Rich-Almond Chocolate Cake

As promised from the previous post, here’s the recipe for my mom’s chocolate cake. It’s decadent, chocolate-y and nutty from the use of almond flour. Again, I had to make my own almond flour since the grocery stores I shop in don’t carry it. The other changes I’ve done was to add on the chocolate glaze that was left over from my brother’s cake and used Lindt’s Excellence 85% Cocoa Bar for the chocolate solids. What surprised me was the fact that it was easy to make.

Recipe and a lot of dumping

Rich-Almond Chocolate Cake

From La Maison du Chocolat: Transcendent Desserts by the Legendary Chocolatier

Serves 4-6
Preparation: 25 minutes
Cooking time: 25 minutes

2 1/2 ounces bittersweet chocolate
5 tablespoons unsalted butter
3/4 cup ground almonds
2 whole eggs plus 6 yolks
3/4 cup plus 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
1/3 cup cocoa powder
4 egg whites
Pinch of salt
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1. Preheat the oven to 350°. Grease and flour an 8-inch round cake pan. Melt the chocolate in the top of a double boiler set over low heat. Add the butter and stir then the mixture is thoroughly melted, add the ground almonds, pouring in a thin stream. Stir to blend. Remove from the heat and set aside.
2. Place the 2 whole eggs and 6 yolks in a mixing bowl with 3/4 cup of the sugar and the cocoa powder. Whisk until blended, then stir into the almond-chocolate mixture. Set aside.
3. Place the 4 egg whites in the  bowl of an electric mixer. Add the salt and beat until they hold stiff peaks. Add the remaining 1 tablespoon sugar and beat to combine. Gently fold the beaten whites into the chocolate mixture.
4. Transfer the batter to the  prepared pan and bake. Check after 25 minutes; the cake is finished when the tip of a knife inserted in the center come out clean. If not, continue baking until done.
5. Prepare a large plate with a clean dish towel on top. Remove the cake from the oven and unmold onto the towel-covered plate. Let cool before serving.

Tip: Dust the top of the cooled cake with unsweetened cocoa powder for a more sophisticated finish. (I drizzled on chocolate glaze, dust it with cocoa powder, then add some white chocolate shavings to amp up the chocolate factor.)

All pretty and await to be consumed…

Cross section of my slice