This cake has a great chocolate flavour and is fudgy with a satisfyingly chewy crust. Preheat your oven to 180ºC (350ºF) or 160ºC (320ºF) for fan-forced. Butter and line a 20cm (8)” spring form pan. Melt 120g (4¼ oz) of butter and 200g (7 oz) of good quality dark chocolate pieces in a microwave, stirring…… Continue reading flourless chocolate cake
Category: cakes
rhubarb custard cake
Ruth made this attractive cake for a gathering recently. Lovely and moist and not too sweet with a good tang from the rhubarb. If rhubarb is not in season the cake will work just as well with other fruit. Preheat your oven to 180ºC. Lightly grease a 20cm round cake tin and line with baking…… Continue reading rhubarb custard cake
salted chocolate cheesecake
The chocolate content in this recipe makes this more like eating chocolate fudge than cheesecake. It’s very rich but the salt balances the sweetness. If you’re cooking for a large group this is no-bake, can be prepared 2 days ahead and will go a looong way! To make the crust place a packet of plain…… Continue reading salted chocolate cheesecake
banana maple cake
Not only did I have a surfeit of Maple syrup (thank you Luc) but I also found myself with over-ripe bananas. And here’s the perfect recipe! Preheat your oven to 170ºC (350ºC) and grease and line a 23cm (9′) springform cake tin. In a food processor blend 4 very ripe, peeled bananas until roughly chopped,…… Continue reading banana maple cake
meringue cake with strawberries
Cindy made this Mostachon (big moustache), a speciality of Monterey in Mexico. The cake has a deliciously chewy walnut meringue base and a rich cream cheese topping which droops around the edges – hence the name? It’s always served with fruit, in this case it was strawberries. Preheat oven to 170°C (340ºF). Grease and line…… Continue reading meringue cake with strawberries
flourless brownie
This is rich, delicious and my favourite brownie. Easy to make too. Melt together 200g (7 oz) of 70% dark chocolate, 650g (23 oz) of butter and 50g of cocoa powder until smooth and glossy. In another bowl whip 2 large or 3 small eggs with 150g (5½ oz) of caster sugar. Add this to…… Continue reading flourless brownie
pistachio and lemon bundt cake
This lovely moist cake is full of of flavour and good-looking to boot! Preheat your oven to 180ºC (350ºF) and generously grease a bundt pan. In a bowl combine 3 cups of flour with ½ a teaspoon of kosher salt. In a food processor pulse 2 cups of shelled and roasted pistachios until they are…… Continue reading pistachio and lemon bundt cake
almond and apricot pastry
Eve made this ensaïmada, a pastry which hails from Mallorca. Traditionally made with a lot of pork lard (saiïm in Catalan) this version, from a Yotam Ottolenghi recipe, uses only 100g (3½ oz) of butter. I’ve never tasted the original version but this one was moist and delicious and a fitting finale for a Spanish…… Continue reading almond and apricot pastry
yoghurt, honey and pistachio cheesecake with oranges in cardamom syrup
For the finale of our Summer Solstice feast Deborah made this cake from Crazy Water, Pickled Lemons by Diana Henry. With classic Middle Eastern flavours it was a perfect way to end the meal. For the biscuit base, bash 150g (5 ½oz) of sweet biscuits and 55g (2oz) blanched almonds together in a plastic bag using a…… Continue reading yoghurt, honey and pistachio cheesecake with oranges in cardamom syrup
lemon and blueberry polenta cake
A lovely lemony cake with pockets of moist blueberry and no wheat. This recipe makes one small 15cm (6″) cake. Preheat your oven to 180°C (350ºF) and grease and line your cake tin with baking paper. Cream 100g of unsalted butter with 100g of caster sugar until soft and pale. Beat in 2 eggs, one at…… Continue reading lemon and blueberry polenta cake
michelle picker cooks 