It’s been two years since I made the coconut cake for Matt’s birthday. Today, he is 17! Surely this post was just a few weeks ...

Andrew used his Gran’s recipe for a classic light chocolate cake and topped it with chocolate icing, chocolate shards, hazelnuts and raspberries for a spectacular finish fit for a birthday.

and has become a traditional birthday cake. A hit of sour cream and a combination of butter and oil ensure that the layers stay moist and sturdy for stacking into a celebratory tall cake.