Julia Child's Chocolate Cake

By Jackie618

Ingredients

• For the cake:
• 4 ounces semi-sweet chocolate
• 2 Tbsp dark rum
• 1 stick butter, softened
• 2/3 cup sugar
• 3 egg yolks
• 3 egg whites
• Pinch of salt
• 1 Tbsp sugar
• 1/3 cup almonds, pulverized
• 1/4 tsp almond extract
• 3/4 cup flour, sifted
• For the icing:
• 4 ounces semi-sweet chocolate
• 6 Tbsp butter

Details

Adapted from blog.womenshealthmag.com

Preparation

Step 1

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Butter and flour an 8-inch and 1 1/2-inch diameter round cake pan.

2. Melt the chocolate over a double boiler* with the rum. Make sure not to burn the chocolate! Set aside once the chocolate is uniformly smooth.

3. Cream the butter and sugar until fluffy. Then beat in the egg yolks until well blended.

4. Beat the egg whites in a separate bowl with the salt until soft peaks form. Then sprinkle in the sugar, and beat until stiff peaks form.

5. With a rubber spatula, blend the melted chocolate into the butter and sugar mixture. Then add the almonds and almond extract.

6. Immediately stir in one-fourth of the egg whites to the butter and sugar to lighten the batter. Then delicately fold in a third of the remaining egg whites. Then fold in the flour and remaining egg whites intermittently.

7. Pour the batter in the pan and tilt the pan so the sides are covered in batter, which will ensure an evenly baked cake. Bake for about 25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the outer rim of the cake comes out clean, but the center is still most and pulls a slightly messy toothpick.

*Take a saucepan of simmering water and place a stainless steel bowl of chocolate over the water and continuously stir until the chocolate is completely melted and smooth.

icing:
1. Melt the chocolate over a double-boiler.

2. Beat in the butter until it is a thick consistency.

3. Once the frosting has slightly cooled, spread it over the cake, and decorate with whole or sliced almonds.