a hot chocolate powder.
    • For all the tips and tricks on how to make a drip cake, including a how to video, check out my Ultimate Drip Cake How To Guide!
    • Although I provide cup measurements, I highly recommend weighing your ingredients out using digital kitchen scales*. It is the most accurate way to measure ingredients and will ensure the best results. Digital scales are very low cost and can be purchased for around £12 ($16.50) .
    • For teaspoon (tsp) and tablespoon (tbsp) measurements, please use measuring spoons* and not the type of spoons you eat with. Again this will ensure accuracy and provide the best results.

    For the full recipe with measurements, head to the recipe card at the end of this post.

    How to make a Crunchie Drip Cake

    To make the chocolate sponges, mix together butter and sugar, then whisk in eggs and milk. Add self raising flour, cocoa powder and baking powder, and mix in. Divide the mixture evenly between three lined and greased 8″ cake tins. Bake them for 35 minutes, and leave them to cool.

    For the Crunchie buttercream, mix together butter and icing sugar, then add the milk and Crunchie spread and mix until smooth. For the chocolate buttercream, mix together the butter, cocoa powder and icing sugar, then add milk and mix until smooth. To stack and decorate the cake, level off each sponge with a cake leveller so they are all an even height, Then place the bottom chocolate sponge on a decorating turn table, pipe chocolate buttercream around the edge and fill the middle with Crunchie buttercream. Do the same with the next sponge.

    Then cover the cake with a crumb coat of chocolate buttercream and put it in the fridge for 30 minutes. Next add the final layer of chocolate buttercream and smooth it out. Add the chocolate drip, and pipe Crunchie buttercream all around the cake in rosettes.

    Finally break up the Crunchie bars and place them on top. Also chop up some more Crunchie bars and place them in the centre of the cake.

    For the full recipe with measurements, head to the recipe card at the end of this post.

    Crunchie Drip Cake

    Can the cake be made in different size cake tins?

    Yes! If you would like to make this cake in different size tins, please check my Conversion Guide to find out how to adjust the recipe.


    How do you get the perfect chocolate drip?

    It's really important to have a good base for the chocolate drip, so the cake needs a 'crumb coat' then a top layer of buttercream. Try and get it as smooth as you can so the chocolate drip has a nice even surface to drip down. Each layer of buttercream needs to firm up in the fridge and be chilled when you apply the chocolate drip. Be frugal with the drip amounts at first and see how far it drips, then you can reduce or increase the amount of chocolate you release from the piping bag or squeeze bottle as you move around the cake. For all the information, including a tutorial video and step by step instructions with photos, check out my Ultimate Drip Cake How To Guide!

    How long does the cake last for and can you freeze it?

    The cake will keep in an airtight container for 3 days in a cool place. You can freeze the sponges either alone, or decorated (but do not freeze the crunchies). Once the sponges are fully cool, wrap them well with cling film or put them in an airtight container with some baking paper between them. You can freeze the buttercream on it’s own in a tub, or you can decorate the cake and freeze it fully assembled. To do this and avoid damage to the decoration, freeze it either in an airtight container or let it freeze solid on a cake board or plate, then wrap in cling film. Remove the cling film when you take it out to defrost it, if you don’t it could damage the decoration as it defrosts and softens. You can also freeze slices of the cake, again well wrapped in cling film or in airtight containers.

    What if you can't find the Crunchie spread?

    Crunchie spread is available from Asda, Sainsburys and online. Check the recommend equipment and ingredient section below for an Amazon link. If you can't get hold of it, you can make extra chocolate buttercream and use that instead.

    Crunchie Drip Cake

    Can you make the cake with plain/all purpose flour?

    Self raising flour, which is very commonly used in the UK where I am based, already contains a raising agent and a little salt too. Therefore if you want to swap it for plain or all purpose flour, you will need to add some additional baking powder and also a little salt if you like. Some people like to add salt to cake recipes and some don't, so I'll leave that up to you as it won't affect the bake. The general advice is to add 2 teaspoons baking powder (a measuring teaspoon, not the kind you stir your coffee with) per every 200g plain or all purpose flour. So for this recipe you'd need to add 4 teaspoons baking powder. Please note, I have not tested this recipe using plain or all purpose flour.

    Can this cake be made dairy or gluten free?

    Yes! For gluten free you can replace the self raising flour with a gluten free self raising flour blend. If you only have a gluten free plain flour blend, you will need to add additonal baking powder. The general advice is to add 2 tsp baking powder per 200g flour, so for this recipe you'd need to add 4 teaspoons baking powder. You may also like to add ¾ tsp xanthan gum for better texture. For a dairy free version, use a dairy free baking spread and dairy free milk for both the cake and buttercream.

    Troubleshooting

    If you have any questions about this recipe, or if something went wrong and you need help, please use the comment form below and I will get back to you. You can also get in touch with me on my Twitter, Instagram or Facebook. I'd love to hear from you!

    Recommended equipment & ingredients*

    • 8" cake tins
    • Mixing bowls
    • Cooling rack
    • Kitchen scales
    • Angled palette knife
    • Buttercream scraper/smoother
    • Round cake tin liners
    • Decorating turntable
    • Piping bags
    • Electric mixer
    • Crunchie Spread
    • Cake leveller

    *The items above are all affiliate links. I will receive a small amount if you make a purchase, this does not increase the price for you at all. Thank you for supporting The Baking Explorer!

    Crunchie Drip Cake

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      Biscoff & Banana Cake with Caramel Drip
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      Halloween Red Velvet Drip Cake
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      Easter Speckled Egg Drip Cake
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      Biscoff Drip Cake

    More Crunchie recipes...

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      Crunchie Cheesecake (No Bake)
    Crunchie Drip Cake

    Crunchie Drip Cake

    Chocolate cake with crunchie buttercream, chocolate buttercream and chocolate drip
    5 from 9 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Dessert
    Cuisine: British
    Keyword: Cake
    Prep Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
    Cook Time: 35 minutes
    Total Time: 2 hours 5 minutes
    Servings: 16
    Author: thebakingexplorer

    Ingredients

    For the sponge

    • 500 g Caster sugar
    • 500 g Butter or baking spread
    • 9 Eggs large
    • 425 g Self raising flour
    • 75 g Cocoa powder
    • 1 tbsp Milk
    • ¼ tsp Baking powder

    For the Crunchie buttercream

    • 200 g Butter or baking spread
    • 400 g Icing sugar
    • 200 g Crunchie spread
    • 1 tbsp Milk

    For the chocolate buttercream

    • 350 g Butter or baking spread
    • 615 g Icing sugar
    • 85 g Cocoa powder
    • 1 tbsp Milk

    For a chocolate ganache drip

    • 65 g Dark chocolate
    • 65 ml Double cream

    OR for cheat's chocolate drip

    • 75 g Dark chocolate
    • 1 tsp Vegetable oil

    For decoration

    • 7 Crunchie bars
    Metric - US Customary

    Instructions

    • Pre-heat your oven to 160C Fan/350F/Gas Mark 4, and grease and line three 8" cake tins that are at least 2" deep
    • Make the sponge by mixing the butter and caster sugar in a large bowl until fluffy, ideally using an electric mixer
    • Add the eggs and milk, and whisk until fully incorporated
    • Add the self raising flour, cocoa powder and baking powder and whisk in until you can't see any flour anymore
    • Divide the mixture between the tins, use scales for accuracy
    • Bake them for 30-35 minutes or until a skewer inserted in the middle comes out clean. Leave them to fully cool either in the tins or remove from the tin and place on cooling racks
    • To make the chocolate buttercream mix the butter, cocoa powder and icing sugar together. Once it starts to come together add the milk and mix until smooth (you can add more milk if it's too stiff). For best results use an electric mixer
    • To make the Crunchie buttercream mix the butter and icing sugar together. Once it starts to come together add the milk and Crunchie spread and mix until smooth (you can add more milk if it's too stiff). For best results use an electric mixer
    • If the cakes have domed on top, level them off with a cake leveller or a knife
    • Put one of the sponges on a decorating turntable and pipe a border of chocolate buttercream around the edge of the sponge
    • Fill in the centre of the sponge with some Crunchie buttercream, then add the next sponge on top
    • Do the same again - pipe a chocolate buttercream border and fill the centre with Crunchie buttercream, then add the final sponge on top
    • Use some chocolate buttercream to fully crumb coat the cake, then put it in the fridge for 30 minutes to firm up
    • Coat the cake with a second layer of chocolate buttercream and smooth it out as best you can. Then put it back in the fridge for 30 minutes to 1 hour to set
    • To make the dark chocolate ganache chocolate drip, put the ingredients into a bowl and microwave for 20 seconds, then stir. Continue microwaving in 10 second blasts, stirring between each blast, until melted and smooth
    • OR To make the cheat's dark chocolate drip, melt the dark chocolate in the microwave for 30 seconds, then stir. Continue microwaving in 10 second blasts, stirring between each blast, until melted and smooth. Stir in the vegetable oil
    • Put your chosen chocolate drip mixture into a piping bag and snip a small section off the end
    • Pipe blobs around the edge of the cake, allowing the chocolate to drip down the sides in varying amounts
    • Use a palette knife to smooth the chocolate on the top of the cake. You can cover the whole top of the cake with chocolate it you like
    • Put the remaining Crunchie buttercream into a piping bag with your chosen nozzle and pipe swirls all around the edge of the cake
    • Place the chopped Crunchie bar pieces all around the edge and sprinkle more finely chopped up Crunchie bar pieces in the middle
    • Move the cake onto a serving plate or cake stand, and dig in! Leftovers will keep in an airtight container in a cool place for 2-3 days
    Made this recipe?Share on Instagram with me @TheBakingExplorer or tag #thebakingexplorer!

    Notes

    • Make sure all your ingredients (particularly the butter and eggs) are at room temperature before you start baking.
    • I used a baking spread for the cake and unsalted butter for the buttercream.
    • Crunchie spread is available from Asda, Sainsburys and online. Check the recommend equipment and ingredient section below for an Amazon link. If you can't get hold of it, you can make extra chocolate buttercream and use that instead.
    • You can use any cocoa powder for this cake, of course the better quality it is, the better flavour it will have. Also do make sure you are using cocoa powder and not a hot chocolate powder.
    • For all the tips and tricks on how to make a drip cake, including a how to video, check out my Ultimate Drip Cake How To Guide!
    • Although I provide cup measurements, I highly recommend weighing your ingredients out using digital kitchen scales*. It is the most accurate way to measure ingredients and will ensure the best results. Digital scales are very low cost and can be purchased for around £12 ($16.50) .
    • For teaspoon (tsp) and tablespoon (tbsp) measurements, please use measuring spoons* and not the type of spoons you eat with. Again this will ensure accuracy and provide the best results.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 1063kcal | Carbohydrates: 124g | Protein: 10g | Fat: 63g | Saturated Fat: 39g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 17g | Trans Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 239mg | Sodium: 519mg | Potassium: 300mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 96g | Vitamin A: 1842IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 63mg | Iron: 3mg

    If you like this, check out more of my Cake recipes!

    « Lemon & Blueberry Cupcakes
    Vegan Strawberry Mousse with Pistachio Shortbread »

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Midge @ Peachicks' Bakery

      January 27, 2019 at 2:29 pm

      5 stars
      That's one stunning cake! Hubby would love this for his birthday!

      Reply
      • thebakingexplorer

        February 01, 2019 at 5:42 pm

        Thanks so much!

        Reply
    2. Deirdre

      January 28, 2019 at 6:28 pm

      5 stars
      Oh wow, how did you get the chocolate drips so perfect? I love Crunchies, I can predict what the next birthday cake I make will be...

      Reply
      • thebakingexplorer

        January 28, 2019 at 10:18 pm

        Thank you! I put the chocolate drip mixture into a piping bag and pipe blobs to drip down the sides

        Reply
      • Sophie

        November 29, 2020 at 4:49 pm

        Hello what piping nozzle do you use to get this effect? Looks amazing x

        Reply
        • thebakingexplorer

          November 29, 2020 at 9:49 pm

          Hi Sophie, it was either 2d or 1m from Wilton, sorry I can't remember exactly!

          Reply
    3. Lou | Crumbs and Corkscrews

      January 28, 2019 at 9:52 pm

      Oh my... that looks and sounds utterly amazing! The perfect party cake, although I'm not sure if I would be willing to share it, ha!

      Reply
      • thebakingexplorer

        February 01, 2019 at 5:44 pm

        Thanks so much Lou, I know the feeling! 😀

        Reply
    4. Rita

      January 28, 2019 at 11:03 pm

      5 stars
      Lovely Cake! Friday Fiesta Rocks!

      Reply
      • thebakingexplorer

        February 01, 2019 at 5:45 pm

        Thank you!

        Reply
    5. Monika Dabrowski

      January 29, 2019 at 8:14 am

      5 stars
      Looks almost too good to eat, I love how you've decorated your cake!

      Reply
      • thebakingexplorer

        February 01, 2019 at 5:49 pm

        Thanks Monika!

        Reply
    6. Jenny Paulin

      January 29, 2019 at 1:57 pm

      5 stars
      ooooh Kat this cake is to die for . Like died and gone to chocolate cake and crunchie heaven!!! I wish in was pregnant so I could make all these yummy cakes and have a good reason to eat them!!!! YUM!
      thank you for shorting with #Bakeoftheweek x

      Reply
      • thebakingexplorer

        February 01, 2019 at 5:50 pm

        Ah thank you so much!

        Reply
    7. Anna | Once Upon A Food Blog

      January 29, 2019 at 7:48 pm

      This looks gorgeous! I'm not the world's biggest chocolate fan but I do like Crunchies and would definitely be happy to polish a slice or two of this cake off!

      Reply
      • thebakingexplorer

        February 01, 2019 at 5:51 pm

        Ah thank you Anna, that's a great compliment!

        Reply
    8. Cat | Curly's Cooking

      January 29, 2019 at 9:24 pm

      5 stars
      Oh wow. This looks amazing! Your drip is absolutely perfect and the layers look great!

      Reply
      • thebakingexplorer

        February 01, 2019 at 5:51 pm

        Thank you so much Cat!

        Reply
    9. frugal hausfrau

      January 30, 2019 at 4:15 am

      This cake is gorge! And those flavors! Wish I had a crunchy bar right now AND the cake!!

      Thanks for sharing with us at Fiesta Friday!

      Mollie

      Reply
      • thebakingexplorer

        February 01, 2019 at 5:52 pm

        Thank you so much!!

        Reply
    10. esti buesa

      April 23, 2020 at 7:07 pm

      5 stars
      This is fantastic recipe for a gorgeous cake! I made it for my son's 13th and he was delighted!
      Fantastic blog, thanks Kat xxx

      Reply
      • thebakingexplorer

        April 23, 2020 at 10:32 pm

        Thank you so much Esti!

        Reply
    11. Janet

      August 20, 2021 at 6:20 pm

      I’m going to make this cake for a grooms cake for my sons wedding. It will be stacked 10 inch with 8 inch on top and covered in crunch bars. They are his favorite candy and I couldn’t think of a better way to show him how much I love him

      Reply
      • thebakingexplorer

        August 21, 2021 at 8:37 pm

        That sounds amazing Janet! He will love it!

        Reply
    12. Jayne

      October 05, 2021 at 11:24 am

      5 stars
      Also made this cake for my step sons birthday. Was fabulous. This is my go to site for recipes. They are fab recipes.

      Reply
      • thebakingexplorer

        October 05, 2021 at 11:35 am

        Thank you so much Jayne for your lovely feedback!

        Reply

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