Chocolate or cocoa as we know it did not arrive in Britain until the 16th century. And when it got here it was prohibitively expensive, well beyond the means of your average cook or baker. All the more reason to feel grateful towards Gladstone who in 1853 was responsible for lowering the tax on cocoa beans and finally making it possible for us all to indulge. What better way to do so than by making a cake.
In the next of our series of regional cakes, Julie Duff of Church Farmhouse Cakes and our reporter Anna McNamee, are slaving in a hot kitchen to make a very grown up version.Ìý
