Step 1 of 7
Polish Chocolate & Walnut Cake
Heat oven to 170°C / 150°C fan / Gas 3½. Line a 30 × 22cm shallow baking tin with parchment. Sift the 150g flour with the cocoa and set aside.
Step 2
Beat the 8 egg whites to stiff peaks, then add the 200g sugar in small batches, whisking constantly. Add the egg yolks one by one, whisking. Gently fold in the flour-cocoa mixture.
Step 3
Pour into the lined tin and bake for 35 minutes. Cool for 5 minutes, remove from tin and re-line the tin with fresh parchment.
Step 4
Make the walnut meringue: whisk the 5 egg whites to stiff peaks, then gradually whisk in the second 200g sugar, 1 tbsp at a time. Fold in the chopped walnuts (reserving some for decoration), the 1 tbsp flour and potato starch. Spread into the re-lined tin and bake for 40 minutes at the same temperature. Cool.
Step 5
Make the chocolate ganache: heat the cream over low heat, then remove from heat. Pour in the chocolate chips and stir until melted and shiny.
Step 6
Cut both the sponge and meringue into two layers each. Assemble: bottom sponge layer, then a meringue layer with walnuts sprinkled on, then another meringue layer, then the top sponge layer. Cover the top with chocolate ganache. Decorate with reserved walnuts.
Step 7
Refrigerate for 1–2 hours before serving.