Mulled wine and hazelnut loaf cake

Instructions

1. Step 1

   Heat the oven to 180C/160C fan/gas 4. Butter and line a 12cm x 22cm loaf tin. Put the hazelnuts in a small baking tray and roast for 5 mins or until golden but not deeply browned. Leave to cool, then blitz in a food processor or very finely chop.

2. Step 2

   Sift the flour, cocoa, baking powder, cinnamon and 1/2 tsp of salt into a bowl. Put the butter, sugar and vanilla in the bowl of a stand mixer. Using a paddle attachment, beat for 3-4 mins or until creamed. Beat in the eggs one at a time.

3. Step 3

   Add the flour mixture and mulled wine in three parts each, alternating between the two. Make sure to incorporate well but not overmix. Fold in the hazelnuts. Pour the batter into the lined loaf tin and bake for 1 hr - to check if it is cooked, a toothpick poked through to the middle should could out clean. Leave the cake to cool in the tin.

4. Step 4

   For the frosting, put the butter and icing sugar in the bowl of a stand mixer and, using a paddle attachment, beat for 2-3 mins or until light and fluffy. Beat in 100g of the melted dark chocolate. Fold in the soft cheese, being careful not to overmix as it can make a loose frosting.

5. Step 5

   Once the cake is completely cooled, pile on the icing, then decorate lavishly with fruits, herbs, spices, chocolate and nuts. Top it off with a drizzle of the remaining melted chocolate. It's delicious on its own or served with cream.