Ingredients:

• 225g (8oz) softened unsalted butter
• 350g (12oz) soft dark brown sugar eg muscovado
• 4 large eggs, beaten
• 225g (8oz) plain flour
• 1/2 teaspoon (tsp) baking powder
• 2 tsp bicarbonate of soda
• 400ml (14fl oz) Guinness or similar stout beer  (allow the head to settle before using)
• 100g (3 1/2 oz) cocoa powder
• 150g (5oz) grated dark chocolate, minimum 60% cocoa solids 

Instructions:

Preheat the oven to 180C / 350 F / gas mark 4

Grease a 23cm / 9inch  deep springform cake tin, and line it with greaseproof paper

Cream the butter and sugar and mix in the eggs.

Sift the flour, baking powder and bicarbonate of soda together

Mix the Guinness and cocoa in a jug, and add the grated chocolate

Add the flour and the Guinness mixture alternately to the cake mixture, stirring, until completely mixed, with a soft consistency.

Bake in the tin for 1 - 1 1/4 hours

If the top seems likely to burn after about an hour, but the cake is not ready, cover it with foil or greaseproof paper and continue baking until it is done.

Test the centre with a skewer or knife that will come out clean when the cake is done.

Remove from the oven and cool in the tin for 10 minutes, then turn it out to cool on a wire rack.