Boozy Damson Chocolate Cake

I’ve been making Damson Vodka for the past few years.  Friends with Damson trees have been generous with the fruit in the Autumn and by Christmas the lovely warming, jewel coloured drink is ready to be bottled, given as a gift or drunk by me.

The first time I made Damson vodka I couldn’t think what to do with the fruit.  It had been pickled in the sugar and vodka mixture for two months and smelled delicious in the bottom of the jar. It was far too interesting to throw away,certainly.

Then I had the idea of combining it in a chocolate cake.

The fiddly job is to remove the stones from the damsons and then put the soft fruit in the base of a lined cake tin.

Spread the damsons out to completely cover the base.

Cover with your usual chocolate sponge mixture.

Once baked and cooled tip out the cake so the fruit is now on top.

I like to eat this with a splash of double cream or plain yogurt.

This cake is quickly becoming  a welcome Christmas tradition in my family alongside the vodka itself, of course!