Prune & chocolate torte

Prune & chocolate torte

A dinner party favourite

Difficulty and servings

Moderately easy

Serves 8

Preparation and cooking times

Preparation time

Prep 25 - 35 mins

Cook time

Cook 30 mins

plus soaking time

Method

  1. Put the prunes and brandy in a small bowl and leave to steep for about 30 minutes until most of the brandy has been absorbed.
  2. Preheat the oven to 190C/Gas 5/fan oven 170C. Grease a 23cm/9in loose-bottomed cake tin or springform tin. Put the cocoa, chocolate, butter and 140g/5oz of the sugar in a pan, add 100ml/31⁄2fl oz hot water and gently heat until the mixture is smooth. Leave to cool slightly.
  3. Whisk the egg whites to soft peaks, then gradually whisk in the remaining sugar. Sift the flour and cinnamon over and gently fold in with a metal spoon, until almost combined. Add the chocolate mix and fold in until evenly combined.
  4. Pour the mixture into the tin and arrange the prunes over the top (they will sink into the sponge during baking). Sprinkle over any remaining brandy and bake for about 30 minutes until just firm. Serve with cream or crème fraîche.
Try

To serve

The very best way to serve it is slightly warm, with lavish spoonfuls of lightly whipped cream or crème fraîche.

Per serving

311 kcalories, protein 5g, carbohydrate 51g, fat 10 g, saturated fat 6g, fibre 3g, sugar 31g, salt 0.18 g

Recipe from Good Food magazine, April 2002.

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Latest comments and suggestions

  • Binder photo becky

    15 January 2008

    becky rated and commented on this recipe

    5 stars

    Mmmmm, this was so good, and kept well for a few days too. yum

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  • Binder photo clairu-claira

    18 March 2008

    clairu-claira commented on this recipe

    made this for mothers day for my family, it was an absolute stunner and well easy!!

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  • Binder photo sue

    27 March 2008

    sue rated this recipe

    5 stars

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  • Binder photo Moo

    06 November 2008

    Moo rated and commented on this recipe

    5 stars

    This is so easy and so tasty - I would make it again for sure

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  • Binder photo trufflehound

    29 July 2009

    trufflehound rated and commented on this recipe

    5 stars

    The perfect weekend dessert � rich and sophisticated, but dead easy to make. Instant classic in our household.

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  • Binder photo Fiona

    07 August 2009

    Fiona commented on this recipe

    This is the best pudding I have ever made, my mum and dad really loved it and was so easy. You HAVE to make this!

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  • Binder photo joanna Watson

    10 August 2009

    joanna Watson commented on this recipe

    Being a bit blonde here... Can I use tinned prunes?

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  • Binder photo PanClanger

    28 August 2010

    PanClanger rated and commented on this recipe

    2 stars

    I found there were far too many prunes! Ended up snacking on them and getting slightly tiddly on the brandy they'd been steeped in. So not complaining! This was a nice dessert, but I think I've had better chocolate fixes - I'd probably look for a different recipe next time I'm after a chocolate-based pudding.

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  • Binder photo Dawn

    22 May 2011

    Dawn commented on this recipe

    This is a fabulous recipe - works equally well with canned or bottled cherries - I've also made it with dried apricots soaked in brandy -- yum yum

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  • Binder photo Joy

    21 November 2011

    Joy commented on this recipe

    Made this for dinner party and was fab u lous!! my family have ordered it again for Christmas.

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  • Binder photo pknutsen

    25 January 2012

    pknutsen rated and commented on this recipe

    5 stars

    I made it few days ago. It is an awesome recipe. Tastes great and not very sweet. Absolutely will made it again.

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  • Binder photo Kerry

    26 February 2013

    Kerry commented on this recipe

    Just about to make this, but is it possible to use self-raising flower instead? Or will the cake turn out very different? Thanks

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Difficulty and servings

Moderately easy

Serves 8

Preparation and cooking times

Preparation time

Prep 25 - 35 mins

Cook time

Cook 30 mins

plus soaking time

Ingredients

  • 250g no-soak prunes , halved
  • 4 tbsp brandy
  • 25g cocoa powder
  • 100g plain chocolate (at least 70% cocoa solids), in pieces
  • 50g butter
  • 175g golden caster sugar
  • 4 large egg whites
  • 85g plain flour
  • 1 tsp ground cinnamon
  • lightly whipped cream or crème fraîche , to serve
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Per serving

311 kcalories, protein 5g, carbohydrate 51g, fat 10 g, saturated fat 6g, fibre 3g, sugar 31g, salt 0.18 g

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