Ingredients

How to make it

  • Preheat oven to 225F,110C and butter two large baking trays, cover with baking parchment and draw a 23 cm round on one of them.
  • Meringue base:
  • Sift together the icing sugar and the cocoa powder. Beat the egg whites with a whisk or electric mixer until soft peaks form. Gradually beat in the caster sugar and then continue beating until stiff peaks form and the meringue is glossy and smooth. Fold in the icing sugar, cocoa and vanilla with a metal spoon.
  • Fit a piping bag with the large plain tube and fill with the meringue. Pipe the meringue over the prepared round on the baking tray, starting in the centre and working outwards in a spiral.
  • Fit another piping bag with the Medium plain tube and fill with the remaining meringue. Pipe long thin scrips on the second baking sheet, leaving about 2.5 cm (1 inch) in between each. Bake for at least 2 hours, until the meringue is crisp and thoroughly dry. Cool and carefully peel off the paper.
  • Chocolate mousse:
  • Bring 5-7.5 cm (2-3 inches) of water to simmering point in a saucepan. Combine the chocolate, butter and 45 ml (3 tbsp) of the sugar in a heatproof bowl and set it over the simmering water Leave to stand, without stirring, until the chocolate has completely melted.
  • Remove from the heat and stir in the egg yolks with a spoon. Beat the egg whites with a whisk or electric mixer until stiff peaks form. Gradually beat in the remaining sugar and continue beating until stiff peaks form and the meringue is glossy and smooth. Whisk about one-third of the egg whites into the chocolate mixture. Gently fold this into the remaining egg whites with a metal spoon.
  • Assembling:
  • Spread the moussse over the meringue round with a spatula . Carefully cut the meringue strips into 2.5 cm (1 inch) lengths with a serrated knife and use them to decorate the top and sides of the cake. Sift icing sugar over the top. Cover and refrigerate for 2 hours before serving.
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make short logs   Close
make mousse 1   Close
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combined   Close
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spread over disck   Close
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decorate mousse   Close
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Reviews & Comments 23

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  • krystynainsydney 13 years ago
    I made this cake ONCE ONLY for a beloved girlfriend's birthday of forty years friendship.There was a lot of work in that there were lots of steps My ONLY disappointment was that my Meringue STRIPS were not as good as I'd have liked But I was comparing them to a professional bake shop if I were to make it again they would be better This cake even though TIME CONSUMING for me TASTED SUPERB..VERY MORISH & I would recommend you make this if ONLY ONCE
    Was this review helpful? Yes Flag
    " It was excellent "
    leebear ate it and said...
    ANOTHER MASTERPIECE!!!!!I ADMIRE YOUR PASSION FOR PASTRIES!IT SHOWS IN EVERY RECIPE!!!KEEP THEM COMING!!!!!
    BIG HIGH FIVE!!!!!!
    CAROL
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    " It was excellent "
    lunasea ate it and said...
    Wow - how gorgeous! I love it. Thank you so much....
    Was this review helpful? Yes Flag
    " It was excellent "
    liezel ate it and said...
    This is a wonderful and unique post! (like always) Great for a special occation. Thanks Ahmed
    Was this review helpful? Yes Flag
    " It was excellent "
    trigger ate it and said...
    Yes ! This cake is exactly what I wanted to make for a special birthday how could anyone fail with all of those wonderful step by step photos.
    Michael
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    " It was excellent "
    vivian ate it and said...
    OMG! This is delectable!

    Its getting tighter.......:-)
    Was this review helpful? Yes Flag
    " It was excellent "
    pat2me ate it and said...
    I second everything everyone else wrote!

    You should not only have your own bakery, but your own line of books and a show all of us could watch and learn from.......you are a truly talented individual! I am so happy you are part of this site and so generous with your recipes.
    Was this review helpful? Yes Flag
    " It was excellent "
    chriesi ate it and said...
    Oh wow that is more than amazing! WoW!
    Was this review helpful? Yes Flag
    " It was excellent "
    mumtazcatering ate it and said...
    Wow!! Ahmed you go guy..........you a * STAR * in a million......another awesome recipe......when you become famous,with your own baking channel dont forget us .....:}you will get there,my friend have faith,i do
    have a great baking day!!!
    Mumtaz
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    " It was excellent "
    iffyo ate it and said...
    this is a true stunner,you seem to have,made a mind,to make everybody swoon, here!:D lol!
    very beautiful,I tagged it too!
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  • michellem 15 years ago
    I love this cake..You are definitely the CAKE KING!! Thank you for sharing. I am curious about the surface too..is that chocolate?
    You rock, Michelle
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    " It was excellent "
    magali777 ate it and said...
    I´m curious about the surface where you put the cake for the picture, it has bubbles?, intresting too.
    Was this review helpful? Yes Flag
    " It was excellent "
    magali777 ate it and said...
    Not only this cake is beautiful, it requieres great skills, congrats, Ahmed, great effort, great succes, got 5 of my fives!
    Magali
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    " It was excellent "
    tippystclair ate it and said...
    Excellent!
    Was this review helpful? Yes Flag
    " It was excellent "
    jett2whit ate it and said...
    wow! This looks fantastic!
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  • ambauer 15 years ago
    Very nice. Quite involved! Beautiful again Ahmed.
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    " It was excellent "
    annieamie ate it and said...
    Hi Ahmed! In Los Angeles, we have a famous bakery that makes this cake. They call it a "Windmill" cake. I've always wanted to make one. Now I can with your recipe which I am grateful to read about today. It all looks delicious. Thank you again for another fabulous recipe!
    Was this review helpful? Yes Flag
    " It was excellent "
    peetabear ate it and said...
    another winner my friend... the chocolate logs are a innovative addition...that's what always sets your dessert apart from all the others....your great dessert plus your creativity
    Was this review helpful? Yes Flag
    " It was excellent "
    pink ate it and said...
    *wink*
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  • krumkake 15 years ago
    What a creation! The "logs" are an absolutely fantastic idea - crunch AND decoration... perfect. Love this, Ahmed - great "photo history"!
    Was this review helpful? Yes Flag

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