Chocolate cake

Chocolate cake - a decadent delight for sweet lovers

Preparation time: 30 minutes
Baking time: 45 minutes
Total time: 3 hours and 15 minutes (including cooling)
Number of servings: 12

Discover a simple and quick chocolate cake recipe that will turn any occasion into an unforgettable moment. This cake is perfect for chocolate lovers, thanks to its moist texture and intense flavor. Follow the detailed steps below and enjoy a special dessert!

Ingredients needed:
For the cake base:
- 5 large eggs
- 2 additional egg whites
- 120 ml milk
- 50 ml oil (sunflower or olive)
- 150 g sugar
- 150 g flour
- 30 g dark cocoa (for an intense taste)
- 10 g baking powder
- A drop of vanilla essence (to add flavor)

For the cream:
- 250 g butter (at room temperature)
- 150 g dark chocolate
- 100 g milk chocolate
- 150 g hazelnut cream (finetti or nutella)
- 100 ml liquid cream

For the glaze:
- 120 g dark chocolate
- 50 g butter
- 50 ml liquid cream or milk

For decoration:
- Fresh raspberries or strawberries
- Grated white chocolate
- Chocolate candies

Step by step:

1. Preheat the oven: Start by preheating the oven to 180 degrees Celsius. This step is essential to ensure even baking of the cake.

2. Preparing the base:
- Separate the eggs, placing the egg whites in a large bowl and the yolks in another bowl.
- Beat the egg whites with a pinch of salt until stiff peaks form. This step will help the base to be airy and fluffy.
- In the bowl with the yolks, add the sugar and mix until creamy. Incorporate the milk and oil, mixing well.
- In another bowl, sift the flour, cocoa, and baking powder, mixing them well.
- Add the dry mixture to the wet mixture, carefully folding it together. Then, gently fold in the beaten egg whites, being careful not to deflate the mixture.

3. Baking the bases:
- Line a rectangular baking dish (30x22 cm) with parchment paper and pour in the batter.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 45 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- After baking, let the cake cool in the oven with the door slightly ajar to avoid a sudden temperature change.

4. Preparing the cream:
- Break the chocolate into pieces and melt it in a double boiler. Let it cool slightly.
- Beat the butter with powdered sugar until creamy. Add the hazelnut cream and melted chocolate, mixing well.
- Gradually incorporate the liquid cream while continuing to mix until you achieve a homogeneous mixture.

5. Assembling the cake:
- Cut the base into three horizontal layers: the top layer, half of the prepared cream, the middle layer, the remaining cream, and the last layer.
- Place the cake in the fridge for at least 3 hours to set well.

6. Preparing the glaze:
- In a double boiler, melt the dark chocolate together with the liquid cream and butter. Let the glaze cool slightly before pouring it over the cake.

7. Decorating:
- Cut the cake into slices and pour the liquid glaze over each slice, allowing it to drip over the edges.
- Decorate with fresh raspberries or strawberries, grated white chocolate, and chocolate candies for a festive touch.

Serving suggestion: This chocolate cake can be served with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a caramel sauce for a delicious contrast.

Possible variations: You can experiment by adding nuts, pistachios, or even dried fruits to the batter for a crunchy texture.

Enjoy this quick and simple dessert, perfect for any occasion, and savor every bite!