INGREDIENTS
50g (2oz) cocoa
6 tbsp boiling water
3 eggs
4 tbsp milk
175g (6oz) self raising flour
1 rounded tsp baking powder
100g (4oz) soft butter
275g (10 oz) natural caster sugar
For the icing and filling
150g (5oz) Dark chocolate, broken into small pieces
142ml (5 fl oz) pouring double cream
3 tbsp apricot jam
Recipe continues
METHOD
Pre-heat the oven to 180 degrees Celsius and grease two 8” sandwich tins and base line with baking parchment.
First measure the cocoa and boiling water into a large bowl, and mix well. Add the remaining ingredients and beat again until combined. This can also be made in a processor but be careful not to over mix. Divide the cake mixture between the prepared tins. Bake in the pre-heated oven for about 25-30 minutes until well risen and shrinking away from the sides of the tin.
For the icing and filling measure the chocolate and cream together in a bowl and stand the bowl over a pan of simmering water for approx 10 minutes until melted – stirring from time to time. Set aside and allow the icing to become cold and almost set.
When baked, remove the cakes and allow to cool completely. Spread the tops of each cake with apricot ham. Fill the cakes with half the icing and spread the remainder on top. Take a small palette knife and draw large “S” shapes to give a swirl effect. Decorate with mini eggs, crumbled flake bar as nest and chickens.
FOR THE AGA
Bake on the grid shelf on the floor of the roasting oven with the cold sheet on the 2nd set of runners for about 25 minutes.