Name: Easter chocolate torte
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 40 min
Yield: 12
Ingredients: 100g (3 1/2 oz) butter, softened; 100g (3 1/2 oz) light soft brown sugar; 100g (3 1/2 oz) ground almonds; 4 large British Lion eggs, separated; 50g (1 3/4 oz) fresh brown breadcrumbs; 150g (5 1/2 oz) plain chocolate, melted; 225g (8oz) marzipan; 4 tablespoons apricot jam, melted; 200g (7oz) plain chocolate; 200ml (7 fl oz) double cream

Serves: 12
Prep: 15 mins
Cook: 40 mins

Chocoholics will love this decadent chocolate torte which will satisfy even the sweetest tooth out there. Just like our marzipan wonder, this torte looks amazing on the plate and tastes even better, combining the soft taste of almonds with chocolate, apricot, cream and marzipan. The whole thing takes less than an hour to make and will keep people coming back for more.

A decadent Easter treat that could also be served as a dessert when entertaining.

Ingredients

100g (3 1/2 oz) butter, softened
100g (3 1/2 oz) light soft brown sugar
100g (3 1/2 oz) ground almonds
4 large British Lion eggs, separated
50g (1 3/4 oz) fresh brown breadcrumbs
150g (5 1/2 oz) plain chocolate, melted
225g (8oz) marzipan
4 tablespoons apricot jam, melted
200g (7oz) plain chocolate
200ml (7 fl oz) double cream

Method

Grease a 23cm (9-inch) springform cake tin. Line the base. Preheat the oven to Gas Mark
Cream the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Stir in the almonds, egg yolks, breadcrumbs and melted chocolate. Whisk the egg whites until stiff and fold into the mixture. Spoon into the tin and bake for 40-45 minutes. Cover the cake with a damp teatowel and leave to cool in the tin.
Remove the cake from the tin and place upside down on a wire rack. Roll out the marzipan and cut out a 23cm (9 inch) circle. Cut the cake in half, brush the cut surfaces with jam, place the marzipan between and sandwich together. Brush the apricot jam all over. Melt the chocolate and cream together in a small pan, stirring until melted and smooth. Cool icing slightly.
Place a baking tray under the wire rack. Pour the icing all over the cake, gently shaking the wire rack to ensure the cake is completely covered. Leave to cool.
Decorate with the Easter eggs.