Tasty birthday surprise

Well, I said that on Thursday I made a cake for my sister-in-laws birthday as a surprise and in lieu of a present. I love giving gifts, don't get me wrong, but I feel that giving someone something you have made is so much more special and thoughtful. So I thought I would make her a cake. One I had never made before... it's always a danger that it may be a complete disaster. I didn't take a photo so there really is no proof that it wasn't a complete flop. You'll just have to take my work for it that is it truly delicious. Anyway I love this recipe and thought I'd share it with you. It is perfect for a very special chocoholic's birthday.

Flourless chocolate torte with raspberries

300g best chocolate (70 per cent cocoa)

200g butter

4 eggs 200g caster sugar

Garnish:

Creme fraiche

300g raspberries, fresh or frozen

50g caster sugar

Melt 100g of chocolate over water and pour over a robust tray, such as a clean roasting tray. Allow to cool. Add the rest of the chocolate and the butter into the same bowl and allow to melt and mix. Stir well.

Separate the eggs and beat 100g sugar into each bowl, making the whites into soft peaks. Beat the yolk mixture into the chocolate and butter mixture, then beat in half the whites, then fold the rest of the whites into the mixture.

Grease a 20cm cake tin and dust with cocoa. A greased paper disc underneath is a great idea. Bake at 160C for about 25 minutes; the centre should just wobble. Allow to cool, then turn out upside down. If it has souffled, press gently.

Serve warm with raspberries warmed with the sugar until it is dissolved, and with the creme fraiche and the 100g of cooled chocolate broken into chards or crumbled over the top for decoration.