Chocolate Dream

Method

1 Break up the chocolate and put in a pan with the water.

2 Place over a very gentle heat to melt to a thick cream

3 While the chocolate is melting puree the prunes and Armagnac.

4 Remove the chocolate from the heat and cool slightly and then beat in the egg yolks one at a time.  Add the butter and beat in.

5 Add the brandy if using

6 Whip the egg whites stiffly and fold briskly into the chocolate mixture.

7 Put half the mixture into little ramekins, put some of the prune puree on top and cover with the rest of the chocolate.

8 Leave in the fridge overnight.

9 Before serving whip the cream to soft peaks and spread over the top of the ramekins.  Pipe a blob of the remaining prune puree onto each one.
The prune puree can be left out if there are children present – it is just as delicious without.