Chocolate Cheese Gateau With Strawberry Topping

Submitted by Chef mariajane

"This European-styled "gateau" is a stunning Holiday dessert! The rich chocolate cake has a mouth-watering filling made with mascarpone, whipping cream, lemon zest and cinnamon, and a delectable strawberry topping."

 

• Ready In: 22mins
• Ingredients: 14
• Serves: 10-12

ingredients

• CAKE BASE

• 2 ounces semisweet chocolate, melted
• 5 eggs, separated
• 2⁄3 cup granulated sugar
• 3 tablespoons cocoa, sifted
• 1 tablespoon vanilla

• TOPPING

• 1 (600 g) bag europe's best country strawberries, sliced, frozen
• 1⁄2 cup raspberry juice or 1/2 cup pomegranate juice
• 1⁄3 cup granulated sugar
• 1 1⁄2 tablespoons cornstarch
• 2 tablespoons water

• FILLING

• 1 cup whipping cream
• 1 cup mascarpone
• 1 teaspoon lemon zest, grated
• 1⁄2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

directions

1. FOR CAKE: In a bowl, beat egg yolks with 1/3 cup sugar until llight. Stir in melted chocolate, cocoa pwder and vanilla.
2. Beat egg whites until soft peaks firm. Gradually add remaining 1/3 cup sugar. Beat until firm. Stir 1/3 of egg whites into chocolate base. Fold in remaining egg whites.
3. Spoon into greased and parchment lined 9-inch springform pan. Bake in preheated 350F oven for 22-25 minutes. Cool in pan on wire rack (cake sinks in center). Run knife around cake. Remove ring, invert cake onto a plate, then invert again so top side of cake is up. Let cool.
4. FOR TOPPING: In a large saucepan, combine strawberries, juice and sugar. Bring to a low boil over medium heat. Cook until strawberries have just softened. In a small bowl, combine cornstarch and water. Stir into strawberries and stir gently until topping has just thickened, about 2 minutes. Transfer to a bowl. Refrigerate until set.
5. FOR THE FILLING: In a bowl, beat cream until firm peaks form. Add macarpone, lemon juice, and cinnamon. Beat until combined. Spoon filling into center of cake, spreading to edges and mounding in center, Cover and refrigerate from 1-5 hours.
6. MAKE AHEAD: The cake base can be wrapped and refrigerated one day ahead or wrapped well and frozen for one week,. The gateau (cake and filling assembled) can be covered and refrigerated for 6 hours or wrapped well and frozen for one week, Defrost in refrigerator.
7. TIPS: Strawberry Sauce can be prepared, covered and refrigerated for one day.