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A chocolate Birthday cake decorated with sweets and chocolate confectionery

Chocolate Fingers Cake

An easy chocolate fingers cake decorated with plenty of lollies, marshmallows and chocolates... the perfect birthday party cake!
5 from 23 votes
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Course: Cakes
Cuisine: American
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes
Servings: 16 serves
Calories: 683kcal

Equipment

  • Oven
  • Beaters, stand-mixer or Thermomix

Ingredients

For the cake

  • 220 g (1 and ¾ cups) plain flour
  • 350 g (1 and ¾ cups) caster sugar superfine sugar
  • 65 g (¾ cup) cocoa powder
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • 2 tsp bi-carbonate soda
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 250 g (1 cup) buttermilk
  • 125 g (½ cup) vegetable oil
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 250 g coffee 2 espresso shots or 3 tsp coffee granules mixed with 250g water

For the frosting

  • 250 g unsalted butter
  • 360 g icing sugar
  • 65 g (¾ cup cocoa powder
  • 45 g milk
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • ½ tsp salt

To decorate

  • 800 g chocolate finger biscuits I used Cadbury brand (or replace with Kit Kats)
  • your choice of chocolates and lollies chocolate freckles, marshmallows, crispy M&Ms, Maltesers, Bounty bars, chocolate honeycomb, chocolate pops, strawberries and cream lollies, mini meringues etc.

Instructions

To make the cake

  • Preheat oven to 170 degrees celsius (fan-forced). Grease a 23cm round tin and set aside. 
  • Sift the flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking powder, bi-carbonate soda and salt into a bowl and set aside.
  • Using beaters or a stand mixer, mix the buttermilk, oil, room temperature eggs and vanilla in a large bowl until well combined.
  • Slowly add all of the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients with the mixer on low. Pour in the coffee and mix until well combined. 
  • Pour the batter into the prepared tin and bake for approximately 35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the centre comes out clean (don't overcook the cake - you want it to be nice and fudge-like!).
  • Allow to cool completely.

To make the frosting

  • Beat the butter on high speed until smooth and creamy.
  • Reduce the speed to low and slowly add in the icing sugar as well as the cocoa powder. Beat until combined. 
  • Turn the mixer up to medium speed and add in the vanilla extract, milk and salt. Beat on high speed for 1 minute.

To decorate

  • Place the chocolate mud cake onto a serving plate or board.
  • Spread the frosting generously over the sides and top of the cake.
  • Press the chocolate fingers (or Kit Kats) firmly in place all around the sides.
  • Use the chocolate fingers to create 'dividers' on top of the cake (use as many 'dividers' as you need depending on the number of different chocolate/lollies planning you have).
  • Fill each section with a different type of chocolate or lolly.
  • Add a mini meringue to the centre of the cake.
  • Use the ribbon to tie a bow around the cake.

Notes

RECIPE NOTES & TIPS
  • Time savings options – if you’re short on time, use a store-bought mud cake and tub of frosting.
  • Go heavy on the frosting – slather the cake with lots of frosting on the sides and top to help keep the chocolate fingers and decorations in place.
  • Size of chocolates and lollies – it’s best to use smaller lollies and chocolates as they’re easier to fit in the little gaps
  • Chocolate fingers alternative – if you prefer, you can replace the chocolate fingers with Kit Kats, musk sticks or even licorice sticks
  • Colour – go for bright coloured toppings – they look great! Or choose colour co-ordinated lollies for a baby shower or party.
  • Storing – this cake can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for 3-4 days.
  • Making the cake ahead of time – you can prepare the cake, allow it to cool completely, wrap in plastic wrap and then a layer of foil and freeze for up to 3 months. Allow to defrost in the fridge overnight before frosting and decorating.

Nutrition

Calories: 683kcal | Carbohydrates: 94g | Protein: 7g | Fat: 34g | Saturated Fat: 22g | Cholesterol: 56mg | Sodium: 536mg | Potassium: 312mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 66g | Vitamin A: 459IU | Calcium: 80mg | Iron: 4mg