Chocolate Cake ( Schokoladenkuchen)

I have been searching for a chocolate cake recipe for a long time. I wanted a rich, European-style cake with chocolate as the main flavor. Every bite should be a moment of pure bliss and joy. I was looking for a simple cake without frosting or glaze. Eventually, I chose a recipe from Lia Linster, a Michelin-starred chef from Luxembourg. I found the recipe in a German book that she co-wrote with a doctor and an evolutionary biologist who is a professor of Molecular Biology at the University of Heidelberg. I love the title of the book, "Carrots Love Butter" (Karotten Lieben Butter). This book discusses the importance of reviving good cuisine and learning to enjoy traditionally cooked dishes without guilt. This is right up my alley. I believe that eating should be a pleasurable experience, and that's excactly what this book is all about. Trust me when say that indulging in this cake is an absolute delight. 

This is not your typical chocolate cake with frosting, the ones my husband likes. He compared this cake to a brownie and wasn't crazy about it, but he managed to eat the last piece, which I had saved. Small pieces or even slivers of this cake will satisfy your sweet tooth. I baked this cake for my German friends, who I invited to our yearly feast of Königsberger Kloopse (meatballs in a tangy white sauce) We had a lot of fun drinking champagne and enjoying our meal. I served the cake with soft whipped cream, which I flavored with maple syrup . The next day I decided to serve it with whipped cream and raspberry sauce. Click here for the raspberry sauce recipe.

This cake serves small portions and will feed a crowd; you will have 12 regular pieces. My cake lasted a few days on my kitchen counter, during which time I satisfied all my sweet cravings with a little sliver here and there.

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Remember to take the butter out the night before; it needs to be very soft. I also let the eggs sit out to reach room temperature. I splurged on good chocolate, buying Valrhona 70% dark chocolate, which I believe makes all the difference in this cake. I ground the almonds in a food processor. This is an easy cake to bake.
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Ingredients:
7 ounces ( 200g) 70%dark chocolate
6 eggs at room temperature
9 ounces (250g) sugar
4.5 ounces (125g) ground almonds 
9 ounces (250g) soft butter
3.5 ounces (100) g flour sifted
A pinch of salt

Directions:
Grind the almonds in a food processor until they are very fine
Prepare a  9-11 inch cake pan with a removable buttom by buttering it, then add some flour. Shake off all excess flour. 
Melt the chocolate in a warm water bath. Separate the eggs and beat the egg whites with two ounces (50g) of sugar and a pinch of salt. I always beat the egg whites first because I use the same mixer (KitchenAid) for the cake. Place the beaten egg whites in a bowl to use later.
Beat the egg yolks with the remaining 7 ounces (200g) of sugar for about three minutes until all the sugar dissolves and the mixture turns pale. Then, stir in the melted chocolate, ground almonds, and softened butter. Once well mixed, gently fold in the sifted flour. Carefully fold in the egg whites with a spatula. 
Pour the batter into the prepared cake pan. Bake for about 40 minutes. Insert a toothpick in the middle of the cake to test for doneness. 
Place the baked cake on a rack to cool, then dust it with dark cocoa powder before serving. I served my cake with semi-stiff whipped cream flavored with maple syrup and raspberry sauce. 

Guten Appetit! 
Recipe from Lia Linster from the book Karotten Lieben Butter
Adapted and translated by the sunnycovechef.com

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Here is a chcocolate tart I posted in 2014. It has a buttery crust with an orange flavored chocolate ganache.
​ Click here for the recipe.

Here is a recipe for a walnut pie, which is more like a German chocolate tart. I shared this recipe back in 2013. I made it for my mother's birthday in Germany and it received great revies.
​Click here for the recipe

If you are looking for a special meal to please your loved one on Valentine's Day or any other occasion , try this scallop dish. It will make you look like a gourmet cook.
Click for the reipe here.