Chocolate & Baking

I've decided to dedicate this week to chocolate and baking, I'm going to be testing out new recipes and digging out old favorites with the main ingredient being chocolate of course!

Today i've made a Rococo Chocolate cake, it's similar to the classic French chocolate cake, dark, dense, moist and very rich. There is no flour or raising agent in this cake, just eggs, chocolate, sugar and ground almonds.It's quick to prepare and can be served simply as it is or dressed up with fresh summer berries such as raspberries or strawberries, dusted with cocoa powder and icing sugar and served with a scoop of good quality vanilla ice-cream.

Rococo Chocolate cake

200g 70% dark chocolate 
25g unsalted butter
5 large eggs, seperated
175g caster sugar
125g ground almonds
2tbsp milk
icing sugar and cocoa powder


1) preheat the oven to 180c, 160c fan oven, gas mark 4. 
2) slowly melt the chocolate in a bowl set over a pan of simmering water, Remove from the heat and stir in the butter until melted.
3)With an electric whisk beat the egg whites to soft peaks, then gradually add the sugar until you have a stiff mixture.
4)Finally add the milk. Pour into a round 25cm spring form tin and level the surface.
5) Bake for 40 to 45 minutes until firm to the touch. Allow to cool completely, then dust with icing sugar and cocoa powder.
6) Cut into thin slices and serve with vanilla ice-cream or fresh fruit.