Torta al cioccolato e vino rosso (Chocolate and red wine cake)

Chocolate and red wine go well together, so what better way to combine them than in a cake? This cake is light, moist and simple to prepare. For a special occasion, coat with a chocolate sauce and decorate with chocolate curls and a sprig of flowering rosemary.

Unbalanced

% Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet

Step 1

Preheat the oven to 180°C/350°F/ Gas Mark 4 and lightly grease a loose- bottomed 20cm/8in cake tin.

Step 2

Cream the butter and sugar together in a bowl, until light and fluffy.

Step 3

Gradually beat in the eggs.

Step 4

Then sift in the cocoa, flour, baking powder and, cinnamon if using, and fold in.

Step 5

Mix in the red wine and vanilla, then fold in the chocolate.

Step 6

Pour the mixture into the prepared cake tin and bake for 1 hour, until a skewer inserted in the centre comes out clean.

Step 7

Remove from the oven and allow to cool in the tin, then carefully turn out.

Step 8

Coat with chocolate sauce (see below) and chocolate curls, if desired.