Chocolate Prune Cognac Cake Recipe 45

Steps:

• Prunes: Combine prunes, 1/3 cup cognac & 3 tbsp sugar in a heavy saucepan. Bring to a simmer, stirring constantly. Remove from heat. Cover and let steep 2 hours. Cake: Melt chocolate with 5 tbsp cognac & coffee in a heavy 2qt saucepan over low heat, stirring constantly. Whisk in butter 1 tbsp at a time. Mix in 3/4 cup sugar, flour, cinnamon, and allspice. Blend in yolks. Cool mixture slightly. Preheat the oven to 350. Butter 8-10 cup bundt pan dust with flour. Using electric mixer, beat egg whites, salt, & cream of tartar until soft peaks form. Add 1/4 cup sugar 1 tbsp at a time & beat until almost stiff but not dry. Whisk chocolate mixture to loosen. Gently fold in 1/4 whites. Gently fold back into remaining whites. Gently fold in prune mixture. Pour into prepared pan. Bake until center if firm about 45min- 1 hour. Cool in pan 25 minutes. Cool on rack compeletely. Wrap tight and let stand overnight. Glaze: Bring cream to simmer in a heavy saucepan. Remove from heat. Stir in chocolate. Cover and let stand 5 minutes. Add Cognac. Cool until glaze mounds slightly on spoon. Spoon glaze over cake. Allow glaze to drip down sides. Let stand until set.

Steps:

• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°F.
• Prepare bundt pan.
• Sprinkle soda on prunes.
• Pour boiling water over and allow to cool.
• Cream butter and sugar in food processor.
• Add eggs.
• Add prune mixture and process for 15 seconds.
• Gradually add flour sifted with cocoa.
• Mix until blended with on/off motion.
• Pour into pan.
• Bake 45-55 minutes.
• When cool, turn out.
• Sprinkle with powdered sugar.

Steps:

• Place the cookies in a plastic bag and crush them with a rolling pin.
• Transfer them to a mixing bowl.
• Place the 2-3/4 oz. of chocolate and 1/2 cup of butter in a microwave bowl.
• Place in microwave and melt them in 15 second increments.
• Stirring a few times.
• Give the chocolate and butter a final stirring to mix well, then pour over the cookie crumbs and mix together.
• Put this mixture into a 9-inch springform pan and press down to form a base.
• Place in the refrigerator while preparing the filling.
• Place the chocolate in a large microwave safe mixing bowl and melt in 15 second increments.
• Beat in the mascarpone, egg yolks and brandy.
• Whip the cream until it just holds its shape and fold it into the chocolate mixture.
• Using a grease-free bowl and clean beaters, whip the egg whites to soft peaks.
• Add the sugar, a little at a time, and beat until the whites are thick and glossy.
• Fold the whites into the chocolate mixture in two batches, until just mixed.
• Spoon the mixture onto the chilled base and place in the refrigerator for 2 hours.
• To serve:.
• Carefully remove the cake from the pan and transfer to a serving plate.
• Pipe 12 rosettes of the whipped cream and top each with a chocolate coffee bean.
• Cut into 12 wedges and serve.