Ingredients
8 ounces (2 1/2 cups) blanched, sliced almonds- 8 ounces high-quality semi-sweet chocolate (Use a chocolate graded 70%)
- 1 cup sugar, divided
- 1/2 cup high-quality cocoa powder
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 tsp fine sea salt
- 1/2 tsp almond extract (or 1 tsp vanilla)
- 7 large eggs, room temperature, separated
- Powdered sugar for dusting (optional)
Method
Heat the oven to 300F (160 C).
Spread the almonds onto a shallow baking dish and toast, shaking the pan occasionally, until the almonds are light brown, about 15 minutes. Cool completely. Raise the heat to 350F (175C).
Butter and flour a 9-inch springform pan. Melt the chocolate in the top of a double boiler over simmering water. Cool slightly. (Note: Never melt chocolate over direct heat.)
Grind the almonds with one-half cup sugar in a blender or food processor to make a fine meal. Combine with the cocoa powder, mixing well. Set aside.
Using an electric mixer, cream the butter until light. Beat in the remaining sugar, add the salt and extract, scraping down the sides as needed.
Beat the egg yolks in one at a time. Using a rubber spatula or wooden spoon, stir in the melted chocolate, then the almond-cocoa mixture, mixing well.
In a clean bowl with clean beaters, beat the egg whites until soft peaks form. Stir about a third of the whites into the chocolate mixture, then gently but thoroughly fold in the remainder. Spread into the prepared pan. Gently bang the cake pan on the counter once to release air bubbles.
Bake 1 hour. Transfer to a rack and cool 20 minutes. Unmold onto a serving plate so the bottom faces up and cool completely.
Serve the almond chocolate flourless cake plain or with a dusting of powdered sugar.
Almond Chocolate Flourless Cake
Ingredients
- 8 ounces 2 1/2 cups blanched, sliced almonds
- 8 ounces high-quality semi-sweet chocolate Use a chocolate graded 70%
- 1 cup sugar divided
- 1/2 cup high-quality cocoa powder
- 1 cup 2 sticks unsalted butter, softened
- 1 tsp fine sea salt
- 1/2 tsp almond extract or 1 tsp vanilla
- 7 large eggs room temperature, separated
- Powdered sugar for dusting optional
Instructions
- Heat the oven to 300F (160 C).
- Spread the almonds onto a shallow baking dish and toast, shaking the pan occasionally, until the almonds are light brown, about 15 minutes. Cool completely. Raise the heat to 350F (175C).
- Butter and flour a 9-inch springform pan. Melt the chocolate in the top of a double boiler over simmering water. Cool slightly. (Note: Never melt chocolate over direct heat.)
- Grind the almonds with one-half cup sugar in a blender or food processor to make a fine meal. Combine with the cocoa powder, mixing well. Set aside.
- Using an electric mixer, cream the butter until light. Beat in the remaining sugar, add the salt and extract, scraping down the sides as needed.
- Beat the egg yolks in one at a time. Using a rubber spatula or wooden spoon, stir in the melted chocolate, then the almond-cocoa mixture, mixing well.
- In a clean bowl with clean beaters, beat the egg whites until soft peaks form. Stir about a third of the whites into the chocolate mixture, then gently but thoroughly fold in the remainder. Spread into the prepared pan. Gently bang the cake pan on the counter once to release air bubbles.
- Bake 1 hour. Transfer to a rack and cool 20 minutes. Unmold onto a serving plate so the bottom faces up and cool completely.
- Serve the almond chocolate flourless cake plain or with a dusting of powdered sugar.
