Chocolate gateau with walnuts

A bit of creativity with my strawberries as I am bored with my old style.









Here goes the recipe of my own version.

Chocolate gateau with walnuts:

Ingredients for theWalnut-crumb sponge:

1) 175 g/6oz butter

2) 175 g/6oz caster sugar

3) 3 large eggs

4) 100 g/4oz self-raising flour, sifted with half tablespoon

5) baking flour or plain flour with 1 and half teaspoons

6) baking powder

7) 40 g walnuts, finely chopped

8) 40 g digestive biscuits, crushed

Filling:

1) 250 ml whipping cream

2) walnuts for taste

3) 6 tablespoons of caster sugar (adjustable to own preference)

4) 8 tablespoons of cocoa powder (adjustable to own preference)

Recipe:

1) Line a 9 inch springform cake tin with baking parchment or greaseproof paper

2) cream the butter and sugar until soft and light. Beat the eggs. Gradually beat the eggs into the creamed mixture, adding a little flour and baking powder if the mixture shows signs of curdling. When all the eggs have been incorporated, add the rest of the flour, the nuts and crumbs.

3) Spoon into the tin and bake in a preheated oven, 180 celcius/ 350 farenheits/ Gas Mark 4, for approximately 45 minutes, or until firm to the touch. Cool for about 10 minutes in the tin, then turn out and allow to cool. Split into 2 layers.

4) Whip the whipping cream until soft peaks is reached. I normally add the caster sugar and cocoa powder in between the process when the cream looks slightly whipped. Add the walnuts after spreading the filling on one side of the cake. I normally spread both sides of the cake with filling and then sandwich the layers.

5) Spread the remainder of the filling (except walnuts) on the top and sides of the gateau. Decorate as own preference. Chill well before serving.

Recipe taken from "complete cooking" by Hamlyn.