Ingredients
- For the sponge
butter, for greasing - 9 free-range
eggs - 255g/9oz
caster sugar - 200g/7½oz
self-raising flour, sifted - 40g/1½oz
cocoa powder
- For the filling and topping
- 1 x 340g/12oz (drained weight) jar cherries, drained, juice reserved
- good dash of
Kirsch - 2 tbsp
arrowroot - 750ml/1¼ pint
double cream, whipped
- For the chocolate shards
- 300g/10½oz
dark chocolate - ½ tsp peppermint essence
- 110g/4oz
demerara sugar - 50g/2oz toasted
flaked almonds, to serve
- 300g/10½oz
Preparation method
Preheat the oven to 180C/350F/Gas 4. Grease and line a deep 26cm/10½in springform cake tin.
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For the filling, place the cherries into a bowl with the Kirsch. Place the cherry juice from the jar into a pan and bring to the boil. While the juice is heating, mix the arrowroot with a little water in a small bowl to make a paste. When the cherry juice is boiling, mix the arrowroot paste into it, then strain through a sieve into the bowl with the cherries and leave to cool.
Cut the cooled sponge into three layers using a sharp bread knife. Sandwich the three layers together using the whipped cream (reserve a little for attaching the chocolate shards) and half of the cherries in their syrup.
For the chocolate shards, place the chocolate into a heatproof bowl set over a pan of gently simmering water and heat, stirring occasionally, until melted and smooth. Stir in the peppermint essence and sugar, then spread the mixture onto a tray lined with cling film and allow to cool. Place into the fridge to set.
When the chocolate is set, break it into large shards and stick around the edge of the cake, using a little whipped cream on the back to hold the shards in place.
To serve, top with the remaining cherries and the almonds.