Fairmont Empress Hotel Chocolate Italiano Cake

J. Ko's Note:

The recipe for this sinfully decadent cake was graciously given to me by Chef Takashi Ito, Executive Chef of The Fairmont Empress Hotel in Victoria, BC, Canada. I went on a hunt for my friend, Chef # 777765, affectionately known as "Seven" in the Kid's Cooking Forum. The story, as I understand it, is that Seven and her husband visited the Empress more than 10 years ago and ate at Kipling's Restaurant in the Hotel. Seven is not a sweet eater, but she tried this dessert anyway, and has been dreaming of it ever since. Kipling's Restaurant has since been closed and re-opened under a new name. Seven mentioned the Chocolate Italiano Cake in one of the forums and I decided to try to get my hands on the recipe for her.

• Total Time: 50 mins
• Prep Time: 15 mins
• Cook Time: 35 mins

Ingredients:

Servings: 16

• 1 ¼ lbs dark chocolate chips (the best quality you can afford)
• 1 lb butter , melted
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 cup strong coffee
• 7 eggs

Directions:

1. Melt dark chocolate; add melted butter.
2. Add sugar into hot coffee and add to chocolate and butter.
3. Slowly add eggs while scraping the bowl.
4. Line a 8" or 10" spring form pan with aluminum foil.
5. Pour mixture into prepared pan.
6. Bake at 350º F for 35 minutes.
7. Cool completely before removing from pan.
8. It’s quite a heavy chocolate cake so I would garnish with a light fruit like pears, strawberries or perhaps a raspberry coulis. Whipped cream or creme Anglaise will go nicely, as well.
9. Note: I have never made this, so I do not know how easily it will slice. I think using a hot knife would be a good idea.

Reviews

[BumblingB's]

I can't rate this, I haven't made it yet. It's going to be for the holidays. I've eaten it, though, and could melt at the thought. Thank you,thank you JKo. I can rate this now. Thank you again, JKo. You're a pal!