SQUIDGY CHOCOLATE & POMEGRANATE TORTE

Squidgy chocolate & pomegranate torte image

This rich dark chocolate sponge makes a great alternative Christmas cake, or dinner party dessert

Provided by Jane Hornby

Categories Dessert

Time 55m

Yield Cuts into 12 slices

Number Of Ingredients 10

Ingredients

225g unsalted butter , plus extra for greasing
250g dark chocolate (70% cocoa), broken into squares
5 large eggs
225g light muscovado sugar , squished through your fingers to remove any lumps
85g ground almond
50g plain flour , plus an extra 1 tbsp
150ml double cream
100g bar dark chocolate (70% cocoa), roughly chopped
1 tbsp icing sugar , sifted
handful pomegranate seeds

Steps:

Generously grease a 23cm springform tin, then line the base with parchment. Heat oven to 180C/160C fan/gas 4. Put the butter and chocolate in a medium bowl and gently melt together, either over a pan of simmering water or in the microwave. Stir until smooth, then set aside.
Crack the eggs into a large bowl, add the sugar, then whisk for 5-8 mins with electric hand beaters until thick, mousse-like and doubled in volume. Pour the chocolate mix around the edge of the bowl, then fold together using a large metal spoon until the batter is evenly brown with the odd ribbon of chocolate appearing. Don't rush this bit, it's important to preserve the bubbles you've so carefully made. Sift over the almonds, flour and ¼ tsp salt, then fold in until even. Slowly pour the batter into the tin, then use a spatula to get every last bit from the bowl. Bake on a middle shelf for 30-35 mins, or until the cake is risen and set on top. Cool the cake in its tin on a rack. The torte may sink and crack a little, which is fine.
For the topping, bring the cream to the boil. Put the chocolate in a bowl with the icing sugar, then tip the hot cream over it. Leave for a few mins, stir until smooth, then let it cool and thicken for 10 mins. Carefully remove the torte from its tin onto a plate, then spread the icing over the top, letting it drip down the sides. Leave to set for a few mins, then scatter with the pomegranate seeds and either chill for a few hours, or serve straight away.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 544 calories, Fat 40 grams fat, SaturatedFat 22 grams saturated fat, Carbohydrate 35 grams carbohydrates, Sugar 28 grams sugar, Fiber 3 grams fiber, Protein 7 grams protein, Sodium 0.2 milligram of sodium