Behind the camouflage is this month’s Daring Bakers Challenge – flourless chocolate cake. I needed to put a batch of fondant to some use (I made the fondant earlier for another project that was cancelled). So, I turned the cake into a box full of chocolate. First, I spread the cake with a thin layer of strawberry jam, covered it with sour cream ganache, and then decorated with the fondant. By all means, don’t get me wrong – I’ve never believed that the fondant is a tasty addition. It’s always been considered as a pretty and quite effective storing container (way more air-tight than a cake dome). The fondant was peeled off later and never eaten.
As for the cake, it was good; not great, not the best one I’ve had, but definitely – pretty good. I think, the cake would benefit from more delicate water-bath baking.
The optional part of this challenge was an ice cream to accompany the cake. And I did make a frozen dessert (not exactly the ice cream) to go with the cake. It was roasted strawberry and thyme sherbet. But I have to apologize here, since I’m not posting this recipe now. I’ll do it within a couple of days.
This challenge was hosted by Wendy at wmpesblog and Dharm at Dad – Baker and Chef and the recipe used is an adaptation of Chef Wan’s.
Makes one 8-inch cake, about 16 servings.
For the cake:
- 12 oz semisweet chocolate, roughly chopped
- 1 stick (113 g) unsalted butter
- 4 large room-temperature eggs, separated
Make the cake:
Center an oven rack and preheat the oven to 375F. Generously butter an 8-inch round springform pan with tall sides (2 ½ – 3-inch deep). Line the bottom of the pan with a circle of parchment paper. Dust with flour, knocking out the excess. Butter the parchment. Set aside.
Place the chocolate and butter in a large heatproof bowl. Bring 1 inch of water to a simmer in a wide skillet. Turn the burner, then set the bowl of chocolate in the hot water. Stir constantly until the chocolate and butter are melted and the mixture is smooth.
In a large, grease-free bowl whip the egg whites until stiff peaks form. But don’t overwhip or the cake will be dry.
With the same beaters beat the egg yolks together. Whisk the yolks into the chocolate mixture. Delicately fold 1/3 of the whipped egg whites into the chocolate mixture, then fold in the rest of the whites.
Pour the batter into the prepared springform pan. Smooth the top. Place the pan onto a cookie sheet or large baking pan and slide into the oven. Bake the cake for 20 minutes or until an instant read thermometer reads 140F. At this point the cake will appear quite loose, only about 1-inch border near the side of the pan will look set. Remove the cake from the oven and cool on a rack before unmolding.
The cake can be made a week in advance and kept, covered, in the refrigerator.
Serve at room temperature.
March 1, 2009 at 5:59 pm
Thank you very much for such wonderful comments! I am deeply touched! Thank you all!
March 1, 2009 at 4:15 pm
oooooo i love this! I also agree with you that the cake could technically benefit more from a water bath baking ^_^ Love you sugar crafts lately!
March 1, 2009 at 2:09 pm
Wow so creative and visually stunning!!!
March 1, 2009 at 11:51 am
Very pretty! Much prettier than the actual chocolate cake ;)
I’m curious about the sorbet, I can imagine that strawberries and thyme is a delicious combination.
March 1, 2009 at 11:05 am
This is the prettiest chocolate container I’ve ever seen :).
March 1, 2009 at 10:44 am
That’s beautiful! What an awesome surprise in what looks like a normal box of chocolates.
March 1, 2009 at 10:36 am
vera, you’re able to continually impress and amaze me. this is amazing, and it serves to make me look forward to what you’ll make next!
March 1, 2009 at 9:44 am
Wow. Now that’s impressive. GORGEOUS!!
March 1, 2009 at 8:14 am
As I showed my husband your post he said, “That’s insanely talented.” I have to agree! Wow! Wow! Wow! What else is there to say?! Natalia is correct…you have left us speechless!
March 1, 2009 at 7:36 am
your work of art left us all speechless !!!
March 1, 2009 at 7:26 am
ouch
I’m stunned
I can’t believe my eyes
what a job !
March 1, 2009 at 6:48 am
WOW! That’s just gorgeous! Too pretty to eat almost! Very elegant!
March 1, 2009 at 6:28 am
Well, now… there’s a box of chocolates I’d dive into in a heartbeat! This is a beauty.
I like how you talk about the things you learn from your projects.
Glad you enjoyed my last comment. ;-)
Kate
March 1, 2009 at 6:27 am
The box is too beautiful and so perfect! You’re so talented :)
March 1, 2009 at 5:33 am
AMAZING! your talent and creativity always blows me away!
March 1, 2009 at 5:27 am
WOW Vera! Everything is just perfect! I wish I could decorate with fondant like you :)
March 1, 2009 at 5:25 am
Wow, so beautiful
March 1, 2009 at 4:56 am
beautiful vera!
March 1, 2009 at 4:53 am
Those photos should be in a magazine! Beautiful!
March 1, 2009 at 4:47 am
this is not cake this is a piece of art! looks incredible!
March 1, 2009 at 4:41 am
Your presentation is spectacular. I’ve had limited success working with fondant and I agree that it isn’t worth eating. That said, what a work of art. I prefer my flourless cake with ground nuts as opposed to the egg whites. Vive la difference.
March 1, 2009 at 4:40 am
yummy, delcious! And great pics :)!!
March 1, 2009 at 4:36 am
OMG!! what a gorgeous box. amazing work Vera. You never stop to amaze me. Very creative take on the challenge. LOVE it!
Mine is still in the oven now. I’m running very behind =(
March 1, 2009 at 4:20 am
Wow! Beautiful.
March 1, 2009 at 4:12 am
splendide ! un vrai travail de professionnel ! c’est d’un raffinement ! magnifique :)
March 1, 2009 at 4:12 am
I can’t beleive that s a cake its so perfect and nice it really looks like a box of chocolates. I love it. the cake looks delicious too.
March 1, 2009 at 3:52 am
SUch great presentation! Love the box!!
March 1, 2009 at 3:41 am
i’m in love with everything you did for the challenge! kudos!
March 1, 2009 at 2:21 am
WOW!!! that is beautiful! really really stunning!! well done!!
March 1, 2009 at 2:12 am
I’m completely blown away – you take things to levels that are mind blowing. Perfect fondant, perfect photos, perfect everything ..PHENOMENAL job!
March 1, 2009 at 2:01 am
Absolutely stunning! You are an artist! What a glorious interpretation!
Cheers,
Rosa
March 1, 2009 at 1:50 am
Is this a dream Vera? Are you for real? FABULOUS…i wouldn’t even touch it. Would preserve it for ever & look at it’s ethereal beauty! Thank you for the eye-candy! (Don’t wake me up yet!)
March 1, 2009 at 12:21 am
This is incredible ! I almost fell from my chair when I saw this ! You are really amazing !
March 1, 2009 at 12:18 am
Wow! Simply stunning! I love the cake box.
March 1, 2009 at 12:04 am
Amazing fondant work. I’m so envious of your skill.
Great photos too!
February 28, 2009 at 10:53 pm
Wow, Vera, I see what you mean when I scrolled down to the second last photo, and that’s so amazing!! So much work, skill and patience needed it’s just mind-blowing! Beautiful work!!
February 28, 2009 at 10:29 pm
What a great way to present the cake. I will follow your advice about the water bath and see how it goes. You and I had the same idea the cake as a box of chocolates though my execution is very different to yours. Yours photos are of the highest quality, and your results are extremely good. Great work on this challenge. Yours from Audax in Australia.
February 28, 2009 at 10:23 pm
Amazing! That’s all I can say!
February 28, 2009 at 10:10 pm
So, is the whole thing edible?!? Wow…
February 28, 2009 at 10:07 pm
I love your cake and presentation. Beautiful fondant work.
February 28, 2009 at 10:04 pm
So perfectly executed and such pretty colours!
February 28, 2009 at 9:41 pm
WOW – what a gorgeous, creative presentation!!
February 28, 2009 at 9:31 pm
I can’t count as high as the number of levels the Valentino cake has been elevated with the fondant. Gorgeous.
February 28, 2009 at 9:16 pm
Wow, this is so, so beautiful! What gorgeous photos! Yum. :)
February 28, 2009 at 9:09 pm
this is the most creative of all of this month challenge I’ve seen so far, really gorgeous!
February 28, 2009 at 9:06 pm
Wow, what a creative and fabulous presentation. Your box o’ chocolate looks great, and I love the surprise it’s hiding even more. Simply beautiful!
February 28, 2009 at 8:50 pm
Thats a gorgeous cake, just superb…Amazing photographs!!Can’t stop ogling.
February 28, 2009 at 8:42 pm
Absolutely stunning! You did a wonderful job on presentation and posting!
February 28, 2009 at 8:06 pm
This is stunning….just amazing!
February 28, 2009 at 7:48 pm
Wow your cake looks absolutely amazing!!
And your photography is awesome :)