Jamie Oliver’s Chocolate Celebration Cake

Cooling Time: 30 minutes total.

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 180ºC (350ºF/Gas 4). Grease and line a 23cm deep loose-bottom cake tin, lining the base and sides with a double layer of greaseproof paper.
2. For the sponge, break up the chocolate and melt it in a large heatproof bowl with the butter, oil and sugar over a pan of gently simmering water until smooth and glossy.
3. Remove the bowl from the heat and leave to cool for 10 minutes, then beat in the eggs, one at a time, using an electric hand whisk on high speed until combined. Sift in the flour and cocoa with a good pinch of sea salt and beat briefly until combined.
4. Pour into the prepared tin and bake for about 50 minutes, or until a skewer inserted comes out very lightly (the top of the cake will rise and crack a little, but don’t worry, this All will be covered. Your beautiful toppings). Leave to cool in the tin for 15 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
5. Place the cake on a stand, use a long knife to carefully cut the sponge horizontally into 3 equal balls and remove the top two sponges for separate plates (see on Jamie Oliver’s YouTube channel).
6. For the chocolate rice layer, break up the chocolate and melt in a large heatproof bowl with the butter, honey, cream and a pinch of salt over a pan of gently simmering water until smooth and glossy. Leave to cool for 5 minutes (to avoid soggy grains!), then stir into the puffed rice until evenly coated. Divide the mixture over the 3 cooled sponge layers and spread evenly over the top, going right up to the edges.
7. To make the nougat frosting, place the egg whites in a heatproof bowl with the honey, sugar, cream of tartar, a pinch of salt and a splash of water. Place over a pan of gently simmering water, turn the heat to high, and beat with an electric hand whisk for 6 to 7 minutes, or until it forms peaks. Remove the bowl from the heat, add the vanilla extract and orange blossom or rose water (if using), then whisk the mixture until it thickens. Let cool for 5 to 10 minutes, then place each sponge evenly on top and stack them neatly.
8. To finish off the cake nicely, use a large knife to shave off some of the excess chocolate, then sprinkle it over the top. Add your candles or sparklers, light them up and indulge in chocolate celebration cake heaven. Enjoy!

This recipe is an edited excerpt. Jamie’s Comfort Food (Michael Joseph). Recipe © Jamie Oliver 2014. Recipe appears in Jamie’s Comfort Food Series 1.