Anna Olson Flourless Chocolate Cake Food

FLOURLESS CHOCOLATE CAKE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Butter the bottom and sides of a 9-inch springform pan (preferably light metal); dust with cocoa powder and tap out the excess. Combine the butter and chocolate in a medium heatproof bowl set over a pan of simmering water (do not let the bowl touch the water); stir until melted and smooth. Remove the bowl from the pan and let cool to room temperature.
• Meanwhile, beat the eggs, granulated sugar and salt in a large bowl with a mixer on medium-high speed until thickened and very airy, 4 to 6 minutes. Beat in the orange liqueur and vanilla. Gently fold in the melted chocolate mixture with a rubber spatula in three additions until just combined (do not overmix).
• Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake until the edges are set and the center puffs but is slightly jiggly, 30 to 40 minutes. (The cake will continue to set as it cools.) Transfer to a rack and let cool completely (the center may sink a bit). Remove the springform ring. Dust the cake with cocoa powder and confectioners' sugar just before serving.

FLOURLESS CHOCOLATE CAKE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 325 degrees F. Spray a 9 by 2-inch spring form pan with nonstick spray.
• Put the chocolate, butter, and salt in a large microwave safe bowl. Melt in the microwave on 75 percent power for 2 minutes. Stir and microwave again until completely melted, about 2 minutes more. Alternatively, put the chocolate and butter in a heatproof bowl. Bring a saucepan filled with an inch or so of water to a very slow simmer; set the bowl on the pan without touching the water. Stir occasionally until melted.
• Beat the eggs and sugar with a standing or handheld mixer until light and thickened, about 8 to 10 minutes. Fold the melted chocolate into the whipped eggs until evenly combined.
• Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out wet but not gooey, about 1 hour and 25 minutes. Remove cake from the oven and cool on a rack.
• When ready to serve remove ring from spring form mold. Dust cake with confectioners' sugar or cocoa powder. Serve with whipped cream or ice cream if desired.
• Beat the cream and vanilla in a chilled non-reactive bowl with a whisk or an electric mixer just until they hold a loose peak. (Lift the beater from the cream and look at the shape of the peak at the end of the whisk; it should hold a lazy curve.) Sift the sugar over the cream and continue to beat just until it holds a soft peak. Take care not to over beat the cream or it will be look curdy. Serve, or refrigerate covered for up to 4 hours.