“What you see before you, my friend, is the result of a lifetime of chocolate.” – Katharine Hepburn
Some days, one needs a little chocolate – or a lot of chocolate. As for me? Everyday I need chocolate. Yes, need. A life without chocolate is lot like one without fabulous wine, cheese, books or music. Just not fun. Simply sad.
One of my favorite chocolate treats is a flourless chocolate torte. It is my signature Passover dessert dish, as it is naturally unleavened and free of flour, in keeping with the dietary laws of Pesach. Still, the dessert seems to pop up in holiday meals – and everyday ones, for that matter – year round. My intensely chocolate version tastes rich and decadent, but is still healthy enough to enjoy often. Definite often as you will (hourly?). Not only is this recipe lighter than most, but it is also faster. No fuss, no frills, just good food.
“There is nothing better than a friend, unless it is a friend with chocolate.” – Linda Grayson
Did I mention that the torte is gluten-free, as well? It’s wonderful gift for your friends, gluten-eating and gluten-intolerant alike.
“Strength is the capacity to break a Hershey bar into four pieces with your bare hands – and then eat just one of the pieces.” – Judith Viorist
Yes, I unapologetically am lacking in willpower and weak in the knees when it comes to chocolate.
This torte is delicious with a cup of warm, freshly brewed coffee in the morning. I am not above eating chocolate for breakfast – or dinner, for that matter – and neither are my two little munchkins. As if there was any doubt, this recipe is 110% kid-tested and approved. It promises lots of chocolate crumbs on the floor and small faces smeared by fudgy, cocoa goodness… plus big smiles and happy tummies. “Yay!” clapped the Littlest Guy. The Princess was completely silenced by the goodness. A quiet three-year-old is a rarity, for sure.
The preparation of the cake flies by, especially if your children love to bake as much as mine do. They even clean the bowls, albeit with their tongues. And remember, don’t neglect to make the orange-almond mascarpone cream. Your kids will happily lick that bowl, as well. The accompaniment takes the cake to another level. The elements of floral honey, earthy almonds and bright, crisp orange sing in unison with the creamy mascarpone. And, Ms. Chocolate never met a Mr. Orange that she didn’t like (oh, and yes, chocolate is definitely a woman).
Let’s get baking! A moist and mouth-watering treat awaits. Note: the torte will fall slightly in the middle. Fear not, this is part of it’s unique beauty – it sinks from the sheer amount of deep, dark chocolate. Oh, yes.
Light Flourless Chocolate Torte with Orange-Almond Mascarpone Cream
A no-fuss, straightforward preparation of a modern American classic
Ingredients:
8 ounces excellent quality dark chocolate, 70% cocoa content, chopped (I used Scharffen Berger 70% bittersweet chocolate)
1/2 cup fine, granulated sugar
3 Tbsp. unsalted butter
6 large eggs, separated
1/2 cup strong, freshly brewed coffee, regular or decafeinated, cooled*
1 Tbsp. good quality vanilla extract (I used Madécasse Madagascar pure vanilla extract)
pinch of salt, about 1/4 tsp.
Preparation:
1.) Preheat oven to 350°F or 177°C and set an oven-rack in center of oven. Line a 6 inch cake pan or springform pan with parchment paper and spray with cooking spray.
2.) In the bottom section of a double boiler*, heat about four inches of water until just simmering. Melt the chocolate and the butter in the top section of the double boiler. Then, stir in the sugar and remove from heat. Set the chocolate and butter mixture aside and allow to cool. Then, stir in the coffee*, salt and vanilla. Whisk in six egg yolks, one at a time.
3.) In a small bowl, beat six egg whites until light peaks form. Using a spatula, gently stir the egg whites into the chocolate mixture. Pour the batter into the prepared cake or springform pan.
4.) Bake on the center oven rack for 20 minutes, or until the torte is just set and has pulled away from the sides of the pan, and a toothpick comes out clean. The torte may sink slightly in the middle; this is part of it’s beauty.
5.) Allow the torte cool for at least thirty minutes. Then, slice and serve with fresh berries and orange-almond mascarpone cream (recipe below). Refrigerate leftovers (if any torte remains); the cake will keep for about two weeks. Enjoy!
*If you do not have a double bowler, simply set a heat-proof glass bowl over a small pot of simmering water in place of the double boiler.
*You will not taste the coffee in the recipe; the ingredient simply enhances the rich, dark chocolate flavor of the torte.
Orange-Almond Mascarpone Cream
Feel free to double this recipe for a crowd
Ingredients:
4 ounces mascarpone (1/2 of a standard, 8 ounce container), room temperature
the zest and juice of one large orange
1-2 Tbsp. of honey, to taste
1/2 tsp pure almond extract
Preparation:
1.) Using a whisk, mix the mascarpone, the zest and juice of the orange and the almond extract until the mixture is smooth.
2.) Add the honey, one teaspoon at a time, to taste. Each tablespoon of honey has three teaspoons. I prefer a lightly sweetened mascarpone cream; it strikes a nice balance well with the perfectly sweet chocolate torte.
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©Shanna Koenigsdorf Ward, shannaward.com (2013), unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without expressed and written permission from this blog’s author, Shanna Koenigsdorf Ward, and/or owner is strictly and completely prohibited.
Great photos. Love the chocolate covered kids! Love flourless chocolate cakes.
Thank you, Chef Janet! I realize that I need to improve the food photography and hopefully this was a step-forward. I focused on angles, natural lighting and even fell off a chair into our printer. All in a day’s learning. Oh, and flourless chocolate cake is one of my favorite things, too!
Night and day improvement. Sorry you fell. Hope you don’t bruise.
Glad I could give you some guidance. I can see that you are digesting the ideas and look what’s coming out. Well done. BTW: before you buy a new format, did you see that wordpress allows you to preview. Some of the free sites allow you to post your own photo. Explore and see what’s there before you spend your money.
Haha, just a little bruising. Sturdy chair next time and won’t perch on the chair back, either. Nice tip on the format…taking a further look today. Thanks!
oh my god!seems gorgeous! i wanna try!
I hope that you do, Credina! Let me know what you think of the recipe. Thanks for stopping by the blog!
Shanna, everything looks great. I love what you did to your blog. The cake looks delightful. Keep it up. 🙂
A lovely combination of flavors, looks good and I’ll give this one a try!
Thank you for the lovely words. I hope you do – after all, “Mama’s got to bake.” Your blog is spectacular. I love that you have combined your art degree and pastry arts training into an online publication.
I’m looking for recipes that don’t call for sugar. I guess the sugar is in the chocolate here. Just tried meringues with stevia – big flop!!!
Of course, I meant to say I loved your cake recipe 🙂
Thank you, “Vinny Grette.” I am glad you are here. I love the focus on health displayed in your blog.
How lucky of your beautiful children to have you making this for them!
Thank you for your sweet comment and for stopping by Casa Curls and Carrots. I am so lucky to have my children – it’s hard to imagine life without them.
I have got to try this. It looks blissful Shanna! Truly!
Oh, I hope that you do. I would love to hear your thoughts! We really enjoyed the deep, dark chocolate flavors. Thank you so much for your lovely, comment!
I loveee flourless cake, and this one looks like a yummy recipe. I will be trying this out soon. Thank you for sharing.
One of my favorite foods, as well. I appreciate your kind comment! Thank you for visiting!
Yes, I must try this!! Thank you.
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Salt and vanilla is listed under ingredients but not listed in the preparation. I guess we can figure it out.
Thank you, Gideon. This was was my of my first posts! I have correct the recipe. Stir the vanilla and salt into the cooled chocolate. Have a great day.
choc orange is my fav combo for desserts. This looks wickedly good.
Thank you. I hope you give it a try! 🙂