ITS origins can be traced back to the humble chip shop where deep-fried chocolate bars became a big seller.

But now a more upmarket form of the fat-soaked chocolate delight has been taken to a new culinary level and is gracing the dining rooms of one of the city’s top hotels.

It’s news that doesn’t exactly fit the Scottish Executive’s notion of a health-conscious nation but bosses at the three-star Ramada Jarvis Hotel in Murrayfield have revealed their fried chocolate sandwich has become a hit just weeks after going on the menu. And now they plan to serve it up at a second Capital hotel, the three-star Mount Royal Hotel on Princes Street, from May.

Even though its calorie-laden ingredients are laid bare on the menu, and its frying process explained, customers can’t seem to get enough.

But while hotel chiefs and customers wax lyrical about the recipe, health officials claim such foods mark a serious setback to Scotland’s healthy-living drive.

The fried chocolate dessert - cheekily named "naughty but slice" - is being prepared by chefs at the Edinburgh hotel, part of a chain of 11 across Scotland.

And since it was unveiled, the ￡4.95 stomach-filler has left fancy desserts such as caramelised apple and citrus sponge pudding in its wake, with sales outstripping all by a staggering 30 per cent. The dessert was created for the hotel chain’s stylish Arts restaurants, where the walls are covered with expensive artworks to give diners an "interesting culinary experience". And hotel chiefs say the decision to sell the new dessert reflects a similar ambition.

Filled with rich chocolate sauce, two white bread slices are dipped in a typical creamy batter before being deep-fried, smothered in sugar and served with a dollop of vanilla ice-cream.

Chefs estimate the dessert has already been served up to more than 8000 diners in the Arts restaurants of several of the chain’s hotels, and predict the sweet’s popularity will only rise.

Ramada’s food and beverage director Debbie Walter said the sweet was introduced at the right time of year to enhance its popularity. She declined to divulge the dessert’s calorific content, but defended the hotel chain’s decision to offer the gut-busting food.

However, experts predicted the dessert will provide a staggering 500 calories per portion - one quarter of a woman’s recommended daily intake of 2000 calories. Health experts have expressed grave concern about the highly popular chocolate pudding.


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