-
1
Beat the mascarpone until slightly softened, then beat in the sugar.
-
2
Whip 300ml of the cream until it just holds its shape, then fold lightly into the mascarpone.
-
3
Toast the coconut or almonds in a dry frying pan until tinged brown, then cool.
-
4
Chop the chocolate and mix with the cooled almonds. Set aside 2 tbsp to use later on for decoration.
-
5
Mix together the coffee or hot chocolate with the alcohol.
-
6
Cut the cake into 15 slices.
-
7
Now, you can choose to make the cake either in a baking dish (easier perhaps if you need to travel with it or slice for serve-yourself-occasions like a potluck) or in a bowl, which will result in a dome shaped bombe.
-
8
If you are going for a baking dish, use a pan that is roughly 8 x 10 inches.
-
9
If you go for a pudding basin, it should be about 1.4 litre or 2-1/2 pint capacity and lined with cling film.
-
10
Either way, start by lining the base with a few pieces of cake.
-
11
When you've completed a layer, sprinkle over some of the coffee/alcohol mixture, then smooth a few spoonfuls of the mascarpone/whipping cream on top.
-
12
Add some of the chocolate and almond or coconut mixture and then repeat the layers.
-
13
Finish with a layer of cake, moistened with any remaining coffee mixture.
-
14
Cover the top of the desert and chill for at least 4 hours and up to 2 days.
-
15
Remove the cling film and, if you're using a bowl, invert it onto a serving plate.
-
16
Whip the remaining cream to soft peaks and spread over the top and sides of the bombe.
-
17
Scatter over the remaining chocolate/almond mixture.
-
18
You can freeze this after it's been layered for up to 3 months.
-
19
Defrost overnight and then continue with the rest of the steps.
