Chocolate And Prune Cake Food

PRUNE & CHOCOLATE TORTE

Steps:

• Put the prunes and brandy in a small bowl and leave to steep for about 30 minutes until most of the brandy has been absorbed.
• Preheat the oven to 190C/Gas 5/fan oven 170C. Grease a 23cm/9in loose-bottomed cake tin or springform tin. Put the cocoa, chocolate, butter and 140g/5oz of the sugar in a pan, add 100ml/31⁄2fl oz hot water and gently heat until the mixture is smooth. Leave to cool slightly.
• Whisk the egg whites to soft peaks, then gradually whisk in the remaining sugar. Sift the flour and cinnamon over and gently fold in with a metal spoon, until almost combined. Add the chocolate mix and fold in until evenly combined.
• Pour the mixture into the tin and arrange the prunes over the top (they will sink into the sponge during baking). Sprinkle over any remaining brandy and bake for about 30 minutes until just firm. Serve with cream or crème fraîche.

CHOCOLATE, PRUNE AND ALMOND CAKE

Steps:

• Line a 20 cm square cake tin. Melt 225 g of the chocolate and all the butter together in a heavy-based pan over a low heat. Spread the nuts on a grilling tray and toast until the skins begin to blister. Rub the nuts with a cloth, discarding the skins, then return the nuts to the grill til golden brown. When the chocolate is melted, remove from the heat and stir in the nuts, prunes and eggs. Spoon the mixture into the lined cake tin and leave to set in the fridge overnight.
• When completely set, remove from the tin and peel off the paper. Melt the remaining chocolate in a bowl over a pan of genly simmering water then pour the chocolate over the cake and return the cake to the fridge to set. With a large heavy knife, cut the cake in half. Then cut each half into 6 slices making 12 slices in total.