March 8 Cake (International Women's Day)

March 8 Cake - A Delight for International Women's Day

Total preparation time: 1 hour
Baking time: 30 minutes
Number of servings: 8

To celebrate March 8th, I created an elegant and delicious cake that will surely impress the women in your life. This simple and quick recipe will result in a fluffy chocolate sponge cake, perfectly moist, dressed in fine and aromatic creams. Let's get to work!

Ingredients for the sponge:
- 5 egg whites
- 3 egg yolks
- 150 g sugar
- 30 g high-quality cocoa powder
- 1 packet of vanilla sugar
- 1/2 packet of baking powder
- 50 ml hot water

Ingredients for the cream:
- 200 ml heavy cream
- 100 g dark chocolate (preferably 70% cocoa)
- 50 g powdered sugar (optional, depending on preferences)

Preparation:

1. Preheat the oven to 180°C. Prepare a 22 cm cake pan lined with parchment paper or greased with butter and dusted with flour to prevent sticking.

2. In a clean bowl, beat the egg whites with a mixer on high speed until stiff peaks form. Adding a pinch of salt can help stabilize the foam.

3. In another bowl, whisk the egg yolks with the sugar until the mixture becomes light in color and creamy. Add the cocoa, vanilla sugar, and baking powder, mixing well until combined.

4. Pour the yolk mixture over the egg whites, taking care to use a spatula to gently fold the ingredients so as not to lose the air in the egg whites. This step is essential for achieving a fluffy sponge, so be gentle in your movements.

5. Finally, add the hot water and mix gently. The batter should be fluid but well combined. Pour the mixture into the prepared pan and bake in the preheated oven for about 30 minutes or until a tester inserted in the center comes out clean.

6. Once the sponge is ready, let it cool completely in the pan, then transfer it to a cake stand.

Preparing the cream:

1. In a bowl, melt the dark chocolate using a double boiler or microwave, being careful not to burn it. Let it cool slightly.

2. In another bowl, whip the heavy cream until firm. You can add powdered sugar if you want a sweeter cream.

3. Gently fold the melted chocolate into the whipped cream, mixing lightly to maintain the airy texture.

Assembling:

1. Cut the sponge into two or three layers, depending on your preference.

2. Spread a generous layer of cream between each layer of sponge, then cover the entire surface of the cake with the remaining cream. You can use a spatula to create a smooth appearance or leave some textures for a rustic look.

3. Decorate the cake with grated chocolate, fresh fruits, or edible flowers for a festive appearance. This detail will add a personal touch and make the cake shine.

Serving suggestion: Serve the cake with a cup of coffee or flavored tea to complement this delight. You can add a small scoop of vanilla ice cream on the plate for a contrast of textures and flavors.

Healthy option: You can replace some of the sugar with natural sweeteners, such as honey or maple syrup, to create a less sweet but equally tasty cake.

Now you are ready to prepare this delicious March 8 cake! It is a simple recipe but with an impressive result that will bring smiles to the faces of your loved ones. Bon appétit!