When afternoon tea time rolled around at the palace, there was only one cake on the mind of Queen Elizabeth II – chocolate biscuit cake!
As we mourn the passing of our longest-serving sovereign, it’s also time to reflect on all that she meant to the United Kingdom, Commonwealth and entire world. Well-known for her traditional rituals such as high tea at 5.30pm daily followed by a tipple like G&T or champers, this cake was likely to make an appearance on more than one occasion.
Chef Darren McGrady was personal Chef to Queen Elizabeth II, Diana Princess of Wales and Princes William and Harry for 15 years, as well as cooking for Presidents Ford, Reagan, Bush, Clinton and Bush.
He is now a Chef, author, culinary consultant, event planner and public speaker living in Dallas, Texas.
His first cookbook titled ‘Eating Royally: Recipes and Remembrances from a Palace Kitchen’ has been reprinted several times, with all of his advances and royalties donated to the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric Aids Foundation.
Darren says this chocolate biscuit cake recipe was Her Royal Majesty the Queen’s favourite afternoon tea cake by far; it was probably the only one that was sent to the royal dining room again and again until was all gone.
"If there was anything left when she had it at Buckingham Palace, then it would go to Windsor Castle so she could finish it there. I used to travel on the train from London to Windsor Castle with the biscuit cake in a tin on my knee – it was half eaten,” he recalls.
There is another member of the Royal Family who is also a fan of this cake.
"This cake was also Prince William’s groom’s cake at his wedding. The reason he chose it is that he used to go to tea with the Queen and he got a taste for it. That is why he started liking it.”
A rich dark chocolate cake, it has a lovely crunchy texture thanks to the addition of classic English cookies, called rich tea biscuits; while a layer of decadent chocolate frosting is the perfect finishing touch.
Enjoy a slice with your favourite cuppa in honour of our favourite Queen!
