Prune & chocolate torte

A dinner party favourite

  • Prep:35 mins
    Cook:30 mins
    Plus soaking time
  • Serves 8
  • More effort

Nutrition per serving

  • kcal 311
  • fat 10g
  • saturates 6g
  • carbs 51g
  • sugars 31g
  • fibre 3g
  • protein 5g
  • salt 0.18g

Ingredients

  • 250g no-soak prunes, halved
  • 4 tbsp brandy
  • 25g cocoa powder
  • 100g plain chocolate (at least 70% cocoa solids), in pieces
  • 50g butter
  • 175g golden caster sugar
  • 4 large egg whites
  • 85g plain flour
  • 1 tsp ground cinnamon
  • lightly whipped cream or crème fraîche, to serve

Tip

To serve
The very best way to serve it is slightly warm, with lavish spoonfuls of lightly whipped cream or crème fraîche.

Method

  1. 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.

  2. 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.

  3. 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.

  4. 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.

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