Triple Layer Chocolate Mousse Cake Americas Test Kitchen Recipe 385 Food

LAYERED CHOCOLATE MOUSSE CAKE

Steps:

• For the brownie: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Spray the bottom of a 9-inch springform pan with nonstick cooking spray.
• Whisk together the flour, cocoa powder and sugar in a medium bowl. Whisk in the milk, butter, vanilla and egg until smooth. Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake until a knife inserted in the center comes out clean, about 20 minutes. Cool completely on a wire rack, about 30 minutes.
• Unclasp the pan, remove the outer ring and spray it with nonstick cooking spray. Line the ring with a 2 1/2-inch-wide parchment strip, making sure that it sits tightly and smoothly along the sides. Re-clasp the ring to the bottom of the pan with the cake in it.
• For the mousse: Roughly chop 4 tablespoons of the butter and put in a medium microwave-safe bowl. Microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring in between each, until melted, about 1 minute. Stir in 1/4 cup of the cocoa powder until smooth; set aside. Chop the remaining 8 tablespoons butter and put in a medium microwave-safe bowl. Microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring in between each, until melted, about 1 minute. Stir in the remaining 1/2 cup cocoa powder until smooth; set aside.
• Add 1/4 cup of the heavy cream to a small microwave-safe bowl and stir in the gelatin. Let sit for 5 minutes to bloom. Microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring in between each, until the gelatin is dissolved, about 1 minute. Cool to room temperature, about 5 minutes.
• Transfer the gelatin to the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment and add the sugar, vanilla and remaining 3 3/4 cups heavy cream. Whisk on medium speed until stiff peaks form, 3 to 4 minutes. Divide the whipped cream mixture between 2 large bowls. Fold one bowl of the cocoa powder-butter mixture into each batch of whipped cream mixture and stir until no streaks remain (one bowl will contain dark chocolate mousse and the other will contain light chocolate mousse).
• Spread the dark chocolate mousse on top of the brownie in the springform pan. Use an offset spatula to even out and smooth the top. Spread the light chocolate mousse on top of the dark chocolate mousse and use an offset spatula to even out and smooth the top. Refrigerate until the mousse is set, 3 hours and up to overnight.
• For the ganache: Bring the heavy cream and butter to a boil in a small saucepan over medium-high heat. Put the semisweet chocolate in a large heatproof bowl and pour the hot cream over top. Let it sit for 5 minutes, then stir until smooth and shiny.
• Unclasp the springform pan and remove the parchment paper from the sides of the cake. Use a hot, dry offset spatula to smooth out the sides. Set a rack in a rimmed baking sheet and put the cake on top of the rack. Pour the ganache over the cake and let it drip down over the sides so the entire cake is covered. Swipe once across the top with a clean, large offset spatula to create a smooth top. Refrigerate until set, about 30 minutes.
• Hold a stencil or other tool with holes (such as a doily or a cooling rack) over the cake (do not lay it on the ganache; it will stick) and dust with more cocoa powder to create a decorative pattern. Serve immediately.

TRIPLE LAYER CHOCOLATE MOUSSE CAKE AMERICA'S TEST KITCHEN RECIPE - (3.8/5)

Steps:

• To make the bottom layer, butter the bottom and sides of a 9-inch springform pan. (I lined the bottom of the pan with a parchment round for easy removal later.) Center a rack in the oven and preheat to 325˚ F. Combine the butter, chocolate, and espresso powder in a large heatproof bowl set over simmering water. Stir occasionally until the mixture is smooth. Remove from the heat and let cool slightly, about 5 minutes. Whisk in the vanilla and egg yolks. Set aside. In a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, beat the egg whites and salt on medium speed until foamy, about 30 seconds. Crumble half of the brown sugar into the mixing bowl with your fingers to remove any lumps. Beat until incorporated, about 15 seconds. Add the remaining brown sugar and continue to beat on high speed until stiff peaks form, about 1 minute more. Using a whisk, mix one-third of the beaten egg whites to the chocolate mixture to lighten it. Fold in the remaining egg whites gently with a rubber spatula until no streaks remain. Pour the batter into the prepared springform pan and smooth the top with a spatula. Bake until the cake has risen, is firm around the edges and the center has just set but is still soft (should spring back after pressing gently with a finger), about 14-18 minutes. Transfer the cake to a wire rack to cool completely, at least 1 hour. Do not remove the cake from the pan. (If not making the second layer right away, cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate until ready to proceed.) To make the second layer, whisk together the cocoa powder and hot water in a small bowl; set aside. Melt the chocolate in a heatproof bowl set over simmering water, stirring occasionally until smooth. Once melted, remove from the heat and let cool slightly, 2-5 minutes. In the clean bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, whip the cream, sugar and salt on medium speed until the mixture begins to thicken, about 30 seconds. Increase the speed to high and whip until soft peaks form when the whisk is lifted, 30-60 seconds. Whisk in the cocoa powder mixture until smooth. Using a whisk, mix one-third of the whipped cream to the chocolate mixture to lighten it. Fold in the remaining whipped cream gently with a rubber spatula until no streaks remain. Pour the mousse into the springform pan over the cooled cake and tap gently on the counter 3 times to remove air bubbles. Gently smooth the top with a spatula. Wipe the inside edge of the pan to remove any drips. Refrigerate for at least 15 minutes while preparing the top layer. To make the top layer, sprinkle the gelatin over the water in a small bowl and let stand at least 5 minutes to soften. Place the white chocolate in a medium bowl. Bring ½ cup of the cream to a boil in a small saucepan. Remove the pan from the heat, add the gelatin mixture and stir until dissolved. Pour the hot cream mixture over the white chocolate and let stand about 1 minute. Whisk until the mixture is smooth. Cool to room temperature, about 5-8 minutes, stirring occasionally. In the clean bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, whip the remaining 1 cup of cream at medium speed until it begins to thicken. Increase the speed to high and whip until soft peaks form when the whisk is lifted, 30-60 seconds. Using a whisk, mix one-third of the whipped cream to the white chocolate mixture to lighten it. Fold in the remaining whipped cream gently with a rubber spatula until no streaks remain. Spoon the white chocolate mousse into the pan over the middle layer. Smooth the top with an offset spatula. Return the cake to the refrigerator and chill until set, at least 2½ hours. (Note: Do NOT cover your pan with plastic wrap unless you are completely sure you can do so without it touching the top of your cake during placement or removal. If it does touch the cake, it will smudge the perfectly pristine top, forcing you to make an excessive amount of chocolate curls. I speak from experience.)

TRIPLE LAYER CHOCOLATE MOUSSE CAKE

Steps:

• Make the chocolate mousse: Put the chocolate in a food processor fitted with the metal chopping blade.
• Process for 20 to 30 seconds, until finely ground.
• In a small saucepan, combine the milk, sugar and salt.
• Cook over medium heat, stirring with a wooden spoon, until the sugar dissolves and the milk comes to a boil.
• Remove the pan from the heat.
• With the motor of the food processor running, pour the hot milk through the feed tube.
• Process for 10 to 20 seconds, until the chocolate is completely melted.
• Using a spatula, scrape down the side of the work bowl.
• Add the oil and vanilla extract; process for 5 to 10 seconds, until the mixture is creamy.
• Scrape the chocolate mixture into a large bowl and cool for about 5 minutes, until tepid.
• In a chilled 4-1/2 quart bowl of a heavy-duty electric mixer fitted with the wire whisk attachment, whip the cream until soft mounds barely start to form and the cream is still pourable.
• Do not overwhip the cream.
• Using a large rubber spatula, gently fold one-third of the whipped cream into the tepid chocolate mixture to lighten it.
• Fold in the remaining whipped cream.
• Do not overfold the mousse or the texture will be grainy.
• Cover with plastic wrap and chill for 6 to 8 hours or overnight, until firm.
• Make the cake: Grease three 10-inch round cake pans.
• Cut three 10-inch circles of waxed paer and place in the bottom of each pan.
• Grease the pan well and then flour, tapping out the excess.
• Set aside.
• Place the oven racks two shelves apart.
• Preheat the over to 350 degrees F.
• Sift together the flour, baking soda and salt.
• Set aside.
• Place the coarsely chopped chocolate and the water on top of a double boiler and turn heat to medium-high, whisking occasionally until smooth.
• Remove from the top of the double boiler and cool slightly.
• Meanwhile, in a 4-1/2 quart bowl of a heavy-duty electric mixer using the paddle attachment, cream together the butter and the sugars.
• Add the vanilla.
• Add the eggs one by one, mixing on medium speed until blended.
• Using a rubber spatula, scrape down the sides of the bowl.
• With the mixer at its lowest speed, add half of the dry ingredients and the half of the buttermilk.
• When blended, add the remaining buttermilk and the chocolate mixture.
• Mix until blended then add the remaining dry ingredients.
• Mix on medium speed just until blended and the flour lumps disappear.
• Divide evenly among the three prepared pans and smooth the tops with an offset metal spatula.
• Bake for 28 to 32 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean.
• Remove the pans from the oven and place on wire cooling racks.
• Cool for 15 minutes and invert.
• Peel off the waxed paper and cool completely.
• Begin to assemble the cake: Place a dab of chocolate mousse and then a layer of the cooled cake on a 10-inch cardboard cake circle or the circular insert of a tart pan.
• Using a large rubber spatula, place about one-quarter of the chilled chocolate mousse on top of the first cake layer.
• Using a metal cake spatula, spread the mousse evenly not quite to the sides of the cake.
• There should be slightly less than one-half inch of mousse on top of the cake.
• Place the second cake layer on top and repeat the mousse layer.
• Place the third cake layer on top, then spread the remaining chocolate mousse over the top and sides of the cake, coating smoothly and evenly.
• Place the cake in the freezer for a minimum of four hours.
• Make the ganache glaze: Place the coarsely chopped chocolate in a food processor fitted with the metal chopping blade.
• Process for 20 to 30 seconds, until finely ground.
• Place in a large bowl.
• In a medium pan, scald the heavy cream and pour over the chocolate.
• Using a metal whisk, gently stir until smooth and melted.
• Continue stirring until the ganache is room temperature or just slightly warmer.
• Glaze and garnish the cake: Place the Oreos in a food processor fitted with the metal chopping blade.
• Process for 20 to 30 seconds, until finely ground.
• Remove the cake from the freezer and place on a wire rack that has been set over aluminum foil or a sheet pan.
• Slowly pour the ganache over the top of the cake, smoothing with a large metal cake spatula.
• When the top has been coated, slowly pour the ganache around the sides of the cake so it drips down and coats the sides.
• Use the spatula to spread the ganache evenly over the sides of the cake.
• When completely coated with the ganache, scoop the Oreo crumbs with your hand and press them onto the sides of the cake, coating its entirety.
• Refrigerate until ready to serve.

ALMOST-FAMOUS CHOCOLATE MOUSSE CAKE

Steps:

• Make the cake: Prepare the cake mix as the label directs for a 9-by-13-inch cake. Bake; cool slightly in the pan, then invert onto a rack to cool completely.
• Clean out the cake pan and line it with plastic wrap. Cut the cake in half lengthwise, then in thirds crosswise to make 6 rectangles. Using a serrated knife, slice each rectangle in half to make two layers. Arrange half of the pieces snugly in the cake pan. Crumble the remaining pieces and press tightly into 6 small balls; arrange 1 cake ball in the center of each cake rectangle in the pan.
• Make the mousse: Heat the chocolate, butter, coffee and 1/4 cup water in a heatproof bowl set over a saucepan of simmering water (do not let the bowl touch the water), stirring, until melted. Remove the bowl from the pan; stir until cool. Reserve the simmering water. Fill a large bowl with ice water.
• Whisk the egg yolks, 1 1/2 cups sugar and 2 tablespoons water in a separate large heatproof bowl. Set the bowl over the saucepan of simmering water and whisk until pale yellow, 6 to 8 minutes. Add the chocolate-coffee mixture and the vanilla and whisk until combined, about 2 minutes. Remove the bowl from the pan and set in the bowl of ice water; whisk until slightly cool but not thick, about 4 minutes.
• Beat the egg whites and salt in a bowl with a mixer until foamy. Add 2 tablespoons sugar and beat until almost stiff; gently fold into the chocolate-yolk mixture to make a dark chocolate mousse. Spread 5 cups over the cake and cake balls. Freeze until firm on top, about 30 minutes.
• Beat the heavy cream and the remaining 4 tablespoons sugar until soft peaks form; fold into the remaining mousse. Remove the cake from the freezer; spread with the light chocolate mousse, cover with plastic wrap and freeze until firm, at least 6 hours or overnight.
• Make the chocolate shell: Stir the chocolate, heavy cream and 4 tablespoons corn syrup in a heatproof bowl set over a saucepan of simmering water (do not let the bowl touch the water) until melted. A spoonful at a time, spread half of the shell mixture over the frozen mousse. Return to the freezer.
• Make the chocolate sauce: Add the remaining 1 tablespoon corn syrup and the butter to the remaining chocolate shell mixture. Microwave 30 seconds, then stir until glossy.
• To serve the cake, beat the heavy cream with a mixer until foamy. Add the sugar and beat until soft peaks form. Remove the cake from the freezer; invert onto a baking sheet and unmold, then invert again onto a platter, chocolate shell-side up.
• Cut the cake in half lengthwise using a warm knife, then cut into thirds crosswise to make 6 rectangles; cut each rectangle in half diagonally to make 2 triangles. Top each triangle with whipped cream, ice cream and the prepared chocolate sauce.

TRIPLE LAYER CHOCOLATE MOUSSE

Steps:

• SOFT MOUSSE: Melt chocolate over simmering water of a water bath.
• Whip egg yolks with 1/3 cup powdered sugar until pale and airy, place whipped yolks in medium sized bowl. Add warm melted chocolate and fold until just mixed. Wash bowl and wipe thoroughly.
• Dissolve 1/3 cup granulated sugar and 1/4 cup water in small pot, bring to a boil, cook to 230 degrees on a candy thermometer.
• While sugar is boiling slowly whip whites to soft peak. When sugar is ready, slowly pour into whites while beating at a medium speed in a steady stream. Continue to whip until stiff peaks form. Spoon whites on top of yolks but do not fold.
• Whip cream and 1/3 cup powdered sugar until medium stiff peak, now fold in whites until just mixed. Add cream and fold until incorporated. Do not over fold. Store in refrigerator until ready to use (should be used as soon as possible).
• SOLID CHOCOLATE MOUSSE: Melt chocolate hot, over double broiler (do not burn chocolate), heat until it is warm to the touch. Whip cream until very soft peaks form (lines show in slightly whipped cream).
• Very, very quickly add chocolate to cream and fold in, mixture may look broken but keep folding until everything is smooth, but do not overmix. Place in bowl, cover and refrigerate until set.
• TO SERVE: Place the two mousses in composition to contrast each other. Garnish with chocolate cool whip.

TRIPLE-CHOCOLATE MOUSSE CAKE

Steps:

• Heat oven to 375ºF.
• Pour chocolate syrup into 12-cup fluted tube pan sprayed with cooking spray.
• Beat cake mix, water, oil and 3 eggs in large bowl with mixer 2 min. or until blended. Add sour cream; mix well. Pour over syrup in pan.
• Beat cream cheese and sugar in separate bowl with mixer until blended. Add remaining eggs; mix well. Blend in evaporated milk and melted chocolate; gently spoon over cake batter in pan. Cover with Reynolds Wrap® Aluminum Foil sprayed with cooking spray, sprayed side down.
• Place tube pan in large shallow pan. Add enough water to larger pan to come at least 2 inches up side of tube pan. Bake 1 hour 30 min. or until toothpick inserted near center comes out clean. Cool cake completely in pan. Refrigerate 2 hours. Invert cake onto plate; remove pan. Serve cake topped with COOL WHIP.

RED VELVET LAYER CAKE FROM THE AMERICA'S TEST KITCHEN

Steps:

• ***Cake Recipe***.
• Adjust an oven rack to the middle position and heat to 350 degrees. Grease, line with parchment or wax paper, and dust with cocoa powder two 9-inch cake pans.
• Whisk the flour, baking soda, and salt together in a medium bowl. In another medium bowl, whisk the buttermilk, eggs, vinegar, and vanilla extract together. In a small bowl, mix 2 tablespoons of the cocoa and red food coloring together to a smooth paste.
• In a large bowl, beat the butter and sugar together with an electric mixer on medium-high speed until light and fluffy, 3 to 6 minutes. Reduce the mixer speed to low and beat in one-third of the flour mixture, followed by half of the buttermilk mixture. Repeat with half of the remaining flour mixture and the remaining buttermilk mixture. Beat in the remaining flour mixture until just combined. Beat in the cocoa mixture until the batter is uniform.
• Give the batter a final stir with a rubber spatula to make sure it is thoroughly combined. Scrape the bater into the prepared pans, smooth the tops, and gently tap the pans on the counter to settle the batter. Bake the cakes until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with a few crumbs attached, about 25 minutes, rotating the pans halfway through baking (I didn't do this).
• Let the cakes cool in the pans for 10 minutes. Run a small knife around the edge of the cakes, then flip them out onto a wire rack. Peel off the parchment paper, flip the cakes right side up, and let cool completely before frosting, about 2 hours.
• Line the edges of a cake platter with stripes of parchment or wax paper to keep the platter clean while you assemble the cake. Place one of the cake layers on the platter (before doing this, place a small blob of icing in the center to hold the cake in place). Spread 1 cup of the frosting over the top, right to the edge of the cake. Place the other cake layer on top and press gently to adhere. Frost the cake with the remaining frosting (I did a crumb coat first, then sealed the cake with more icing) and remove the parchment strips from the platter before serving.
• ***Cream Cheese Frosting***.
• Beat the cream cheese, butter, sour cream, vanilla, and salt together in a large bowl with an electric mixer on medium-high speed until smooth, 2-4 minutes.
• Reduce mixer speed to medium-low, slowly add the confectioners' sugar, and beat until smooth, 4 to 6 minutes. Increase the mixer speed to medium-high and beat until the frosting is light and fluffy, 4 to 6 minutes.

AMERICA'S TEST KITCHEN COCONUT LAYER CAKE

Steps:

• 1. For the Cake: Adjust oven rack to lower-middle position and heat oven to 325 degrees. Grease two 9-inch round cake pans with shortening and dust with flour.
• 2. Beat egg whites and whole egg in large measuring cup with fork to combine. Add cream of coconut, water, vanilla, and coconut extract and beat with fork until thoroughly combined.
• 3. Combine flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt in bowl of standing mixer fitted with paddle attachment. Mix on lowest speed to combine, about 30 seconds. With mixer still running on lowest speed, add butter 1 piece at a time, then beat until mixture resembles coarse meal, with butter bits no larger than small peas, 2 to 2 1/2 minutes.
• 4. With mixer still running, add 1 cup liquid. Increase speed to medium-high and beat until light and fluffy, about 45 seconds. With mixer still running, add remaining 1 cup liquid in steady stream (this should take about 15 seconds). Stop mixer and scrape down bowl with rubber spatula, then beat at medium-high speed to combine, about 15 seconds. (Batter will be thick.).
• 5. Divide batter between cake pans and level with offset or rubber spatula. Bake until deep golden brown, cakes pull away from sides of pans, and toothpick inserted into center of cakes comes out clean, about 30 minutes (rotate cakes after about 20 minutes). Do not turn off oven.
• 6. Cool in pans on wire racks about 10 minutes, then loosen cakes from sides of pans with paring knife, invert cakes onto racks and then re-invert; cool to room temperature.
• 7. While cakes are cooling, spread shredded coconut on rimmed baking sheet; toast in oven until shreds are a mix of golden brown and white, about 15 to 20 minutes, stirring 2 or 3 times. Cool to room temperature.
• 8. For the Buttercream: Combine whites, sugar, and salt in bowl of standing mixer; set bowl over saucepan containing 1 1/2-inches of barely simmering water. Whisk constantly until mixture is opaque and warm to the touch and registers about 120 degrees on an instant-read thermometer, about 2 minutes.
• 9. Transfer bowl to mixer and beat whites on high speed with whisk attachment until barely warm (about 80 degrees) and whites are glossy and sticky, about 7 minutes. Reduce speed to medium-high and beat in butter 1 piece at a time. Beat in cream of coconut and coconut and vanilla extracts. Stop mixer and scrape bottom and sides of bowl. Continue to beat at medium-high speed until well-combined, about 1 minute.
• 10. To Assemble the Cake: Follow illustrations in chart below. Cut into slices and serve. (Wrap leftover cake in plastic and refrigerate; bring to room temperature before serving.).
• ASSEMBLING THE CAKE.
• 1. With a long serrated knife, cut both cakes in half horizontally so that each cake forms two layers.
• 2. Put a dab of icing on a cardboard round cut just larger than the cake. Center one cake layer on the round.
• 3. Place a large blob of icing in the center of the layer and spread it to the edges with an icing spatula.
• 4. Hold the spatula at a 45-degree angle to the cake and drag it across the surface to level the icing. Repeat steps 3 and 4 with remaining cake layers.
• 5. To ice the sides of the cake, scoop up a large dab of icing with the tip of the spatula and spread it on the sides with short side-to-side strokes.
• 6. Sprinkle the top of the cake with coconut. Then press the coconut into the sides, letting the excess fall back onto a baking sheet.

TRIPLE CHOCOLATE MOUSSE CAKE

Steps:

• Make the cake:.
• Adjust the oven rack to the middle of the oven and heat to 350ºF. Lightly grease and flour 1 8-inch springform pan. Tap out any excess flour.
• Place the chocolate in a small heatproof bowl. Bring water to a boil and pour it over the chocolate. Stir with a silicone spatula until the chocolate is melted and smooth, about 2 minutes. Add the coffee granules and cocoa powder. Whisk until smooth. Add 1/4 cup of the sugar and stir until thick and glossy, about 2 minutes.
• In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the butter and remaining sugar together until light and fluffy. Beat in the eggs and egg yolks, one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Beat in the vanilla. Add the chocolate mixture and mix until thoroughly combined.
• In a small bowl, combine the flour, baking soda, and salt. Stir with a whisk. Add half of the flour mixture to the chocolate mixture, followed by the buttermilk, mixing until incorporated. Add remaining flour mixture and mix until the batter is thoroughly combined.
• Spread the batter into the bottom of the prepared pan, smoothing it to the edges with a spatula. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Cool to room temperature in the pan on a wire rack.
• Make the mousse:.
• In a small bowl, sprinkle the gelatin over water, let stand for 5 minutes. Place chocolate and sugar in a medium bowl. Bring 1/2 cup of the cream to a simmer in a small saucepan over medium-high heat. Remove from heat; add the softened gelatin and stir until fully dissolved. Pour the cream over the chocolate and whisk until chocolate is melted and mixture is smooth. Cool to room temperature, stirring occasionally. The mixture will thicken slightly.
• In the bowl a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, whip the remaining 1 cup cream at medium speed until it begins to thicken, about 30 seconds. Increase the speed to high and whip until soft peaks form, about 30 to 60 seconds. Use a whisk to mix in 1/3 of the whipped cream into the chocolate mixture. Use a rubber spatula to fold the remaining whipped cream into the chocolate mixture until no streaks appear. Spoon the chocolate mousse into the pan over the chocolate cake. Smooth the top with an offset spatula. Return the cake to the refrigerator and chill until set, about 2 hours.
• Make the ganache:.
• Heat the cream and butter in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Remove from heat just before it begins to boil. Place the chocolate in a medium heatproof bowl and pour the hot cream over the chocolate. Stir until chocolate is melted and smooth. Cool to room temperature. Spread the ganache over the top of the mousse layer and refrigerate until set. About 45 minutes.
• Run a knife along the outer edge of the cake to loosen it from the pan and gently remove from the pan. Serve with whipped cream or fresh berries.
• Notes.
• Total time does not reflect the time needed for the mousse and ganache to set. Please allow 3 extra hours for this.

TRIPLE CHOCOLATE MOUSSE CAKE

Steps:

• ----makethe chocolate genoise----:[You can also use your favorite Chocolate American Butter Cake if you don't feel comfortable with the genoise] preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• butter a 9" springform pan, put a round of parchment in the bottom, butter again and flour.
• Sift the cocoa and flour into a medium bowl, whisk to combine, set aside.
• Fill a pot one third full with water and bring to a simmer.
• Comine the eggs and sugar in the bowl of an electric mixer.
• Place the bowl over the simmering water (bowl should not be touching the water) and whisk until the mixture is warm to the touch.
• Transfer the bowl to the mixer and, using the whisk attachment, beat on medium speed until the mixture triples in volume and forms a thick ribbon when the whisk is lifted-- about 8 minutes.
• In four batches, sift the flour mixture into the egg mixture and quickly, but gently, fold the flour in.
• (this may take some practice).
• Fold in the butter, scrape into prepared pan.
• Bake cake for 20-25 minutes, until it's just pulled away from the sides and the top springs back when lightly touched.
• Cool in the pan for 10 minutes then unmold cake on a cooling rack and allow to sit until room temperature.
• Leave the cake on the bottom of the springform pan.
• ----Make the Sugar Syrup----: Combine the 1/4 cup of sugar with 1/4 cup of water in a small sauce pan.
• You can flavor the syrup with a liquer if desired.
• Almond or hazlenut works well with this cake.
• Bring to a boil (be sure to cook off all alcohol if using a liquer).
• Let cool to room temperature.
• ----Makethe Mousses----: Chop the chocolate and place in three medium bowls.
• Bring the cream to a boil in a small sauce pan.
• Pour a half cup of hot cream into each of the bowls of chocolate.
• Whisk each until smooth (it's nice to have a helper for this;-).
• Let the chocolate mixtures cool for 15 minutes, should be a warm room temperature.
• Meanwhile whip the 3 3/4 cups of cream and refrigerate.
• When all is cool gently fold 1/3rd of the cream into each of the chocolates, refrigerate.
• ----Assemblethe cake----: Using a long serrated knife cut the cake horizontally into three layers.
• Install side of springform pan.
• Brush sugar syrup onto the bottom layer, spread the milk chocolte mousse onto the cake.
• Place 2nd cake layer ontop of the mousse and brush with syrup.
• Spread white chocolate on this layer.
• Finally, put the top on the cake and spread dark chocolate mousse.
• Cover and refrigerate for a minimum of four hours or up to 24 hours.
• Garnish with white chocolate curls before serving.
• I've kept this cake for a couple days with good results, but it is at it's peak the same day it's made.