CHOCOLATE
FOR CHOCOLATE DESSERTS, ALWAYS SPLASH OUT ON THE BEST QUALITY CHOCOLATE YOU CAN AFFORD FOR THE MOST WONDERFUL DEPTH OF FLAVOUR
DOUBLE-CHOCOLATE MOUSSE CAKE
SERVES 10
Begin this recipe 1 day ahead. You’ll need a 12cm-wide sheet of acetate paper (from cake and art supply shops).
500g chocolate fudge brownie packet mix
400g dark (70%) chocolate, chopped
400g milk chocolate, chopped
6 eggs, separated
1 titanium-strength gelatine leaf
900ml thickened cream
½ cup (110g) caster sugar
Preheat oven according to brownie packet instructions. Grease a 23cm springform cake pan and line base with baking paper. Prepare brownie mix according to instructions and spread into prepared pan. Bake according to instructions, removing 5 minutes before cooking time so it is slightly undercooked. Cool completely (the brownie will pull away from edge of pan). Grease sides of pan and line with the acetate around the brownie leaving a 5cm overhang
Place chocolates in a heatproof bowl set over a saucepan of simmering water (don’t let the bowl touch the water) and stir until melted and smooth. Cool slightly, then beat in egg yolks. Set aside.
Soak gelatine in a small bowl of cold water for 5 minutes to soften. Place 200ml cream in a small saucepan over low heat and bring to a simmer. Squeeze excess water from gelatine and stir into hot cream until melted and combined. Set aside to cool, then beat into chocolate mixture.
In a bowl, whisk remaining 700ml cream to stiff peaks. Set aside. In a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, whisk eggwhites to stiff peaks. Add sugar, 1 tbs at a time, and beat until sugar is dissolved and mixture is glossy. Fold whipped cream into chocolate mixture, then, in 2 batches, fold in eggwhites. Pour over brownie base and chill overnight until set.
To serve, warm the outside of the pan with a hot cloth, then gently release cake from pan.
CHOCOLATE LICORICE TART
SERVES 8-10
Begin this recipe 1 day ahead.
1⅔ cups (250g) plain flour, sifted
½ cup (60g) pure icing sugar, sifted
½ cup (50g) good-quality cocoa, plus extra to dust
125g cold unsalted
