Chocolate Pumpkin-Spice Loaf

Preparation time: 30 minutes
Cooking time: 45 minutes
Serves: 12

150g unsalted butter, at room temperature
300g dark brown sugar
3 eggs
200g self-raising flour
3½ Tbsp cocoa powder
1 cup almond meal
2 tsp mixed spice
2 tsp ground cinnamon
½ cup sour cream
2 tsp vanilla paste
150 dark chocolate, melted and cooled

METHOD

1 Preheat oven to 180°C. Combine the butter and sugar in the bowl of an electric mixer and beat with the paddle attachment on medium speed for 5 minutes, until very light. Beat in the eggs, one at a time.

2 Mix the flour, cocoa, almond meal and spices in one bowl, then fold in gently, alternating with the sour cream and vanilla. Mix in the chocolate, then spoon into a well-buttered and floured 1½L loaf tin. Bake for 35-40 minutes, until a skewer can be inserted and removed cleanly. Cool briefly, then invert to turn out. Cool on a wire rack.