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Christmas Cake 2 - the glaze

Hopefully, you have made the easy rich chocolate fruit cake and are now looking to impress even further by decorating the cake.

This next stage can be a little daunting but challenging in a good way. I would recommend doing this over a weekend, and there are a few kitchen gadgets it is worth getting to make your life easier.

You will need a 24cm silicon cake tin like this one and some neat way of cutting your cake into three even slices. I found these little gadgets inexpensive and very useful. A cake decorating turntable also makes life easier.

Don’t worry if the edges are a little rough or if it isn’t perfect!

 

Step 1 - Chocolate mousse

  • Whip half of the double cream to soft peaks, pop in the fridge to chill

  • Heat the rest of the cream in a small saucepan until just below boiling point

  • Whilst the cream is heating chop the chocolate and put into a small bowl

  • Tip the cream over the chocolate and leave to melt

  • Stir until you have a smooth chocolate ganache

  • Pop the sugar and water in a small pan and start to heat

  • Using a sugar thermometer bring to 120C

  • In a new bowl whip the egg yolks, until they are light in colour, you will need an electric hand or stand mixer for this

  • Carefully drip in the hot sugar syrup whilst continually whisking, you might need a second pair of hands for this stage!

  • Whisk until the egg and sugar mix has doubled in size and cooled to room temperature

  • Once the ganache has cooled to the same temperature fold it into the egg mix

  • Fold the cold whipped cream into the chocolate mix in two batches

  • Divide the mousse into three even portions

 

Step 2 - Assemble the cake

  • Carefully cut the cake into three even slices

  • Using a silicon mould that is larger than your cake place the first slice on the bottom
    Top tip: put the mould on a tray to make lifting the cake easier

  • Cover with a third of the mousse, make sure the mousse is spread evenly over the cake and down the sides

  • Add the second cake and second portion of mousse

  • Add the last slice of cake and final portion of mousse, smoothing the top with a spatula

  • Put the whole cake in the freezer overnight

Step 3 - Make the glaze

  • Bring the cream, water and sugar to a boil in a small pan

  • Add the cocoa, whisk well and simmer for about 4 minutes whilst stirring

  • Remove from the heat to cool

  • Mix the gelatine powder into 60ml of water and allow to bloom

  • Whisk the gelatine into the warm chocolate glaze until completely dissolved

  • Tip into a jug and allow to cool to room temperature, but still be runny enough to pour

Step 4 - Pour!

  • Take the cake from the freezer and carefully remove from the mould

  • Invert the cake and put on a cooling rack above a tray, this is going to get messy!

  • Put the tray on to a rotating stand if you have one

  • Carefully and quickly pour the warm glaze over the cake, turning the cake as you go

  • The chilled cake will help set the glaze, so work fast

  • Pour evenly around the edges so the glaze drips down the side

  • You can smooth any bumps or cover any holes on the side with a palette knife

  • Any leftover glaze can be reheated and used again, or just let it set and eat as a chef’s treat - chocolate jelly!

Decorate the finished cake with a sprinkling of edible gold stars. Here I held a piece of card over two-thirds of the cake and sprinkled to give a sharp edge to the decoration.

Chill the cake in the fridge until the glaze has set but the cake has defrosted.

 Ingredients - The mousse

  • 400ml double cream

  • 200g 70% dark chocolate, anything over is too bitter, under is too sweet

  • 2 large egg yolks

  • 60g caster sugar

  • 60ml water

The glaze

  • 120ml water

  • 200g caster sugar

  • 120ml double cream

  • 60g cocoa powder

  • 10g powdered gelatine

  • 60ml water