A seriously adult dessert; this is rich in every sense of the word. The layer of sponge offsets the dense, chocolatey texture of the centre. You’ll need to start this recipe a day ahead.
Ingredients
Chocolate sponge
Cognac raisins
Method
Main
1.For chocolate sponge, preheat oven to 220C. Whisk eggs and caster sugar in an electric mixer until pale and triple in volume (8-10 minutes). Sift over flour and cocoa powder and gently fold until combined, then fold through melted butter. Pour into a greased and baking paper-lined 30cm x 42cm baking tray, smooth top and bake until cake springs back when lightly pressed (4-5 minutes). Turn onto a wire rack to cool.
2.Melt chocolate in a heatproof bowl over a saucepan of simmering water and set aside. Whisk egg yolks and sugar in an electric mixer until pale and frothy (4-5 minutes). Stir through melted chocolate and butter until combined. Whisk eggwhites and a pinch of salt until firm peaks form, then fold through chocolate mixture and set aside.
3.Cut chocolate sponge to fit the base and sides of a 8cm x 22cm straight-sided loaf pan, line pan with sponge and fill with chocolate mixture. Trim remaining sponge to fit top, cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 6 hours or overnight.
4.Meanwhile, for Cognac raisins, combine sugar and 2 tbsp water in a small saucepan over high heat, stirring, until sugar dissolves, then simmer for 2 minutes, add raisins and Cognac and remove from heat. Set aside to cool (raisins will keep refrigerated for up to 2 months, the flavour will improve with age).
5.Remove cake from mould and thickly slice with a warmed knife. Serve with Cognac raisins spooned over.
