Squidgy Chocolate Cakes With Prunes In Marsala Food

SUNKEN DRUNKEN CHOCOLATE CAKE

Steps:

• Heat oven to 180C/160C fan/gas 4. Gently heat the prunes and Marsala over a low heat until hot. Remove from the heat and leave for about 1 hr or until the prunes have absorbed almost all of the liquid. Whizz the prunes and any remaining booze in a food processor until roughly chopped.
• Butter and line the base of a 20cm springform tin. Dust with cocoa, tip out any excess and reserve. Melt the butter and chocolate in a heatproof bowl set over a pan of barely simmering water. Stir in the prune mix.
• Whisk the sugars, 2 eggs and 2 egg yolks until pale, thick and doubled in volume. Fold the chocolate mixture and vanilla into the egg mixture, then sift over the ground almonds, flour and remaining cocoa. Fold until everything is combined.
• Whisk the egg whites until stiff and gently fold into the mixture. Spoon into the prepared tin and bake for 20-25 mins or until a light crust has formed. Allow to cool in the tin - it will sink and crack as it cools. Remove from the tin and dust with cocoa before serving.

CHOCOLATE MARSALA CAKE

Steps:

• Spray a 20cm round cake tin with cooking spray and line with non-stick baking paper.
• Preheat oven to 180 C / 350°F.
• Place all ingredients into bowl of electric mixer.
• Beat on slow until everything is combined, then increase speed to medium and beat for 3 minutes.
• Pour into tin.
• Bake for 40 minutes or until a skewer inserted comes out clean.

DARK & SQUIDGY CHOCOLATE TORTE

Steps:

• Heat oven to 180C/160C fan/gas 4. Butter and line the base and sides of a 23cm springform or loose-bottomed cake tin. Put the butter and chocolate into a pan and gently melt together until smooth. Meanwhile, using an electric whisk, beat the eggs and sugar together for 5 mins until billowy and about the thickness of old-fashioned custard.
• Pour the chocolate and butter mix into the whisked egg and sugar, then fold it in very carefully using a large metal spoon. Mix the flour, almonds and ¼ tsp salt together, then fold into the mix until even. Spoon into the tin and bake for 35-40 mins until evenly set with a slight crust all over the top. Leave the cake to cool until warm, then release from the tin. Dust with cocoa, then cut into wedges.

SQUIDGY PEAR & HAZELNUT CHOCOLATE SPREAD CAKE

Steps:

• Heat oven to 160C/140C fan/gas 3. Butter then line a round 23cm springform baking tin. Put the chocolate spread in a large bowl and add the butter, eggs and a pinch of salt. Whisk for 1 min with electric beaters until the mixture is smooth and slightly bubbly.
• Sift in the flour and cocoa, then fold in with a spatula until smooth. Scrape into the tin and level the top. Peel, quarter and core the pears. Cut 4 slits through the fat part of each quarter, then press lightly to make a fanned shape. Use a pastry brush to glaze the pears with apricot jam, then lift onto the cake in a clock-face pattern. Don't press the pears into the mix.
• Scatter with the nuts and bake for 40 mins until risen with a thin crust. The cake will have a very slight wobble when it's ready, and a skewer inserted into the middle will come out coated with soft cake batter. Brush another thin layer of the jam over the pears (this stops the fruit from turning brown). Cool in the tin and serve warm or cold, with double cream.