Happy Birthday, Dia! Chocolate cake and peaches

Happy birthday, Dia! Today I invite you to prepare together a delicious chocolate and peach cake, a perfect combination of flavors that will win over anyone. Whether it's a special occasion or simply a day when you want to indulge yourself, this cake will surely bring a smile to the faces of your loved ones. Plus, let's enjoy a glass of champagne alongside a slice of this delicacy!

Preparation time: 30 minutes
Baking time: 15 minutes
Cooling time: 12 hours (ideally overnight)
Number of servings: 12

Ingredients for the base:
- 3 eggs
- 4 tablespoons of sugar
- 4 tablespoons of flour

Ingredients for the chocolate cream:
- 150 g of chocolate (choose a quality chocolate with a high cocoa content)
- 150 g of sugar
- 3 egg yolks
- 1 egg white
- 1 packet of vanilla
- 1 packet of gelatin
- 200 ml of liquid cream

Ingredients for the peach yogurt cream:
- 1 jar of peach compote (reserve a few peaches for decoration)
- 200 ml of liquid cream
- 2 packets of gelatin
- 1 large jar (500 g) of peach yogurt

Step-by-step preparation:

1. Base:
- Start by preheating the oven to 180°C. Prepare a 20x20 cm baking dish by greasing it with a little butter and dusting it with flour.
- Separate the eggs. In a bowl, beat the egg yolks with 2 tablespoons of sugar until they become a fluffy cream. It is important for the sugar to dissolve completely.
- In another bowl, beat the egg white with the remaining 2 tablespoons of sugar until you achieve a firm foam. This is a crucial step to obtain a fluffy and light base.
- Gently fold the egg whites into the yolk cream using a spatula, with delicate movements from top to bottom, so as not to lose the air.
- Gradually add the sifted flour, mixing gently.
- Pour the mixture into the dish and bake for 15 minutes or until the base is firm to the touch. Let it cool.

2. Chocolate cream:
- Melt the chocolate in a bain-marie, being careful not to overheat it. Once melted, let it cool slightly.
- Soak the gelatin in 2 tablespoons of cold water.
- Beat the egg yolks with 75 g of sugar until creamy and airy.
- In another bowl, whip the cream until firm.
- Incorporate the gelatin into the melted chocolate (make sure it is not hot, so as not to destroy the gelatin).
- Mix the chocolate cream with the whipped cream, being careful to keep an airy texture.

3. Peach yogurt cream:
- Soak the gelatin in the syrup from the peach compote.
- Whip the cream until firm and mix it with the peach yogurt.
- Heat the gelatin in a bain-marie until it becomes liquid and incorporate it into the yogurt mixture.

4. Assembling the cake:
- Place the cooled base on a serving platter. If desired, you can soak the base with a little syrup from the peach compote for added moisture.
- Add a generous layer of chocolate cream and level it out.
- Place a layer of ladyfingers soaked in peach syrup, then pour the peach yogurt cream on top.
- Cover with another layer of chocolate cream, then with the remaining base. Let it chill in the refrigerator overnight to set.

5. Serving:
- Unmold the cake onto a serving platter. Decorate with whipped cream and peaches from the compote.
- Serve with a glass of champagne to celebrate every moment of life.

Practical tips:
- If you want to experiment, add a little rum or almond essence to the chocolate cream for an even more intense flavor.
- Use chocolate with a high cocoa content for a deeper and more complex taste.
- You can replace the peach yogurt with Greek yogurt for a creamier texture and higher protein content.

Nutritional benefits:
This cake is not only delicious but also offers some nutritional benefits. Peaches are rich in vitamins and antioxidants, and dark chocolate (if chosen) has heart-healthy properties.

Frequently asked questions:
1. Can I use other fruits instead of peaches?
- Of course! Fruits like strawberries, raspberries, or mango work perfectly in this recipe.

2. How can I make the cake gluten-free?
- Replace the flour with a gluten-free option, such as almond flour or rice flour.

3. What can I do with the leftover peaches from the compote?
- Use them to decorate other desserts or add them to a delicious smoothie.

This chocolate and peach cake is more than just a dessert; it's a culinary experience that brings together flavors and beautiful moments. So, get ready to indulge with each slice and celebrate with your loved ones!