Sticky Prune Chocolate Cake Food

CHOCOLATE PRUNE CAKE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°F.
• Prepare bundt pan.
• Sprinkle soda on prunes.
• Pour boiling water over and allow to cool.
• Cream butter and sugar in food processor.
• Add eggs.
• Add prune mixture and process for 15 seconds.
• Gradually add flour sifted with cocoa.
• Mix until blended with on/off motion.
• Pour into pan.
• Bake 45-55 minutes.
• When cool, turn out.
• Sprinkle with powdered sugar.

STICKY CHOCOLATE CAKE

Steps:

• Heat oven to 180C/160C fan/gas 4 and line a loose-based 20cm cake tin with baking parchment. Put the butter and chocolate in a medium saucepan and heat gently, stirring all the time, until melted.
• Put 2-3 tbsp of the marmalade in a small bowl and set aside. Off the heat, stir the rest of the marmalade and the sugar into the buttery melted chocolate, and mix well, then break in the eggs and mix again. Finally, stir in the flour in three batches, folding lightly until combined. Scrape into the tin and smooth the top.
• Bake for 45-55 mins, rotating the tin halfway through so it bakes evenly. Keep an eye on it in the later stages as (depending on your marmalade) there may be a tendency for the top to scorch. After about 30 mins, cover loosely with foil. If it starts to get a little dark, tent loosely with a sheet of foil.
• The cake is cooked when the centre is firm when gently touched, and a skewer inserted in the centre comes out with a very few crumbs attached, like a brownie.
• Allow to cool for 10 mins, then turn out and leave to cool right-side-up on a wire rack. Heat the reserved marmalade in the microwave until runny, then brush all over the cake to glaze. Leave to cool before serving.

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.