Squidgy Chocolate Log Food

SQUIDGY CHOCOLATE LOG

Steps:

• Line a tin measuring 9"x13" with baking parchment.
• To make the mousse filling; In a bowl, whip the heavy cream until just going stiff.
• Break the chocolate into another bowl, place the bowl over a saucepan of simmering water and leave until melted.
• Remove from the heat and beat in the egg yolks, one at a time, followed by the cointreau, if using.
• Whisk the egg whites until stiff and fold them into the chocolate mixture, now fold in about 3 tablespoons of the whipped cream; Cover the bowl and chill for about an hour.
• To make the cake, preheat the oven to 350º F, place the egg yolks into a large bowl and whisk until they start to thicken, add the sugar and continue to whisk until the mixture thickens, but don't let it get over thick.
• Mix in the cocoa powder.
• Using a clean whisk and bowl, beat the egg whites to the soft peak stage.
• Carefully fold the egg whites into the chocolate mixture, pour the mixture into the prepared tin, making sure you spread it evenly to the edges of the tin.
• Bake for 20-25 minutes until springy and firm to the touch; (The cake may shrink as it cools but that is normal).
• When the cake is cold, turn out onto a rectangular piece of baking parchment, that has been liberally dusted with powdered (icing) sugar.
• Peel off the parchment paper and using a spatula spread the chocolate mousse all over the cake, followed by the rest of the whipped cream.
• Gently roll up the cake lengthwise, to make a roll.
• Dust with more powdered sugar if needed.
• Note that the cake will crack during rolling but that is normal and looks attractive.

CHOCOLATE SQUIDGY LOG

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 180 C. Oil and line a 29 x 18 x 2.5 cm tin, and lightly oil the baking paper.
• Break the chocolate into pieces in a bowl and add 2 tablespoons water. Place the bowl over a saucepan of simmering water and let the chocolate melt. Remove from the heat and beat with a wooden spoon until smooth.
• Beat the yolks of the 2 eggs on their own, then add and beat into the warm chocolate. Allow to cool for a bit.
• Whisk the 2 egg whites until stiff and fold into the chocolate mixture.
• Cover the bowl and chill in the fridge about an hour.
• Place the 6 egg yolks in a bowl and whisk until they start to thicken. Add the caster sugar and whisk until it thickens slightly - but don't let it get too thick.
• Mix the cocoa powder into the egg yolk mixture.
• In a separate bowl, use a clean whisk to beat the 6 egg whites until they form soft peaks.
• Gently and thoroughly fold the egg whites into the chocolate mixture. Pour the mixture into the prepared tim.
• Bake the cake on the centre shelf for 20 - 25 minutes, until springy and puffy. When the cake is cooked, remove fron the oven and leave it in the cake tin to cool. It will shrink as it cools.
• When the cake is cold, turn it out onto a sheet of baking paper that has been liberally dusted with icing sugar. Peel away the the lining paper from the tin.
• Spread the chocolate filling over the cake.
• Whip the cream softly and spread over the chocolate filling.
• Gently roll the cake up to make a log shape. The cake may crack, but this is normal.
• Keep the cake covered and store in the fridge until ready to slice and serve.

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.

CHOCOLATE KIRSCH LOGS

Steps:

• FOR LOG: Mix together chocolate (or Scotbloc) and almonds. Stir in icing sugar and Kirsch. Gradually mix in sufficient egg white to form a paste. Spread mixture on foil or silicon paper to cover an area 12x4-inches.
• FOR FILLING: Cream together butter and icing sugar in a bowl. Thoroughly beat in egg yolk, until light and fluffy. Stir in cherries. Spread filling evenly along center of log base. Fold over sides to enclose filling, Mold into a long roll.
• FOR COATING: Immediately spread chocolate (or Scotbloc) on to greaseproof paper, then lightly roll log over it to cover. Chill until required. Cut into small sections as liked, and decorate with cherries.