SPONGE CAKE FOR TIRAMISU RECIPES

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Grease an 8 or 9 inch round cake pan.
• In a medium bowl, whip together the eggs and castor sugar until fluffy. Fold in flour. Pour into the prepared pan.
• Bake for 20 minutes in the preheated oven, or until the top of the cake springs back when lightly pressed. Cool in the pan over a wire rack.

Steps:

• 1. To make a ganache, pour the cream into a pan and gently bring to a simmer over a medium heat.
  2. Add a pinch of sea salt, snap in the chocolate and stir until melted, thickened and smooth, then remove from the heat and leave to one side.
  3. Line a dish (20cm x 30cm) with the sponge fingers (or Genoese sponge, if you’ve made it), carefully pour over the hot sweetened coffee and drizzle over the Vin Santo or sweet sherry.
  4. Spread the chocolate ganache over the top in an even layer.
  5. In a food processor, blitz the ricotta, mascarpone, vanilla bean paste and honey until super-smooth. Spoon this creamy mixture evenly on top of your chocolate layer.
  6. Place in the fridge for at least 2 hours, to set. Serve with a good grating or shaving of chocolate and a fine grating of orange or clementine zest. Heaven.