Dessert Recipes - Zuppa Inglese Recipe

Ingredients

• 100 g/4 oz/1/2 cup caster (superfine) sugar

• 100 g/4 o/1/2 cup soft tub margarine

• 100 g/4 oz/1 cup self-raising flour

• 5 ml/1 tsp baking powder

• 2 eggs

• Oil, for greasing

• 900 ml/3 1/4 cups milk

• 2.5 ml/1/2 tsp vanilla essence (extract)

• 5 cm/2 in piece of cinnamon stick

• 60 ml/4 tbsp granulated sugar

• 15 ml/1 tbsp corn flour (cornstarch)

• 8 egg yolks

• 90 ml/6 tbsp brandy

• 60 ml/4 tbsp kirsch

• Thinly pared rind and juice of 1 small orange

• 60 ml/4 tbsp finely grated chocolate

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Method:

1. Put the sugar, margarine, flour, baking powder and whole eggs in a bowl and beat until smooth (or use a food  processor).

2. Divide between two 18 cm/7 in oiled sandwich tins (pans) and level the surfaces.

3. Bake in a preheated oven at 190°C/375°F/gas mark 5 for 20 minutes until risen, golden and the centers spring back when lightly pressed. Turn out on to a wire rack to cool.

4. Meanwhile, put the milk, vanilla and cinnamon stick in a saucepan and bring just to the boil.

5. Blend together the granulated sugar and corn flour in a howl and whisk in the egg yolks. Gradually whisk in the hot milk.

6. Place the bowl over a pan of hot water and cook, stirring, until thick and smooth. Remove from the heat and leave to cool. Discard the cinnamon stick.