somewhere along the line
I’m not sure when it happened, but somewhere along the line, I developed sort of a thing for flourless (or nearly flourless) chocolate cakes. And, of course, they’re not all that hard to love. They’re lovably easy (the most complicated recipes call for a double boiler, which I consider a small price to pay). They’re lovably decadent—dark, fudgy, dense and rich. And, best of all, I think, they’re lovably ugly. They puff up in the oven and exhale as they cool, resulting in a rather undulating, mottled cake. If you’re concerned that guests will pass up such a homely specimen, a sprinkling of powdered sugar—a little bit like lipstick on a pig—will do just the trick.
As far as these cakes go, I’m quite partial to Molly’s Winning Hearts and Minds Cake—a nearly flourless choccolate cake that is, I assure you, aptly named. I’ve made it for holidays and parties and for a winter Saturday night in. It’s equally at home in each of these occasions and that’s another thing I love about it. Most recently, I served it at a going away party for our friends Matt and Maggie. It was still summer, then, so I served the slices with fresh berries and a spoonful of just-sweetened sour cream (don’t knock it ’till you try it!).
Matt and Maggie were in town again last weekend, which, come to think of it, might have been what triggered my urge to make a flourless chocolate cake again over the weekend. But, with temperatures dipping and the leaves all but blown away and the specter of Halloween hovering in the air, I was in the mood for heat.
A quick web search turned up Elise‘s recipe for Chipotle Flourless Chocolate Cake. Perfect.
This cake, like all the flourless chocolate cakes I’ve made before it and all those that I’ll make after it, comes together in no time and with the help of a very terse list of ingredients: eggs (our neighborhood market has been selling farm-fresh, organic eggs—in varying hues of brown and cream—by the dozen, and it makes me so happy); chopped dark chocolate (mmmmmm); the better part of a stick of sweet butter, chilled and diced; sugar (of course); salt (which reminds me of an astoundingly good ice cream I had recently—salted chocolate with marcona almonds, but I digress); and spices—cinnamon, chipotle chili powder and cayenne, warm and toasty all.
Elise describes the cake’s spice as a “slow burn,” and her description nails it. It’s the kind of heat that cozies up to the chocolate richness, rather than overwhelming it. So it’s still the flourless chocolate cake I love, just with a little twist.
Now that this cake is baked and the better part of it has been eaten, I can think of nothing other than Thanksgiving cooking and baking. If you find yourself in the same boat, check out the new Thanksgiving Recipe Index in the left-hand column.
The recipe for this Chipotle Flourless Chocolate Cake, courtesy of Elise at Simply Recipes, is here.
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Molly’s “Hearts and Minds Cake” has completely ruined all other *nearly* flourless cakes for me. It is absolute perfection; cracks and all.
I can’t wait to try this recipe!
Flourless chocolate cakes are my kryptonite.
Can you believe that Ive never made a flourless chocolate cake? But one with chipotle chili powder. I’m there.
Hope you are having a lovely week.
Lipstick on a pig! LOLLLL
I don’t consider these cakes ugly. They are pretty in their own unique way. The dusting of icing sugar surely helps though!
Magda
I’ve never tried making a flourless cake. I’m not a big fan of regular cake, so I’m tempted to give this a try!
flourless chocolate cakes are indescribably amazing and fudgey and delicious. adding chipotle must elevate it to a whole other level. can’t wait to try this!
I haven’t made a flourless chocolate cake either – although i should since they seem like nothing less than a perfect dessert. the chipotle really seals the deal here, i think
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My middle son adores these flourless cakes! Going to make this one for him. So dark and dense. YUM!
This sounds incredible!!! I love chocolate & spicy combinations!
Cheers! Leslie
Mmmm….
Your pictures are gorgeous and the cake looks scrumptious.
Your photography is beautiful as always and that cake looks yummy!
This looks so good! I adore flourless chocolate cakes and I’m always looking for new recipes! Thanks for this
Hip, hip for all the flourless chocolate cake love! And, for those of you have yet to make one, hop to it!
Oh, no I know all about the yumminess of barely sweetened sour cream. Lovely idea topping your cake with it. Cuts the richness of the chocolate.
~ingrid
my mother is having a dinner party this weekeend and i am designated cake baker…looks like this is going to be the one to steal the show.
will definitely have to make some raspberry coulis to drizzle all over this bad boy though.
I love the crackly tops flourless chocolate cakes usually seem to have. This looks dark and delicious – just the way it should be!
That cake looks delicious, home-y cakes are the best!! Did you like this one better than Molly’s?
I’m so glad you blogged this, because otherwise I wouldn’t have found it! Making it this weekend for my BF’s birthday. Also, just a quick note…this recipe is found on Elise’s blog, but the post with this cake is from David, of Vanilla Garlic. His blog is incredible as well. : -)
[...] in point. I made this chipotle flourless chocolate cake twice last week (which I found over at the Kitchen Sink). Once for Felicia’s 30th birthday party. It was a hit there by the way, gone before I could [...]
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