5 Sept 2011

Flourless Chocolate Cake

This cake only needs 3 ingredients, which does not include flour!  I like this type of minimalist baking, using just the bare necessities.  My friend and I have birthdays 2 days apart, so I baked this cake to celebrate our joyeux anniversaire.  Nothing like a chocolate cake to ease the pain of ageing.     

Ingredients:
-450 grams of your favourite chocolate
-145 grams butter
-5 large eggs

Use 2 different sized pots
Instructions:
-Butter the cake pan, line with parchment paper and butter the parchment paper.
-You need 2 different sized pots.  Simmer water in the larger pot and and place the chocolate and butter in the smaller pot.  Place smaller pot in the simmering water of the larger pot and mix while everything is melting together.
Carefully fold the egg white into the chocolate
-Once everything is melted and well mixed, set aside to cool.
-Separate the egg whites from the yolk.  Using an electric mixer, whip the egg whites until stiff (looks like a fluffy cloud). 
-Mix the egg yolks and combine to the cooled chocolate mixture. 
Line baking pan with parchment paper.
Easier to take out the cake after baking.
-Add bit by bit the egg white mixture to the chocolate mixture.  Do not mix!  Fold the egg whites into the chocolate very delicately.  Try not to deflate the mixture.
-Once all of the egg white has disappeared into the chocolate mixture, place everything into the lined baking pan.
-Bake at 190 degrees C for 30 minutes.

Optional:
-Once the cake is cooled, place in the refrigerator and serve after a couple of hours.
-Sprinkle with icing sugar, decorate with strawberries or raspberries and top off with whipping cream.
-Serve with a side of vanilla ice cream.