chocolate cake

Decadent chocolate cake: a perfect recipe for special moments

If you are looking for a quick dessert that will delight your taste buds, this chocolate cake is the ideal choice. With a fluffy base and filled with a fine cream, this cake is not just a simple dessert, but an unforgettable experience. Whether you want to celebrate a special moment or simply treat yourself, chocolate cake is always a guaranteed success. Let's discover together how to prepare it step by step.

Total preparation time: 1 hour
Baking time: 30 minutes
Number of servings: 10

Ingredients for the batter:
- 6 eggs
- 6 tablespoons of sugar
- 4 tablespoons of flour
- 200 g of walnuts (finely chopped and roasted)
- 4 tablespoons of oil
- 6 tablespoons of cocoa
- 1 teaspoon of baking powder
- 1/2 pinch of salt

Ingredients for the syrup:
- 200 ml of water
- 100 g of sugar
- 1 essence of rum

Ingredients for the cream:
- 200 g of butter (80% fat)
- 200 g of walnuts (chopped and roasted)
- 1 box of 200 g Finetti with cocoa
- Essence of rum

Ingredients for the glaze:
- 200 g of cooking chocolate (melted with 1 tablespoon of water and 1 teaspoon of butter)
- Roasted walnuts (for decoration)
- Whipped cream (for decoration)

Preparation:

1. Preparing the batter: Start by separating the eggs. Beat the egg whites until frothy with the sugar, until you achieve a firm composition and the sugar dissolves completely. This step is essential for obtaining a fluffy base.

2. Adding the yolks: Incorporate the beaten yolks with a pinch of salt into the egg white foam. Use a spatula or a wooden spoon to gently mix, being careful not to destroy the air in the egg whites.

3. Including the dry ingredients: Sift together the flour, cocoa, baking powder, and roasted walnuts. Add the mixture of dry ingredients to the wet composition gradually, mixing with folding movements. This process will preserve the fluffy texture of the batter.

4. Adding the oil: Finally, gradually add the oil while continuing to mix gently. The oil will add moisture and contribute to a soft consistency of the base.

5. Baking: Pour the composition into a 22 cm diameter baking pan, greased with butter or oil and sprinkled with flour. Place the pan in a preheated oven at 180 degrees Celsius and bake for 30 minutes. Check if the base is baked using a toothpick; if it comes out clean, the base is ready.

6. Preparing the syrup: Meanwhile, in a small pot, boil 200 ml of water with 100 g of sugar until the sugar completely dissolves. After the syrup has boiled, add the essence of rum and let it cool.

7. Preparing the cream: In a bowl, mix the warm (but not melted) butter with Finetti and the essence of rum. Add the roasted walnuts, mixing well until you obtain a smooth and fine cream.

8. Assembling the cake: After the base has cooled, cut it with a wide and sharp knife into 4 thin slices. The syrup should be cold, and using a brush, soak each slice of base, being careful not to make it too wet, just enough to give it a delicious taste.

9. Filling the cake: Spread a generous layer of cream on each slice, then stack them on top of each other. After adding all the layers, cover the cake with the remaining cream.

10. The glaze: In a bowl, melt the cooking chocolate with 1 tablespoon of water and 1 teaspoon of butter. Mix well until the composition becomes smooth. Pour the glaze over the cake and decorate with large chopped roasted walnuts and whipped cream.

11. Cooling: Place the cake in the refrigerator for a few hours or, ideally, overnight, to firm up and infuse the flavors.

Practical tip: If you want to add a touch of freshness, you can include a layer of fresh berries or a few slices of banana between the cream layers.

Nutritional benefits: The chocolate cake can be a delicious choice, but remember that it is high in calories. A serving contains about 420 calories but also provides essential nutrients from walnuts and chocolate, such as antioxidants and healthy fatty acids.

Gluten-free option: You can replace the flour with a gluten-free flour mix, and the cake will remain just as delicious.

Frequently asked questions:

- Can I use another type of chocolate for the glaze? Yes, you can use dark chocolate or white chocolate, depending on your preferences.

- How can I enhance the flavor of the cake? You can add a pinch of instant coffee to the cocoa mixture for a more intense taste.

- Is it possible to turn the cake into a birthday cake? Sure! Decorate it with candles, and you'll have a perfect cake to celebrate.

This chocolate cake, with layers of delicious cream and a rich glaze, will not only impress your guests but will leave a pleasant memory on everyone's lips. Whether you serve it with a scoop of ice cream or with a fragrant coffee, each slice will be an explosion of flavor. Enjoy!