Middle Eastern · serves 2

Chocolate and Tahini Mousse Cake

Tahini whipped with orange juice into a mousse. Sesame and chocolate belong together.

60 min A proper cook Vegetarian

Ingredients

  • 225g plain flour
  • 225g sugar
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 25g cocoa powder
  • 1 tsp vanilla essence
  • 90ml sunflower oil
  • 240ml cold orange juice
  • Zest of 1 orange
  • Mousse: juice of 3 oranges topped to 240ml with water, 200g tahini, zest of 1 orange, 400g dark chocolate

Method

  1. Sift flour, sugar, soda, salt and cocoa into a bowl and make two wells — vanilla in one, oil in the other.
  2. Pour in the orange juice with the zest and mix with a fork until blended. Do not beat it.
  3. Greased and floured 23cm springform tin. 180°C for 30 minutes.
  4. Cool, then slice the top third off. Crumble that into a bowl and keep it.
  5. Cream the tahini into the orange liquid and leave it 2 hours, then whisk until light and creamy. It thickens as it stands.
  6. Zest in, then fold through cooled melted chocolate.
  7. Set a third of the mousse aside. Mix the cake crumbs into the rest and spread over the base cake, inside the springform ring.
  8. Reserved mousse smoothed over the top. Two hours in the fridge, then release the ring.

Questions people ask about Chocolate and Tahini Mousse Cake

How long does Chocolate and Tahini Mousse Cake take?

About 60 minutes from starting to sitting down, and it is a proper cook. A good part of that is unattended, so you can get on with something else once it is going.

What is the one thing to get right in Chocolate and Tahini Mousse Cake?

Pour in the orange juice with the zest and mix with a fork until blended. Do not beat it.

What can I use instead of maida in Chocolate and Tahini Mousse Cake?

Use plain atta for a denser, nuttier result, or a 50/50 mix if you want to keep some lift.

Can I make Chocolate and Tahini Mousse Cake ahead of time?

You can prepare it a few hours ahead and reheat gently. It keeps two days in the fridge, though it is best on the day.

Is Chocolate and Tahini Mousse Cake vegetarian?

Yes, and as written it is vegan too. Check your specific brands if that matters to you.

Do I need an oven for Chocolate and Tahini Mousse Cake?

Yes, this one needs an oven. If you do not have one, look at the no-oven filter on the baking page: eleven of the bakes here are built for a cooker, a pan or the fridge.

What do you serve with Chocolate and Tahini Mousse Cake?

Flatbread, and a sharp salad to cut the richness. Baking is chemistry, so scale it by weight rather than by eye: double every quantity, use a tin with roughly double the area, and expect to add ten minutes or so. Judge it by the skewer, not the clock.

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