Chocolate cake with cocoa cream

The countertop: Start by carefully separating the eggs, making sure the whites are not contaminated with any yolk. Put the egg whites in a clean, dry bowl, then use a mixer to whip them until frothy. Gradually add the four tablespoons of sugar, continuing to mix until you have a glossy, stiff meringue. In a separate bowl, beat the egg yolks with the 2 tablespoons of sugar and the vanilla essence, mixing well until light cream. Carefully fold in the flour, using a spatula to keep the air in the mixture. Pour the mixture into a baking tray lined with baking paper and bake at 180 degrees Celsius for about 25-30 minutes, or until the pastry is firm to the touch and a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean. Once baked, cool on a wire rack.

Cream: In a saucepan, add the 4 eggs, 4 tablespoons sugar, and 4 tablespoons water. Place the saucepan over a bain-marie, stirring constantly to prevent the eggs from curdling. Continue stirring until the mixture becomes thick, cream-like. Take the saucepan off the heat and add the 100 grams of cocoa, stirring well to avoid lumps. Stir in a dollop of margarine until completely melted. Allow the cream to cool, then add the remaining margarine a little at a time, mixing with the mixer on high speed to a creamy consistency. Finally, add the rum essence, adjusting to taste.

ASSEMBLY: When the cake has cooled completely, carefully cut it into three equal sheets. Each sheet will be folded to add moisture and flavor. You can use a simple syrup of water and sugar, to which you can also add a little rum essence for a more intense flavor. Place a sheet of the pastry on the plate, spread a generous layer of cream, then press down gently to stick. Continue with the other sheets, alternating between the tops and the cream. At the end, cover the whole cake with a layer of chocolate icing, allowing it to set. You can garnish the cake with fresh fruit, grated chocolate or nuts to taste. Savor this delicious treat with friends and family, enjoying every bite!