Cake "Black's Teeth" - A Delicacy with a Story
Today we celebrate not only 4 years of marriage but also the 200th recipe among all those dear to my soul. It is a special cake brought into my life by my friend from Bacau, Cristina, who captivated me with its unmistakable taste. This cake is more than just a simple dessert; it is an invitation to a memorable culinary experience, with a meringue glaze that coats a moist and aromatic base. To give it a personal touch, I added a cherry syrup that brings incredible freshness.
Preparation time: 40 minutes
Baking time: 25 minutes
Cooling time: 2 hours
Number of servings: 12
Ingredients
For the base:
- 2 egg yolks
- 75 g butter or margarine
- 100 g sugar
- 15 g cocoa
- 100 g flour
- 100 ml milk
- 5 g baking powder (about 1/2 packet)
For the glaze:
- 2 egg whites
- 125 g sugar
- a pinch of salt
- 1/2 teaspoon cornstarch (optional)
- thick cherry syrup (juice from the jam)
My tip: Make sure all ingredients are at room temperature before you start preparing. This will help with better homogenization of the mixture.
How to prepare the base
1. Start by preheating the oven to 180 degrees Celsius. This step is essential for ensuring an even baking of the base.
2. In a large bowl, cream the butter with the sugar until the mixture becomes creamy and fluffy. It is important to invest time in this step, as the incorporated air will make the base fluffy.
3. Add the egg yolks, cocoa, milk, flour, and baking powder. Mix well until you obtain a homogeneous mixture. Make sure there are no lumps of flour. If you like, you can use a mixer to facilitate the process.
4. Line a 24x15 cm baking tray with parchment paper and pour the batter into the tray. Level the surface to have an even base.
5. Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes or until it passes the toothpick test. This means that when you insert a toothpick into the center of the base, it should come out clean.
6. After removing the tray from the oven, let the base cool in the tray for a few minutes, then transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely.
How to prepare the glaze
1. In a pot, bring water to a boil. Make sure you have a smaller bowl that fits on top of the pot, thus forming a steam bath. This step is crucial for achieving a perfect meringue.
2. In the bowl above, add the egg whites and a pinch of salt. Start mixing at medium speed.
3. As the egg whites begin to foam, gradually add the sugar, continuing to mix for about 10 minutes. The meringue is ready when it becomes stiff and glossy.
4. If you like, add the cornstarch in the last minutes of mixing. This will help stabilize the meringue.
5. Once the base has cooled, pour the meringue glaze over it, leveling it evenly. Add the cherry syrup here and there, then use a toothpick to draw circles in the glaze, creating an attractive pattern.
6. Let the cake sit at room temperature for about 2 hours, so the meringue firms up a bit.
7. Portion and serve with joy! This cake is perfect to be enjoyed alongside a cup of coffee or a fragrant tea.
Calories and nutritional benefits
This cake has about 200 calories per serving, depending on the exact ingredients used. It is a good source of energy due to the sugar and fats from the butter, but remember that moderation is key in any diet. The cocoa also adds an intake of antioxidants, and the cherry syrup can bring some heart health benefits.
Possible variations
If you want to experiment with this recipe, here are a few suggestions:
- Replace cocoa with carob powder for a caffeine-free version.
- You can add some chopped nuts to the batter for a crunchy texture.
- Instead of cherry syrup, try using strawberry or raspberry jam for a different flavor.
Frequently asked questions
1. Can I use margarine instead of butter?
Yes, margarine can be used, but the final taste will be slightly different.
2. How can I tell if the meringue is ready?
The meringue is ready when it becomes stiff and glossy, and when you turn it over, it should stay in the bowl without dripping.
3. What should I do if the meringue does not firm up?
Make sure the bowl and utensils are completely clean and free of grease, and that the egg whites are very fresh.
This "Black's Teeth" cake is not just a simple recipe, but a symbol of love, memories, and joy. Enjoy every bite and share it with your loved ones!
Today we celebrate not only 4 years of marriage but also the 200th recipe among all those dear to my soul. It is a special cake brought into my life by my friend from Bacau, Cristina, who captivated me with its unmistakable taste. This cake is more than just a simple dessert; it is an invitation to a memorable culinary experience, with a meringue glaze that coats a moist and aromatic base. To give it a personal touch, I added a cherry syrup that brings incredible freshness.
Preparation time: 40 minutes
Baking time: 25 minutes
Cooling time: 2 hours
Number of servings: 12
Ingredients
For the base:
- 2 egg yolks
- 75 g butter or margarine
- 100 g sugar
- 15 g cocoa
- 100 g flour
- 100 ml milk
- 5 g baking powder (about 1/2 packet)
For the glaze:
- 2 egg whites
- 125 g sugar
- a pinch of salt
- 1/2 teaspoon cornstarch (optional)
- thick cherry syrup (juice from the jam)
My tip: Make sure all ingredients are at room temperature before you start preparing. This will help with better homogenization of the mixture.
How to prepare the base
1. Start by preheating the oven to 180 degrees Celsius. This step is essential for ensuring an even baking of the base.
2. In a large bowl, cream the butter with the sugar until the mixture becomes creamy and fluffy. It is important to invest time in this step, as the incorporated air will make the base fluffy.
3. Add the egg yolks, cocoa, milk, flour, and baking powder. Mix well until you obtain a homogeneous mixture. Make sure there are no lumps of flour. If you like, you can use a mixer to facilitate the process.
4. Line a 24x15 cm baking tray with parchment paper and pour the batter into the tray. Level the surface to have an even base.
5. Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes or until it passes the toothpick test. This means that when you insert a toothpick into the center of the base, it should come out clean.
6. After removing the tray from the oven, let the base cool in the tray for a few minutes, then transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely.
How to prepare the glaze
1. In a pot, bring water to a boil. Make sure you have a smaller bowl that fits on top of the pot, thus forming a steam bath. This step is crucial for achieving a perfect meringue.
2. In the bowl above, add the egg whites and a pinch of salt. Start mixing at medium speed.
3. As the egg whites begin to foam, gradually add the sugar, continuing to mix for about 10 minutes. The meringue is ready when it becomes stiff and glossy.
4. If you like, add the cornstarch in the last minutes of mixing. This will help stabilize the meringue.
5. Once the base has cooled, pour the meringue glaze over it, leveling it evenly. Add the cherry syrup here and there, then use a toothpick to draw circles in the glaze, creating an attractive pattern.
6. Let the cake sit at room temperature for about 2 hours, so the meringue firms up a bit.
7. Portion and serve with joy! This cake is perfect to be enjoyed alongside a cup of coffee or a fragrant tea.
Calories and nutritional benefits
This cake has about 200 calories per serving, depending on the exact ingredients used. It is a good source of energy due to the sugar and fats from the butter, but remember that moderation is key in any diet. The cocoa also adds an intake of antioxidants, and the cherry syrup can bring some heart health benefits.
Possible variations
If you want to experiment with this recipe, here are a few suggestions:
- Replace cocoa with carob powder for a caffeine-free version.
- You can add some chopped nuts to the batter for a crunchy texture.
- Instead of cherry syrup, try using strawberry or raspberry jam for a different flavor.
Frequently asked questions
1. Can I use margarine instead of butter?
Yes, margarine can be used, but the final taste will be slightly different.
2. How can I tell if the meringue is ready?
The meringue is ready when it becomes stiff and glossy, and when you turn it over, it should stay in the bowl without dripping.
3. What should I do if the meringue does not firm up?
Make sure the bowl and utensils are completely clean and free of grease, and that the egg whites are very fresh.
This "Black's Teeth" cake is not just a simple recipe, but a symbol of love, memories, and joy. Enjoy every bite and share it with your loved ones!