Dessert cake with ladyfingers, chocolate cream, and nuts

Ladyfinger Cake with Chocolate Cream and Nuts – a refined, decadent, no-bake dessert, perfect for impressing on any occasion! This recipe comes with a story, a touch of elegance, and a texture that will delight your senses. Whether it's for an anniversary, a gathering with friends, or simply a day when you want to treat yourself, this cake is the ideal choice. Let's embark on the adventure of making this ladyfinger dessert!

Preparation Time: 30 minutes
Chilling Time: 2-3 hours
Total Time: 3-3.5 hours
Servings: 10-12

Ingredients

For the cream:
- 300 ml heavy cream
- 100 g dark chocolate
- 200 g milk chocolate
- 8 tablespoons sugar
- 2 packets vanilla sugar

For assembly:
- 200 g ladyfingers
- 300 ml water
- 3 tablespoons cocoa powder
- 200 g roasted walnuts, broken into small pieces
- sweetened weak coffee (for soaking the ladyfingers)

For the cake coating:
- 300 ml unsweetened liquid cream

For decoration:
- coconut flakes
- cocoa powder
- pieces of ladyfingers dipped in caramelized sugar

Brief Introduction

Ladyfinger cake has become a favorite in many households due to its simplicity and incredible taste. This recipe was inspired by Timea, and I sincerely thank her for this delicacy! Our cake is a perfect blend of sweet and bitter, thanks to the chocolate and crunchy nuts, while the ladyfingers provide a light and fluffy texture.

Step by Step

1. Preparing the Chocolate Cream

To start, we’ll prepare the delicious chocolate cream. In a saucepan, add the heavy cream, sugar, and vanilla sugar. Place the saucepan over medium heat and stir gently. It's important not to let the cream boil too much – wait until it’s nearly boiling, then turn off the heat.

Helpful Tip: Use a silicone spatula to stir, to prevent the cream from sticking to the bottom of the saucepan.

Now add the two types of chocolate, broken into small pieces. Stir well until the chocolate is completely melted and the cream becomes smooth and glossy. Let the cream cool to room temperature, then refrigerate for about 15-20 minutes.

2. Assembling the Cake

While the cream cools, let’s focus on assembling the cake. Line a loaf pan (or a similar mold) with plastic wrap, making sure to leave enough overhang on the edges to close the cake later.

In a deep plate, prepare the sweetened weak coffee. This will give the ladyfingers a wonderful flavor and make them softer. Quickly dip the ladyfingers in the coffee, being careful not to soak them too much to prevent them from falling apart.

Place a first layer of ladyfingers at the bottom of the mold, then add a layer of chocolate cream, followed by a layer of walnuts. Continue with another layer of ladyfingers, cream, and nuts. Finish with a final layer of ladyfingers.

Tip: If you like, you can add a splash of coffee liqueur to the coffee for a sophisticated touch.

Once you’ve finished assembling the cake, cover it with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 2-3 hours, so the cream sets well.

3. Decorating the Cake

After the chilling time is up, it's time to take the cake out of the refrigerator. Carefully invert the cake onto a serving platter, removing the plastic wrap.

In a bowl, whip the liquid cream until it becomes firm. Now it’s time to coat the cake with cream, creating a smooth and appetizing surface.

For a final touch, decorate the cake with cocoa powder, coconut flakes, and pieces of ladyfingers dipped in caramelized sugar. The latter will add a crunchy texture and a pleasing contrast of flavors.

Serving Suggestions

This ladyfinger cake pairs perfectly with a cup of coffee or a glass of sweet wine. You can also serve it alongside vanilla ice cream for a delicious contrast, or with a berry sauce for a fresh note.

Nutritional Benefits

This cake is a good source of energy thanks to the chocolate and nuts, which contain antioxidants and healthy fats. Nuts are also rich in protein, vitamins, and minerals. Although it’s a dessert, this cake can be enjoyed in moderation, considering its natural ingredients.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can I use a different type of chocolate?
Absolutely! You can experiment with white chocolate or even fruit-flavored chocolate, depending on your preferences.

2. How can I make the cake less sweet?
Reduce the amount of sugar in the cream or use chocolate with a higher cocoa content.

3. Is it possible to use a different type of nut?
Of course! You can use almonds, hazelnuts, or cashews, depending on your taste.

Interesting Variations

To give a personal touch to your cake, you can add a teaspoon of vanilla extract or a bit of rum essence to the cream. Additionally, you can incorporate dried fruits or caramel pieces into the layers of nuts to create a more interesting texture.

I hope this recipe inspires you to delight your friends and family with an extraordinary dessert! Enjoy every slice of ladyfinger cake with chocolate cream and nuts, and don’t forget to share the joy with your loved ones! Bon appétit!