Squidgy Chocolate Log Recipes

Steps:

• Heat the oven to 200C/180C fan/gas 6. Butter and line a 23 x 32cm Swiss roll tin with baking parchment. Beat the eggs and golden caster sugar together with an electric whisk for about 8 mins until thick and creamy.
• Mix the flour, cocoa powder and baking powder together, then sift onto the egg mixture. Fold in very carefully, then pour into the tin. Tip the tin from side to side to spread the mixture into the corners. Bake for 10 mins.
• Lay a sheet of baking parchment on a work surface. When the cake is ready, tip it onto the parchment, peel off the lining paper, then roll the cake up from its longest edge with the paper inside. Leave to cool.
• To make the icing, melt the butter and dark chocolate together in a bowl over a pan of hot water. Take from the heat and stir in the golden syrup and 5 tbsp double cream. Beat in the icing sugar until smooth.
• Whisk the remaining double cream until it holds its shape. Unravel the cake, spread the cream over the top, scatter over the crushed extra strong mints, if using, then carefully roll up again into a log.
• Cut a thick diagonal slice from one end of the log. Lift the log on to a plate, then arrange the slice on the side with the diagonal cut against the cake to make a branch. Spread the icing over the log and branch (don't cover the ends), then use a fork to mark the icing to give the effect of tree bark. Scatter with unsifted icing sugar to resemble snow, and decorate with holly.

Steps:

• Line a tin measuring 9"x13" with baking parchment.
• To make the mousse filling; In a bowl, whip the heavy cream until just going stiff.
• Break the chocolate into another bowl, place the bowl over a saucepan of simmering water and leave until melted.
• Remove from the heat and beat in the egg yolks, one at a time, followed by the cointreau, if using.
• Whisk the egg whites until stiff and fold them into the chocolate mixture, now fold in about 3 tablespoons of the whipped cream; Cover the bowl and chill for about an hour.
• To make the cake, preheat the oven to 350º F, place the egg yolks into a large bowl and whisk until they start to thicken, add the sugar and continue to whisk until the mixture thickens, but don't let it get over thick.
• Mix in the cocoa powder.
• Using a clean whisk and bowl, beat the egg whites to the soft peak stage.
• Carefully fold the egg whites into the chocolate mixture, pour the mixture into the prepared tin, making sure you spread it evenly to the edges of the tin.
• Bake for 20-25 minutes until springy and firm to the touch; (The cake may shrink as it cools but that is normal).
• When the cake is cold, turn out onto a rectangular piece of baking parchment, that has been liberally dusted with powdered (icing) sugar.
• Peel off the parchment paper and using a spatula spread the chocolate mousse all over the cake, followed by the rest of the whipped cream.
• Gently roll up the cake lengthwise, to make a roll.
• Dust with more powdered sugar if needed.
• Note that the cake will crack during rolling but that is normal and looks attractive.

Steps:

• Heat oven to 180C/160C fan/gas 4. Butter and line the base and sides of a 23cm springform or loose-bottomed cake tin. Put the butter and chocolate into a pan and gently melt together until smooth. Meanwhile, using an electric whisk, beat the eggs and sugar together for 5 mins until billowy and about the thickness of old-fashioned custard.
• Pour the chocolate and butter mix into the whisked egg and sugar, then fold it in very carefully using a large metal spoon. Mix the flour, almonds and ¼ tsp salt together, then fold into the mix until even. Spoon into the tin and bake for 35-40 mins until evenly set with a slight crust all over the top. Leave the cake to cool until warm, then release from the tin. Dust with cocoa, then cut into wedges.