This cake is on top of my favorites at the moment, it is very similar to my favorite chocolate cake recipe except this one has ground almonds (which I like better ) instead of flour and cocoa.
Apart from being easy to make, this cake is simply delicious- with beautiful texture and rich chocolate taste – it is uncomplicated but very versatile too.
It can be served simply with just a light dusting of powdered sugar or cocoa; maybe a dollop of whipped cream on top and some berries on the side OR dressed it up with a coating of ganache and garnish it with almonds on the sides for a very special occasion if you like.
Most recipes of this cake beat the eggs whites separately and combine the yolks with the chocolate batter. I simplified the procedure a little by beating the eggs and sugar until it becomes very pale-almost white and fluffy then fold it in the chocolate batter. It gives the same result and saves me time.
combine chocolate, coffee powder, rum (if using) and butter in a pan or double-boiler. Add ground almonds; set aside
Put eggs and sugar in a bowl and beat
until it looks like this-very pale and fluffy- that’s the ribbon stage for those who don’t know it yet
take about a couple spoonsfull of the egg mixture and fold it in the chocolate batter to lighten it then quickly fold the rest of the beaten eggs until just incorporated
pour in the prepared pan and bake!
..and here she is, my favorite cake 🙂
all shiny and dressed up for the Holidays..to be honest though she doesn’t need
Flourless Chocolate Almond Cake
Equipment
Ingredients
- 8 ounces Bittersweet Chocolate 200 grams / chopped
- 1 teaspoon Coffee Powder or espresso powder
- 1 tablespoon Rum or brandy / optional
- 11 tablespoons Unsalted Butter or salted butter / 150 grams / cut into small pieces
- ⅔ cup Granulated White Sugar 150 grams / divided
- 4 pcs Eggs large size / separated
- ½ teaspoon Vanilla Extract pure
- 1 cup Finely Ground Almonds 100 grams
Instructions
- Grease and lightly flour an 8-inch round or square cake springform pan.
- Preheat your oven to 180°C/Gas 4.
- Melt the chocolate, coffee, rum or brandy (if using) and butter in a heavy-bottomed saucepan over low heat or in a bowl sitting in a pot of barely simmering water.
- Remove from the heat and stir until well mixed.
- Add the ground almonds and mix well.
- Place eggs and sugar in the bowl of your mixer, using the whisk attachment, beat until really pale and fluffy (ribbon stage) you can test this by lifting the whisk from the bowl and if the egg mixture can hold its shape for at least 4 seconds.. you've reached the ribbon stage.
- Fold the beaten egg mixture into the melted chocolate batter by first adding a little of the beaten eggs to lighten it then quickly fold in the rest of the eggs and mix only until incorporated.
- Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake for about 45 to 50 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center of the cake has a few moist crumbs.
- Leave to cool before removing gently from the tin, and dust with icing sugar to serve.
- Don't be alarmed if the cake sinks in the middle after taking it out of the oven to cool, that is supposed to happen.
- Once cake is completely cooled, run a spatula around the inside of the pan before releasing the sides.
- Dust with powdered sugar or cocoa before serving.
- Enjoy!
