Bittersweet Chocolate Cloud Cake
- 1 1/3 cups sugar, divided
- 3/4 cup freshly brewed coffee
- 7 ounces bittersweet chocolate (62 percent) finely chopped
- 2/3 cup Dutch-processed cocoa powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon brandy
- 3 large eggs, separated plus 3 egg whites
- 1/3 cup cake flour
- 1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar
- Chocolate Glaze, recipe follows
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F and position rack in the center.
- Pour 1/2 -inch water into a large roasting pan and place in oven.
- Butter the bottom and sides of a 9-inch springform pan.
- Line the bottom of the pan with a round of parchment paper, cut to fit.
- Butter the paper.
- Wrap the outside of the pan tightly with a large piece of heavy-duty aluminum foil.
- Put 1 cup of sugar and the coffee in a medium saucepan over a high heat.
- Bring to boil, stirring occasionally to dissolve sugar.
- Remove from the heat add the chocolate and return to low heat.
- Keep stirring over heat until the chocolate is completely melted and the mixture is smooth.
- Remove from the heat and whisk in the cocoa powder and salt until smooth.
- Add brandy.
- Whisk in the egg yolks until no trace of yolk is left.
- Transfer the mixture to a large bowl and set aside to cool for 10 minutes.
- Whisk the flour into the chocolate mixture.
- In the bowl of an electric mixer, beat the 6 egg whites with the cream of tartar on medium speed until soft peaks form.
- Gradually add the remaining 1/3 cup sugar and beat on high until peaks are almost stiff.
- Stir about 1/4 of the egg whites into chocolate mixture (no need to fold at this point).
- Then gently fold in the remaining whites, 1/3 at a time, until no streaks of white remain.
- Pour into pan and smooth top.
- Bake in water bath for 35 minutes, until a toothpick inserted into center of cake comes out with a few moist crumbs clinging to it.
- Place cake on wire rack and let cool to room temperature.
- Remove sides of pan and carefully invert cake onto cardboard cake round or flat plate.
- Chill for at least 2 hours before glazing.
- Remove the cake from the refrigerator and place it on a wire rack set over a baking sheet.
- Pour the chocolate glaze over the cake, covering it completely; spread evenly with a metal spatula.
- Serve the cake immediately or refrigerate.
- Bring the cake to room temperature before serving.
- Chocolate glaze:
- 6 ounces bittersweet chocolate, finely chopped
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 2 tablespoons honey
- Put chocolate in a medium bowl.
- In a small saucepan, bring the heavy cream to a gentle boil.
- Whisk in the honey.
- Pour the hot cream mixture over the chocolate and let the mixture stand for 30 seconds to melt the chocolate.
- Whisk the mixture until smooth.
- Cover the surface of the glaze with plastic wrap and set aside at room temperature for 30 minutes, or until slightly thickened.
- Yield: 6 to 8 servings
sugar, freshly brewed coffee, bittersweet chocolate, dutch, salt, brandy, eggs, cake flour, cream of tartar, chocolate glaze
Taken from www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/bittersweet-chocolate-cloud-cake-recipe.html (may not work)