Yotam Ottolenghi: Chocolate Ripple Fridge Cake Recipe

A no-bake dessert just in time for spring, this Antipodean favourite gets the Ottolenghi treatment in his new book Comfort.

As anyone who’s ever been to an Australian barbecue will know, chocolate ripple cake is a ubiquitous, no-bake dessert. In Australia, it’s made with shop-bought chocolate biscuits which are then sandwiched together with cream. The recipe is so simple that it’s printed on the back of the biscuit packet! On a recent family trip back to Melbourne, Helen’s kids were so taken by the cake that they begged her to make it back in London. Not being able to get hold of the right biscuits — Arnott’s Choc Ripple (though they are now available online) — Helen made them from scratch. They’re so quick and simple to bake that Helen now not only bakes them to make the cake but, also, makes extra biscuits to have around. No birthday party (or barbecue!) is complete without them.

Getting ahead: The biscuits can be made and baked up to 7 days in advance, kept in an airtight container. The cake needs to be made up to 6 hours before serving, to allow it to soften and meld together, but can be made up to 2 days in advance, left to sit and wait in the fridge.

Playing around: The strawberries work really well here but, as an alternative, just crumble over another cookie or a chocolate flake.

Comfort by Yotam Ottolenghi and Helen Goh, $70, published by Ebury Press.

More from Yotam Ottolenghi

Delicious ideas from the revolutionary British chef.

A Brilliant, Moreish Bolognaise From Ottolenghi’s Latest Tome. A delightful, deep and delicious take on a classic.

Blackberry and Star Anise Friand Recipe. These look splendid when iced – destined for top ranking on any tiered cake stand – but also work in the cookie tin for grabbing on a whim.

Yotam Ottolenghi & Noor Murad’s Coconut Broth Prawns With Fried Aromatics. Inspired by South East Asian flavours. this dish is all about building depth.

Turmeric Fried Eggs With Tamarind Dressing. With an eccentric wardrobe, these are as good to eat as they are to look at.

The Burger That Defined Yotam Ottolenghi. One of his most memorable meals was a burger an American fast food chain burger.

Side-Of-Greens With Crispy Garlic. It’s tasty enough on its own, but humble enough to not take away from the main event.