I made this chocolate cake for D’s birthday once and it is absolutely gorgeous. I was worried it wouldn’t work out as there’s no flour in it, but work out it did and it is now my favourite ever chocolate cake. It’s from a Sainsbury’s recipe book that I picked up back in the early 1990s; there was a whole series of them and this recipe is from Puddings and Desserts. Unfortunately I don’t have a photograph so I’ll have to bake it again and remember to take one next time – bummer!
For the cake
225g plain dark chocolate, broken
225g butter, softened
225g caster sugar
6 eggs
225g ground hazelnuts
100g fresh breadcrumbs
2 oranges – rind only, finely grated
A little orange marmalade
For the chocolate icing
100g plain dark chocolate
10ml honey
50g butter
Hazelnuts to decorate (optional)
1. Preheat the oven to 190°C/ 170°C fan/ gas mark 5.
2. Butter two 22cm sandwich cake tins and line with greaseproof paper. Dust with flour.
3. Melt the chocolate in a bowl set over a pan of boiling water. The water must not touch the bowl. When melted and smooth leave to cool a little.
4. Whisk the butter then add in the caster sugar a little at a time until the mixture is light and fluffy.
5. Whisk in the eggs one at a time, mixing well.
6. Whisk the melted chocolate into the mixture.
7. Add in the hazelnuts and breadcrumbs until evenly mixed.
8. Stir in the grated orange rind.
9. Pour the mixture into the tins and smooth the tops of the cakes.
10. Bake for 20-25 minutes in the middle of the oven until the centre feels firm when you touch it lightly. Do not overcook.
11. Leave the cakes to cool in their tins then turn out. Remove the greaseproof paper.
12. Spread one cake with the marmalade and position the other cake on top. Be careful as they are fragile.
For the icing
1. Melt the chocolate, butter and honey in a bowl over a pan of hot water, and stir until smooth.
2. Set the bowl over cold water and stir the mixture until it thickens.
3. Pour the chocolate mixture over the cake then spread it across the top and around the sides.
4. Decorate with hazelnuts – or not, it’s up to you.
5. Show off your work of art to your other half, kids, friends and neighbours.
6. Eat! Yummy.