Chef John's Chocolate Decadence

Valentines's Day - Holidays and Events

This 'flourless' chocolate cake was all the rage in the 1980s. As I vaguely remember, the decade celebrated decadent overindulgence and this dessert is that and more. By modern standards, this cake is ridiculously rich. In fact, some of you may find it too intense, but most true chocolate fiends will be in heaven. Serve with ice-cold fresh raspberry sauce.

Brief

Prep 15 mins

Cook: 15 mins

Additional: 1hr30 mins

Total: 2hrs

Servings: 12

Yield: 1 9-inch cake

Chef John's Chocolate Decadence

Ingredients

18 ounces semisweet chocolate

chopped

10 tablespoons unsalted butter

5 large eggs

at room temperature

4 teaspoons white sugar

4 teaspoons all-purpose flour

1 pinch cayenne pepper

1 pinch salt

Traditional Layered French Croissants

Holidays and Events

Directions

Step 1

Preheat oven to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C). Butter and flour a 9-inch cake pan.

Step 2

Melt semisweet chocolate and unsalted butter together in the top of a double boiler over simmering water stirring frequently and scraping down the sides with a rubber spatula until chocolate and butter are completely melted and combined. Remove from heat.

Step 3

Beat eggs and sugar together in a bowl with a whisk or an electric mixer until pale and very thick 5 to 10 minutes. Sift in flour cayenne and salt; whisk to combine.

Step 4

Pour 1/4 of the egg mixture into chocolate mixture; stir to combine. Pour chocolate mixture into remaining egg mixture and stir until cake batter is combined. Pour batter into prepared cake pan.

Step 5

Bake in the preheated oven until just barely set with a jiggle below the surface 14 to 15 minutes. Cool to room temperature wrap in aluminum foil and refrigerate until chilled at least 1 hour.

Nutritional Information

Chef John's Chocolate Decadence

Servings Per Recipe:12

Calories: 333.2

% Daily Value *

Protein: 5.8g 12%

Carbohydrates: 26.2g 9%

Dietary Fiber: 3g 12%

Sugars: 22.6g

Fat: 25.2g 39%

Saturated Fat: 14.2g 71%

Cholesterol: 102.9mg 34%

Vitamin A Iu: 404.1IU 8%

Niacin Equivalents: 0.7mg 5%

Folate: 11.8mcg 3%

Calcium: 14.1mg 1%

Iron: 2.6mg 14%

Magnesium: 3mg 1%

Potassium: 32.1mg 1%

Sodium: 43.4mg 2%

Calories From Fat: 226.6

*Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

**Nutrient information is not available for all ingredients. Amount is based on available nutrient data.

(-)Nutrition information is provided for reference only. If you are following a medically restrictive diet, please consult your doctor or registered dietitian before preparing this recipe for personal consumption.