Fallen Chocolate Cake Recipes

CHOCOLATE FALLEN SOUFFLé CAKE

Steps:

• Put oven rack in middle position and preheat oven to 350°F. Butter a 9-inch springform pan and line bottom with a round of parchment or wax paper, then butter paper.
• Melt chocolate and butter in a large metal bowl set over a pan of barely simmering water (or in a microwave-safe large glass or ceramic bowl in a microwave at 50 percent power for 4 to 5 minutes), stirring frequently, then cool completely. Whisk in vanilla, salt, and 6 tablespoons sugar. Add yolks 1 at a time, whisking well after each addition. Whisk in flour.
• Beat whites with a pinch of salt in a bowl using an electric mixer at medium-high speed until they hold soft peaks, then add remaining 6 tablespoons sugar a little at a time, beating, and continue to beat until whites hold stiff glossy peaks.
• Whisk about one fourth of whites into chocolate mixture to lighten, then fold in remaining whites gently but thoroughly. Pour batter into springform pan, spreading evenly.
• Bake until a wooden pick or skewer inserted in center comes out with moist crumbs adhering, 35 to 40 minutes.
• Cool cake in pan on a rack 10 minutes. Remove side of pan and cool cake completely. Invert cake onto rack and remove bottom of pan, discarding paper, then invert cake onto a plate.

FALLEN CHOCOLATE PECAN CAKE

Steps:

• 8-inch round spring form pan, 2 1/2 inches deep
• Position oven rack in the bottom third of the oven and preheat to 375. Spray the bottom and sides of the pan very lightly with vegetable oil spray.
• In a clean dry food processor or blender, pulverize pecans and flour until the mixture resembles the texture of fine meal. Set aside.
• In a large mixing bowl, combine chopped chocolate, cocoa, and 3/4 cup sugar. Add boiling water and whisk until chocolate is completely melted. Whisk in egg yolks and Bourbon. Set aside.
• Combine egg whites with cream of tartar in a medium mixing bowl. Beat on medium speed until soft peaks form. Gradually sprinkle in remaining sugar and beat on high speed until stiff but not dry. Whisk the flour and almonds into the chocolate mixture. Fold about one quarter of the egg whites into the chocolate mixture to lighten it. Fold in the remaining egg whites. Scrape batter into prepared pan; level the top if necessary.
• Bake 30 to 35 minutes or until toothpick or wooden skewer plunged into the center comes out with a few moist crumbs clinging to it. Cool in the pan, on a wire rack. Cake will sink like a souffle and the top crust may be broken and uneven. Cooled cake may be covered and stored at room temperature or in the refrigerator one day ahead or frozen up to two months.
• To unmold and serve: Detach the cake from the pan by sliding a small knife around the sides of the cake, pressing close to the sides of the pan. Release the spring and remove the pan sidesif the cake edges crack or break, do not eat or discard the pieces! Leave the cake on the bottom of the springform and transfer it to a serving dish. Gently replace any broken crust pieces. Sieve powdered sugar very lightly over the top to highlight the uneven surface and give the cake a rustic and appetizing appeal!