I remember the first time I tried Jamie Oliver’s Mars Bar Cake. It was a rainy Saturday afternoon and I was craving something indulgent, gooey, and chocolatey. The moment I took the first bite, the mix of caramel, chocolate, and crunchy biscuit felt like pure comfort. That day, I realized desserts aren’t just food-they’re experiences.
- Comfort food is more than taste-it’s memory and emotion
- A cake like this is perfect for celebrations or a quiet weekend treat
- Jamie Oliver’s recipes always bring a homely yet slightly adventurous twist
Jamie Oliver’s Mars Bar Cake Recipe
I’ve tried countless chocolate cakes over the years, but Jamie’s version stands out. It’s rich, chewy, and full of textures that make each bite different. The genius is in how simple ingredients come together to create something extraordinary.
- Uses everyday ingredients but transforms them into luxury
- Chewy caramel, gooey chocolate, crunchy biscuits, soft cake base
- Quick to prepare, yet impressive to serve
Ingredients Needed
The first time I gathered everything for this recipe, my kitchen looked like a chocolate shop exploded. It’s important to have everything ready because once you start, this cake moves fast.
- 250g unsalted butter
- 200g brown sugar
- 250g plain chocolate, chopped
- 100g Mars bars, roughly chopped
- 100g digestives or other plain biscuits, crushed
- 4 large eggs
- 50g cocoa powder
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
Optional:
- Icing sugar for dusting
- Extra chopped Mars bars or chocolate chunks for topping
How To Make Jamie Oliver’s Mars Bar Cake
I always tell friends that making this cake is a mix of patience and joy. Watching chocolate melt and biscuits combine into gooey goodness feels almost magical.
- Preheat oven to 180°C / 160°C fan
- Grease and line a cake tin
- Melt butter and chocolate together in a heatproof bowl over simmering water
- Remove from heat, stir in brown sugar until fully combined
- Fold in eggs one at a time, ensuring mixture is smooth
- Gently fold in crushed biscuits and chopped Mars bars
- Add cocoa, vanilla, and a pinch of salt
- Pour mixture into prepared tin, level the surface
- Bake for 25-30 minutes-center should be slightly gooey, not dry
- Allow cake to cool in the tin for 10 minutes before transferring to a wire rack
Ingredient Science Spotlight
I love knowing why recipes work. It makes cooking feel like a small science experiment, and Mars Bar Cake is no exception.
- Butter & Chocolate: Provide fat for richness and moisture. Melting them together creates a smooth emulsion
- Eggs: Bind the ingredients and add structure while keeping the cake soft
- Brown Sugar: Retains more moisture than white sugar, giving chewiness
- Digestive Biscuits: Add crunch and absorb some caramel for texture contrast
- Cocoa Powder: Enhances chocolate flavor without adding extra fat
Expert Tips
I learned a few tricks the first time I overbaked this cake. Now it’s foolproof every time.
- Melt chocolate gently to avoid graininess
- Don’t overmix eggs-overmixing can make the cake tough
- Keep an eye on baking time; a slightly underbaked center is perfect
- Line your tin carefully to prevent sticking
- Use quality Mars bars-the difference in caramel texture is noticeable
Recipe Variations
After making this cake a dozen times, I’ve experimented with tweaks that make it even more fun.
- Nutty Version: Add chopped hazelnuts or almonds for crunch
- Double Chocolate: Fold in chocolate chips for pockets of melted chocolate
- Mini Cakes: Use a muffin tin for individual treats
- Caramel Drizzle: Warm up extra caramel and drizzle on top for extra gooeyness
Final Words
Every time I make this cake, it brings back memories of laughter, chocolate-smeared fingers, and that first warm bite. It’s not just a dessert, it’s a little celebration in a tin.
- Easy to make, yet feels luxurious
- Perfect for sharing or treating yourself
- Brings a sense of nostalgia and comfort
FAQs
How Do I Make Jamie Oliver’s Mars Bar Cake?
Start by melting butter and Mars bars in a pan. Then mix in rice krispies and press the mixture into a tin. Let it cool and set in the fridge.
Can I Use Other Chocolate Bars Instead Of Mars Bars?
Yes, you can swap Mars bars for similar caramel and chocolate bars like Snickers or Milky Way, but the flavor might vary.
How Long Does Jamie Oliver’s Mars Bar Cake Need To Set In The Fridge?
It should set for about 1-2 hours to ensure it’s firm enough to slice.