Makes: one 8-inch cake
- 4ounces bittersweet chocolate, roughly chopped
- 1tablespoon espresso or strong coffee
- 1tablespoon brandy or other hard liquor (I've used grappa in a pinch)
- 3ounces butter, plus extra for greasing the pan
- 3ounces ground almonds (or substitute ground walnuts or hazelnuts)
- 3ounces sugar
- 3eggs, separated
- Confectioners' sugar, boozy whipped cream, or crème fraîche, for serving (optional)
- Preheat oven to 290° F. Butter an 8-inch cake pan generously.
- In a double boiler, melt the chocolate with the coffee and brandy. Add the butter and melt, then add the almonds and sugar and mix well. Remove from the heat and stir in the egg yolks one at a time, adding them only after the previous one has been thoroughly mixed in. In a separate bowl, beat the egg whites to stiff peaks. Fold into the batter and pour the batter into the buttered cake pan. Bake in the center of the oven for about 50 minutes. This is a dense and moist cake so don’t expect the cake tester to come out dry. Depending on your oven, it may take up to 20 additional minutes to cook.
- Remove from oven, allow to cool on a rack, then, once cool, invert onto a serving plate. I like to dust the top with confectioners' sugar and it's particularly pretty if you put a paper doily on top so as to get a lacy effect. I find this cake is intense and rich, but if you need an addition, stiffly beaten and very boozy whipped cream is a good one
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