A sudden downpour on a lonely afternoon, found me in front of the TV, eyes glued to the cooking channel. If one can't indulge in these delectable, calorific dishes which reek havoc on my expanding hips, one can at least be visually satisfied! Well I was quite delighted to come across this simple recipe for chocolate mousse cake, which the family pleaded I make for tea. Immensely satisfying and delectably delicious, the family had indeed made a good decision. A slice of this heavenly cake can just be eaten on its own or even be dressed up with a dollop of ice cream and maybe even a compote of stewed fruit. Whatever takes your fancy, the chocolate mousse cake should be your favourite dessert companion. Have 30 minutes to spare, well it's time to get baking then.

Ingredients 

· 300 g dark chocolate, broken into pieces, or dark chocolate drops
· 150 g butter
· 5 eggs
· 50 g sugar
· Cocoa powder, for dusting

Method 

Preheat the oven to 180C/160c fan/gas 4. Line the base of a 20 cm diameter spring-from/loose bottomed cake tin with a disc of baking parchment and grease the sides with butter.

Place the chocolate and butter in a heatproof bowl set over a saucepan of simmering water and allow to melt, then remove from the heat and set aside.

Place the eggs and sugar in a separate bowl and, using a  mixer, whisk for 7 to10 minutes or until the mixture forms a light, pale mousse.

Fold the chocolate mixture into the eggs until fully combined, then pour into the prepared tin and bake for 20 to 22 minutes or until the cake is almost set. Allow to cool down completely in the tin before removing, then dust with cocoa powder and cut into slices to serve.

By Mayuri Jayasinghe