Flourless Chocolate Cake

Submitted by CookGordon

"From the Fine Cooking Website Note: The Preparation time includes baking the cake for 45 min, cooling on rack for 30 min, cooling in refrigerater for 30 min and another 30 min to sit at room temperature before slicing/serving."

 

• Ready In: 3hrs
• Ingredients: 9
• Serves: 12

ingredients

• For the cake

• 12 ounces bittersweet chocolate, coarsely chopped (2-1/4 cups)
• 6 ounces unsalted butter, cut into six pieces, more for the pan (3/4 cup plus pan)
• 5 large eggs
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 1⁄2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
• 1⁄4 teaspoon table salt
• 1⁄4 cup natural unsweetened cocoa powder, sifted if lumpy, more for the pan

• For the glaze

• 3⁄4 cup bittersweet chocolate, coarsely chopped (4 oz. )
• 3 tablespoons unsalted butter

directions

1. Make the cake:

2. Position a rack in the middle of the oven and heat the oven to 300°F Lightly butter the bottom of a 9x2-inch round cake pan and line it with a round of parchment. Lightly butter the parchment and the sides of the pan and dust with cocoa powder. Tap out any excess.
3. Melt the chocolate and butter in the microwave or in a medium metal bowl set in a skillet of barely simmering water, stirring with a rubber spatula until smooth. Remove the bowl from the water bath and set aside to cool slightly. In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, combine the eggs, sugar, vanilla, salt, and 2 Tbs. water. Beat on medium-high speed until the mixture is very foamy, pale in color, and doubled in volume, 2 minute Reduce the mixer speed to low and gradually pour in the chocolate mixture. Increase the speed to medium high and continue beating until well blended, about 30 seconds. Add the cocoa powder and mix on medium low just until blended, about 30 seconds.
4. Pour the batter into the prepared pan. Bake until a pick inserted in the center comes out looking wet with small gooey clumps, 40 to 45 minute Don’t overcook. Let cool in the pan on a rack for 30 minute If necessary, gently push the edges down with your fingertips until the layer is even. Run a small knife around the edge of the pan to loosen the cake. Cover the cake pan with a wire rack and invert. Remove the pan and parchment and let the cake cool completely. The cake may look cinched in around its sides, which is fine. Transfer to a cake plate. Cover and refrigerate the cake until it’s very cold, at least 6 hours or overnight.

5. Glaze the cake:

6. Melt the chocolate and butter in the microwave or in a medium metal bowl set in a skillet of barely simmering water, stirring with a rubber spatula until smooth. Pour the warm glaze over the chilled cake and, using an offset spatula, spread the glaze evenly to within 1/4 inch of the edge. Refrigerate the cake until the glaze is set, 20 to 40 minute Before serving, remove the cake from the refrigerator and let it come to room temperature, 20 to 30 minute To serve, cut the cake into small, if not tiny, slices using a hot knife.
7. Tip: To slice this cake (or any dense, sticky cake), heat the knife first, either by dipping it in a tall container of very hot water or by holding it under hot running water for a few seconds. Then wipe it dry before cutting the cake. The knife will cool quickly, and the cake will start sticking, so expect to rinse and repeat several times. A crème brûlée torch, if you have one, is also handy for heating up a knife.