This week’s #SundaySupper is special. We’re featuring only Cristina Ferrare recipes. I was overwhelmed to receive a book signed by her.
As soon as it arrived, I bookmarked a dozen pages of what I must bake / cook. For today’s post, I had a tough choice to make between the luscious flourless chocolate cake and a divine carrot cake with cream cheese frosting. Obviously chocolate won. It’s rich and decadent – a chocolate lovers’ dream come true.
Be warned: it’s rich, don’t get alarmed by the amount of butter the recipe calls for. The process is simple. Follow the rules and make sure you grease and line the pan properly. Try not to over mix the egg whites into the chocolate mixture and lastly, wait to it to cool completely.
The recipe calls for 1/2 cup of espresso but only 1 tablespoon of it is used in the batter. I used the balance in the chocolate ganache since the recipe didn’t specify what to do with the rest. I availed of a slightly dome-shaped pan hence the shape looks different. In any case, I suggest using a 9″ pan. Whether it’s round or dome, doesn’t matter as long as there is enough room to rise.
I recommend you serve thin slices of this cake. You can serve it with a raspberry sauce or a couple of cherries or a scoop of ice cream. I used all of the ganache on the cake saving 1 tablespoon then dressed it simply with a heap of white chocolate shavings, drizzled the leftover ganache, threw on a couple of chocolate chips and sugar hearts to give it the finish it richly deserves.
Over to the recipe: Rich and dense, A gluten free dessert, filled with chocolate goodness – just the perfect weekend treat.
- ¾ cup (12 tablespoons) unsalted butter cut into pieces
- 4 * 11/2 tablespoons unsalted butter for greasing the pan
- 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
- 10 ounces bittersweet chocolate, finely chopped
- 5 large egg yolks, at room temperature.
- 3 egg whites
- ¼ cup + 2 tablespoons sugar
- 1 tablespoon instant espresso disolved in ½ cup hot water
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- Pinch of salt
- ½ cup (8 tablespoons) unsalted butter, cut into pieces
- 8 ounces bittersweet chocolate, chopped into small pieces
- 2 tablespoons light corn syrup
- Preheat the oven to 300F.
- Use the 11/2 tablespoons butter to grease the inside of an 8 or 9 inch round pan. Line the pan with parchment paper; grease the paper with with the other 11/2 tablespoons butter and dust with cocoa powder
- In the top of a double boiler over simmering water, combine the chocolate and ¾ cup of butter, and melt completely. Mix together well and set aside to cool, about 20 to 30 minutes.
- Using a mixture with a wire whisk on medium high, beat the egg yolks, ¼ cup sugar, 1 tablespoon of the coffee, the vanilla and salt for 3 minutes until the mixture is pale and thick. With the mixture on medium low slowly add the cooled chocolate mixture, beat until incorporated.
- In a clean bowl, beat egg whites using a wire whisk until foamy. Gradually add 2 tablespoons of sugar, beating until medium-firm peaks form. Gently fold half of the egg whites into the chocolate mixture. Fold in the remaining egg whites just until no streaks remain.
- Spread the batter in the pan. Bake for 40 minutes until the cake puffs up slightly and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out moist. Do not overbake. Cool on a rack for 30 minutes.
- Run a knife around the insides of the pan to loosen the cake and then invert onto a flat plate. Gently lift off the pan and peel off the paper. Cool at room temperature for 1 hour and refrigerate for 3 – 4 hours.
- Combine the butter and the chocolate in a double boiler over simmering water and melt, whisking until smooth. Whisk in the corn syrup until the glaze is smooth and shiny. Set the cake on a wire rack over a large baking sheet. Pour the warm glaze over the center of the cake. The glaze should cover the surface evenly spilling over the edges and down the sides, with all the excess falling onto the baking sheet.
- Refrigerate for 2 hours or until firm.
- Slice the cake into small pieces (its very rich), dipping your knife into hot water and wiping it dry before you cut each slice.
We have quite a spread for you this week. If you’re wondering what you’d like to cook for this evening then all you need to do is look at this menu and I’m sure inspiration will strike somewhere:
Tomato Mozzarella Tower with Shallot Bacon Dressing, Chicken Marsala with Angel Hair Pasta and melon Medley with Lemon Sorbet The Primlani Kitchen Roasted Beet Wild Arugula with Goat Cheese Salad Sue’s Nutrition Buzz Pesto Pasta Katherine Martinelli Spaghetti and Meatballs Juanita’s Cocina Sea Bass with Soy Glaze and Cucumber Salsa Beetles Kitchen Chicken Picatta Over Pasta Family Foodie Grilled Orange-Ginger Chicken Breasts Supper for a Steal Seafood Risotto Magnolia Days Fall Off The Bone Chicken Thighs Lovely Pantry Risotto with Fresh Peas and Asparagus Big Bears Wife Salad Dressing BG Garden Strawberry Shortcake German Foodie Double Chocolate Chip Cookies Mrs Mama Hen Cheesecake with Fresh Berries The Messy Baker Rice Pudding Rambling Notebook Strawberry Shortcake That Skinny Chick Can Bake Flourless Chocolate Cake Baker Street Brownies Rich and Chocolaty Daily Dish RecipesHappy Baking!
oooh ! This is fab !! So festive looking ! Thanks for letting me link it to my GF page. All your recipes are great ! Wish I could bake like you :)
I love flourless chocolate cake – so rich and moist and yummy.
YES :) Comfort food for the win :) Never tried baking a flourless cake before, not to mention flourless CHOCOLATE cake :) Thanks heaps for the recipe!
Simply stunning, An!!! This will be my next recipe to try…YUM!
Very pretty and yummy looking cake!
Wow! This cake would really satisfy a chocolate craving. I saw it in the book and flagged the page. With your notes I know I could make it with great success. Thanks for making it for #SundaySupper
Just gorgeous!! What a great pick for #SundaySupper, and a wonderful gluten free dessert to have up your sleeve. Pinned and I will definitely try, thanks!
Wow this looks great! I’ll take mine with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
What a lovely recipe! I would have had a a hard time choosing two between chocolate and carrot cake!
An, this cake is stunning. You take the most beautiful photos. Chocolate always wins, doesn’t it? At least in my world it does. Enjoy your #SundaySupper.
Thats gonna be one helluva rich sunday supper dessert!!! splendid!!! :)
Simply gorgeous, A. This looks SO divine! And it’s okay if it’s a bit rich…because it’s worth it in the end. :D
Wow! What a gorgeous chocolate creation, and I love that it’s naturally gluten-free! I think I am getting my chocolate fix just looking at it. Happy Sunday Supper :-)
Mmm flourless chocolate cake, yes please! For me, richer is always better, so this is right up my alley. I love the pretty decor as well!
Beautiful, I love your shavings on top – so festive!
I love your take on it – so pretty!
Oh my Gosh! Your cake looks so beautiful that it looks fake!!! Just gorgeous!
You are such a wonderful baker! I will keep this recipe in mind/bookmarked for anybody w/ gluten intolerance I have to bake for. We do know a handful of people who would totally enjoy this. LOVE what you did w/ the marbled chocolate around the rim…!!
Its party time!! such a fancy looking cake. A perfect party starter….
Absolutely gorgeous! WOW! I want one for my Birthday!
This cake looks like a dream come true my friend – a fabulous pick without a doubt :D
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
I’ve never tried a flourless chocolate cake before because I always think of them as being dry. However, this is a lovely-looking cake and very tempting!
Stunning pictures! That cake is sooo tempting, I’m dying for a slice! I keep staring at your bottom pic, your cake seriously looks gorgeous!
That is such a lovely looking cake! I love how you decorate it:)
This looks great! Beautifully decorated. A sure treat!!!
What a beautiful cake! I’d gladly eat the entire cake for you! :)
What a stunning cake! I love how you’ve decorated it! :D
that s a lovely cake and the decoration s simply splendid
I have this cookbook and it’s so fun to see these recipes come to life. I love chocolate cake and flourless makes it extra yummy! How did you get a signed copy of the book… that’s so cool! :)
I’m OBSESSED with flourless chocolate cakes. I love rich so….mmmm
What a stunning cake!! You are crazy talented, my friend!
NAUGHTY! And perfectly delicious. Nice call, going with the chocolate :)
Absolutely lovely cake for me. Thanks for sharing.
look amazing, I love it!!
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Anuradha … You have been nominated for my NEW Food Stories Award for Excellence in Storytelling. Check out my site for the details (foodstoriesblog dot com).
Woot! Thanks CJ! :)
Gorgeous cake! And it’s so fantastic that it’s flourless!
Oh my gosh! This is insane looking! Holy yum! So glad you went with chocolate so that I could just sit here and drool over it!! Gorgeous!
oh my gosh that is beautiful!!
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OMG…this is perfect for me. I’m a chocolate lover…!!!
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Oh wow this looks amazing. I could totally go for a big slice of this cake right now.
This does look elegant and delicious. No doubt it tastes heavenly, so I am glad you shared this recipe.. You really did am amazing job-bravo!
YUM!!!! Flourless chocolate cake is my favorite cake and this recipe looks DElicious!
Delicious and beautiful chocolate cake. My husband always prefers flourless chocolate cake. I need a scoop of vanilla ice cream to go with rich chocolate cake. YUM~~~!
WOW! This looks awesome!
Wow, this ain’t a cake but a work of art! Stunning! :)
That is not just a menu it is a feast. This cake looks fabulously delicious and so pretty with the coconut!
Thanks Emily! The topping I used was white chocolate. Although coconut sounds like a wicked idea too. :)
This cake looks rich and so sinful! Served warm with a dollop of vanilla ice cream would be perfect for me.
The book is a must have and so is this gorgeous cake!
I have “Big Bowl of Love” and have featured several of Cristina’s recipes on my site – but not this fabulous cake! I’ll leave the baking to you :) Gorgeous!
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Mmmmmm…that looks so good! Wonderful #SundaySupper post! Why am I hungry for cake now? :D
I am so glad that someone invented these gluten free treats. There is nothing better than a slice of chocolate goodness like this!
For some reason, I always feel less guilty eating flourless cakes like this given that there is no flour and less sugar, LOL! This cake looks so perfectly rich and delicious!
This looks like one fancy cake! It also looks delicious, wonderful!
The pics are stunning!! I have heard so much of this book, thank you for sharing!
Rich but than again gluten free so what not a small slice for me. Something different I discovered making a dessert without flour. Lovely outcome as I can see from the pics.
Hi
I saw this post from over Germanfoodie.com. “Flourless” is what caught my attention because I’ve never heard of baking cake without flour. I was reading through the recipe and was wondering what is used as the substitute for the flour?
cleona.
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