Chocolate birthday cake

Preparation

1. Preheat the oven to 180 degrees Celsius. Grease and flour a baking dish with a diameter of 22 cm.

2. Prepare the cake: into a small bowl sift the flour, baking powder and salt.

3. In a separate bowl, using a hand mixer, beat the butter and sugar until you get an airy mixture — about 3 minutes. Add the eggs one by one and whisk well after each addition. Add the vanilla extract and then the dry ingredients, and keep mixing until a uniform batter is obtained.

4. Pour the batter into the pan and put in the oven until the cake browns and a toothpick stuck in the center comes out clean — 18-20 minutes. Remove the cake from the oven and let it cool on a grid.

5. Prepare the ganache: In a small saucepan bring the cream to a boil. In a heat-proof bowl, put the chopped chocolate and pour the hot cream over it. Wait about 1 minute until the chocolate melts and then beat with a hand mixer until you get an airy and smooth cream. Let it cool to room temperature.

6. Prepare the syrup: In a saucepan with a thick bottom, bring the water and sugar to a boil, reduce the flame to a gentle boil and continue cooking until the sugar melts — about 10 minutes. Add the "quantero" and remove the syrup from the fire.

7. Assemble the cake: Cut the cake horizontally into two layers. Brush both layers with syrup and take care not to wet them too much. Spread half of the ganache on top of the first layer, cover with the second layer and spread the rest of the ganache on it. Use a long spatula to smooth the cream and cover the sides of the cake.

8. Generously decorate with colorful candies.