Happy Cake

Dear Random Readers,
Okay, I just made the most awesome cake yesterday! This is the best recipe ever!

Chocolate Cracked Earth (Flourless Chocolate Cake)

Ingredients
1 pound bittersweet chocolate, chopped into small pieces
1 stick unsalted butter
9 large eggs, separated
3/4 cup granulated sugar, plus 1 tablespoon

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
Butter a 9-inch springform pan.

Instructions
Put the chocolate and butter into the top of a double boiler (or in a heatproof bowl) and heat over (but not touching) about 1 inch of simmering water until melted. Meanwhile, whisk the egg yolks with the sugar in a mixing bowl until light yellow in color. Whisk a little of the chocolate mixture into the egg yolk mixture to temper the eggs - this will keep the eggs from scrambling from the heat of the chocolate - then whisk in the rest of the chocolate mixture.

Beat the egg whites in a mixing bowl until stiff peaks form and fold into the chocolate mixture. Pour into the prepared pan and bake until the cake is set, the top starts to crack and a toothpick inserted into the cake comes out with moist crumbs clinging to it, 20 to 25 minutes. Let stand 10 minutes, then remove sides of pan.

Chocolate Ganache

Ingredients
2 cups heavy cream
1 1/2 pounds bittersweet chocolate, chopped into small pieces

Instructions
Heat the cream until it just comes to a simmer. Remove from the heat. Place the chocolate in a heat-proof bowl. Pour the cream over the chocolate. Allow to sit for about 10 to 15 seconds. Then, whisk until the chocolate is melted and the mixture is smooth. Allow to cool slightly, stirring occasionally. Mixture should be a little thick, but still pourable.

Place the cake on a metal rack set over a sheet pan. Pour the chocolate ganache over the cake and smooth the top and sides with a palette knife. Let set for 1 hour.

It is heaven in flourless chocolate cake with chocolate ganache form. It was fairly easy, especially the ganache. The thing that took the longest was whipping the egg whites for the cake. Even though we used a handheld mixer thing, it took nearly twenty minutes to get to what they call "stiff peaks". It looked like meringue. This is awesome cake, you really need to make it. Just be prepared to plop down about fifteen dollars for all the ingredients. Well, if you make it, I hope you enjoy it!

Love you people (is that better Brandon?),
Nicole