Jamie Oliver Chocolate Log Food

THE BEST HOT CHOCOLATE

Steps:

• Firstly, put a pan of milk on to the heat. Bring to a simmer, not a boil, and while it's heating, put a tablespoon of chocolate powder into each mug. Add a little warmish milk from the pan to each mug, you just need enough to dissolve the chocolate powder.
• At this point, plonk a few marshmallows into each mug. When the milk is at a simmer, carefully pour it into a plastic jug or flask. I normally do this over a sink as I always end up spilling a bit (the trick is to have a big enough jug or flask so the milk only half fills it: you need the extra space for shaking and frothing).
• Screw the lid on tightly, place a cloth over the lid for safety, and shake hard for a minute. Remove the lid, minding the steam, and pour into your mugs. A little stir and you can slurp your way to heaven!

YUMMY CHOCOLATE LOG

Steps:

• Heat the oven to 200C/180C fan/gas 6. Butter and line a 23 x 32cm Swiss roll tin with baking parchment. Beat the eggs and golden caster sugar together with an electric whisk for about 8 mins until thick and creamy.
• Mix the flour, cocoa powder and baking powder together, then sift onto the egg mixture. Fold in very carefully, then pour into the tin. Tip the tin from side to side to spread the mixture into the corners. Bake for 10 mins.
• Lay a sheet of baking parchment on a work surface. When the cake is ready, tip it onto the parchment, peel off the lining paper, then roll the cake up from its longest edge with the paper inside. Leave to cool.
• To make the icing, melt the butter and dark chocolate together in a bowl over a pan of hot water. Take from the heat and stir in the golden syrup and 5 tbsp double cream. Beat in the icing sugar until smooth.
• Whisk the remaining double cream until it holds its shape. Unravel the cake, spread the cream over the top, scatter over the crushed extra strong mints, if using, then carefully roll up again into a log.
• Cut a thick diagonal slice from one end of the log. Lift the log on to a plate, then arrange the slice on the side with the diagonal cut against the cake to make a branch. Spread the icing over the log and branch (don't cover the ends), then use a fork to mark the icing to give the effect of tree bark. Scatter with unsifted icing sugar to resemble snow, and decorate with holly.

JAMIE OLIVER'S TWO-NUTS CHOCOLATE TORTE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 190c/375f/Gas 5.
• Line the bottom of a 20 or 25cm/8 or 10" tin with a piece of greaseproof paper before buttering the bottom and sides, then dusting with flour.
• Place the nuts into a food processor and whizz up until finely ground.
• Add the chocolate and cocoa, and whizz for 30 seconds to break up the chocolate.
• Put to one side in a separate bowl.
• Add the butter and sugar to the food processor and beat until pale and fluffy.
• At this point, add the egg yolks one at a time, then mix together with the chocolate and nuts.
• In another bowl beat the egg whites with a pinch of salt, until they form stiff peaks.
• Gently fold the egg whites into the chocolate, butter and nut mix.
• Pour all the mixture into the tin.
• Bake in the preheated oven for around an hour.
• To test if the torte is cooked, insert a cocktail stick or the tip of a knife for five seconds.
• When removed, it should be reasonably clean.
• Serve with whipped cream, ice-cream or creme fraiche.