RICH CHOCOLATE LAYER GATEAU

An extravagant treat which will delight your guests


Ingredients:

100g/ 3 ½ oz Homepride Plain flour

50g/ 2 oz cocoa powder

50g/ 2 oz butter

4 eggs, size 3

175g/ 6 oz caster sugar

Syrup
175g/ 6 oz sugar

150 ml ¼ pint water

Tia Maria or coffee flavored liqueur to taste

Filling and topping
365g/ 12 ½ oz plain chocolate, chopped or grated

150 ml/ 5 fl oz fresh whipping cream

30 ml/ 2 tbsps brandy (optional)

Grated chocolate and chocolate shapes for decorating


Procedure:

1. Preheat oven to 180 °C/ 350 °F/ Gas mark 4.

2. Grease and base line a 20cm (8-inch) cake tin.

3. Sieve together the flour and cocoa powder. Melt the butter and allow to cool slightly.

4. Whisk together the eggs with the sugar until pale in color and the whisk leaves a thick line when lifted out.

5. Using a metal spoon carefully fold in half of the sieved flour and cocoa, then pour in a thin stream of melted butter at the side of the bowl. Fold in remaining flour.

6. Pour the cake mixture into the prepared tin and bake in the preheated oven for 30-40 minutes, until well risen and spongy to the touch.

7. Allow to cool slightly before turning out onto a wire rack and removing the lining paper. When quite cold slice the cake horizontally into 3 layers.

8.To make the moistening syrup, gently boil together the sugar and water for about 3 minutes, until the sugar is dissolved. Cool and add the Tia Maria. Pour the prepared syrup liberally over the top surface of each slice of cake.

9.To prepare the chocolate filing, melted the chocolate in a bowl over a pan of simmering water, and gradually add the fresh cream whilst whisking continuously. Allow to cool then whisk well until smooth.

10. Sandwich the three moistened layers of the gateau together with the chocolate filling, allowing about 45ml (3 tbsps) for each layer. Using a palette knife, carefully cove the sides and top of the cake with the remaining chocolate mixture.

11. Decorate the gateau with grated chocolate and shapes before serving.


Cook’s Notes:

Time: Preparation takes 45 minutes, cooking takes 30 to 40 minutes.

Cook’s tip: Chill the chocolate base before slicing horizontally into three with a bread knife.

Serving Ideas: For an extra special treat serve with whipped cream or ice cream. Delicious served slightly warmed-heat individual servings for a few seconds in the microwave.