Chocolate-Ancho Chile Flourless Cake

892594's Note:

A rich chocolaty cake with a spicy kick! Similar consistency to cheese cake Also great if you add a bit of rum or chocolate liqueur to the whipped cream!

• Total Time: 1 hrs 30 mins
• Prep Time: 45 mins
• Cook Time: 45 mins

Ingredients:

Serves: 10-12

Yield: 1.0 Cake

• 1 cup unsalted butter , plus extra for pan
• 8 ounces bittersweet chocolate , chopped
• ¼ cup unsweetened cocoa powder , sifted, plus more for dusting
• 3 tablespoons dried ancho chile powder
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• 6 large eggs , separated
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 2 tablespoons confectioners' sugar
• 1 pinch ground cinnamon

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
2. Lightly butter the bottom and sides of a 9-inch springform pan. Line the bottom with parchment paper and butter the paper. Set aside.
3. In the top of a double boiler, melt the chocolate and butter over medium-low heat. Remove from the heat and whisk in the cocoa, chili powder, and salt.
4. In a bowl, whisk together the egg yolks with 1/2 cup of the sugar until thick and pale yellow in color. Fold the chocolate mixture into the yolks and mix well.
5. In another bowl, whisk the egg whites until thick. Whisking, add the remaining 1/2 cup sugar gradually and continue to beat to form a light meringue. In several additions, fold into the chocolate mixture, being careful not to deflate the meringue. Gently pour into the prepared pan and bake until the edges are set but the center is still moist and a few crumbs stick to a tester, about 45 minutes.
6. Remove from the oven and cool completely in the pan on a wire rack.
7. Run a thin, sharp knife around the edge of the cake. Remove the pan sides and gently lift away the cake. Invert onto a cake plate, remove the bottom and peel away the parchment.
8. In a bowl, beat the cream with an electric mixer until frothy. Add the confectioners' sugar and cinnamon and continue to beat until the cream holds soft peaks.
9. To serve, slice the cake with a portion of the sweetened whipped cream. Garnish with cocoa powder and serve.

Reviews

[Jill Johnston]

This cake is WONDERFUL! I have made it a couple of times and in both cases, my eating companions raved about it. If you want to serve it at the table, I suggest sprinkling it with some confectioners sugar as it's rather plain to look at. A few raspberries on the side are a nice addition too. I love that it's flourless too because I am celiac and must avoid wheat flour.