No Bake Chocolate Cake

If like me you enjoy the idea of entertaining but come to the day of the gathering you are so far behind on ideas. A planned itinerary which you devised the night before with such conviction, is now already gone to pot as you wake up at least two hours late, find yourself having a dreadful hair day and nothing seems to be going to plan.
You think you'll stick to a recipe you know like the back of your hand - but for desert, your plans of soufflés and beautifully crafted chocolates as goodies have become a distant memory as you realise the kids are writing on the walls and your Dauphionses' are burning.

Well this recipe is perfect, quick and so scrummy, and I can guarantee your guests will LOVE IT! Chocolate lovers, boozy bums and coffee connoisseurs will love all variation of this recipes.


Preparation time: 10 Minutes.
 


Ingredients:
225g 70% Dark Chocolate, Well chopped
225g Heavy Cream
Pinch of Salt
Cocoa Powder to serve

Optional:
25 ml Amaretto
Orange Zest/Juices
2 tsp Finely Ground Espresso
50g Mixed Chopped Nuts (Shelled crushed Pistachio's for Yuletide Gatherings)


Lightly butter a 6 inch loaf tin (any tin/pan will do, I just like the shape)
Line with parchment paper and set to one side.

Barely melt the chocolate in a bowl over a simmering pan of water, in a separate medium pan heat the cream over a gentle heat, at this point add any optional ingredients, when the cream is warm/ hot to the touch but NOT boiling, remove from heat and stir in the salt.

Slowly pour the chocolate into the cream, steadily stir until all the mixture comes together. They must be well combined and not at all separate. Pour the mixture into the ready prepared tin, cover with cling wrap and refrigerate until chilled throughout for a few hours or ideally overnight.

When ready to serve, carefully remove from the tin, let set to room temperature for around ten minutes, dust with cocoa powder, slice and serve with whipped cream.

Serves 12.
Laurie Rose x