Dark Chocolate Cake with a Blackberry jam middle

DessertServes 12

Pre Heat your oven to 170C (Not fan) Combine all the cake ingredients in a mixing bowl and beat together until a smooth batter is formed. Grease and line 2x 20cm Circular cake tins and pour in the batter spitting equally between them both, place in the oven and cook for 20-25 mins or until a cooked. (mention how to test this if you are with the other cakes) Leave for a few mins then remove from the tins and allow to cool on a cooling rack. When the cakes are cooked whip the double cream until firm. Add in the icing sugar jsut at the end of whipping. Firstly spread the jam generously over one of the cakes, followed by the cream. For a bit of extra luxury scatter in the chocolate chips if using the place the second cake on top.

Rhubarb and Ginger Cheesecake

DessertServes 12

Equipment - mixing bowl - sharp knife - microplane - measuring jug - whisk - wooden spoon - spatula - 25cm cake tin - rolling tin - chopping board Instructions 1. Preheat the oven to 200°C/Gas 6. Grease and line a 25cm lose-bottomed cake tin. 2. Cut two thirds of rhubarb into pieces about 5cm long. Place in an ovenproof dish and sprinkle with 55g of caster sugar. Roast in the oven for 20 minutes or until tender. 3. Meanwhile, cut the remaining rhubarb into pieces about 7.5cm long, place in another ovenproof dish with a tablespoon of caster sugar and roast until just tender but still holding their shape. Set aside to decorate the cheesecake. 4. To make the biscuit base, place the ginger biscuits in a plastic bag and crush with a rolling pin, leaving the mixture quite rough. Place the biscuit crumbs in a bowl, mix in the melted butter and press into the bottom of the prepared cake tin. Place in the fridge while you make the cheesecake mixture. 5. Beat the cream cheese with the remaining 125g caster sugar and the lemon zest, then add the soured cream and egg yolks and beat until smooth. 6. Spread the rhubarb onto the chilled biscuit base. Whisk the egg white until they hold soft peaks then fold into the cheese mixture and pour on top of the rhubarb. 7. Bake in the oven for about one hour, reducing the heat to 180°C/Gas 4 once the cheesecake has risen. The top should be firm to the touch but still slightly wobbly. Leave the cheesecake to cool then remove it from the tin, arrange the reserved rhubarb on top and dust with the icing sugar.