Tuesdays with Dorie - Almost Fudge Gâteau

I've been lurking on a blog called Tuesdays with Dorie for a few weeks. It's a site where a group of bakers take one recipe per week from Baking by Dorie Greenspan, bake it, then blog about it on Tuesdays. Totally adorable, right?

I've been patiently waiting for my book to arrive from Amazon and I seriously squeeled when it finally came. What is up with the free shipping taking so long to get here. Seriously, do they send your book 'round the world first? But, I digress.

This week's recipe was chosen by dear friend and fellow knottie, Nikki of Crazy Delicious. I've called her at least three times needing last minute cooking/baking advice so I knew whatever she chose would be excellent but also a good challenge for me.

When I flipped the book to page 218, I let out an "uh-oh" as my one and only springform pan was MIA. I'd searched the house for it recently when the mood struck me to make a cheesecake. So, after a quick Google search, I was off to Bed, Bath & Beyond for a new springform. I picked up some extra parchment, just in case, while I was there.


After a quick stop at the store for cream and chocolate, I came home and dug right in. I had already promised the hubs "Amazing Tacos" for dinner since I was off on Monday but thought I could get both done and I did! ::raising roof::


I was pretty nervous about all the double boiling and folding. I'm not exactly sure what folding is but I think it is kind of like enveloping the indrediant gently rather than just stirring it up. Surprisingly, I had no mishaps and the cake turned out AMAZING. The scariest part was flipping it over and I wish someone had taken a picture of me, with oven mitts flipping the cake with the hubs "spotting me". I called him over just for moral support but gave him his own mitts, just in case and he was so sweet to assume the position. Luckily everything turned out just fine.

This cake was sinful! Seriously. It was so rich and chocolatey. The hubs and I aren't huge chocolate fans so one small piece with a scoop of vanilla and we were good. I cut a couple pieces for the chocoholics in my office, a hunk for home (dessert tomorrow) and am sending the rest to work with hubs. His fellow teachers will luv me, I'm sure.


Overall, my first experience with TWD was a great one. I feel so proud that I baked something I can't even pronounce. Who thought this Texas lass gone west could Gâteau with the rest of 'em? I can't wait for next week!

Almost-Fudge Gâteau
5 large eggs
9 ounces bittersweet chocolate, coarsely chopped
1 cup of sugar
5 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into chunks
2 tablespoons coffee or water
1/3 cup all-purpose flour
Pinch of salt

For the Glaze (optional)
4 ounces bittersweet chocolate, coarsely chopped
½ cup heavy cream
2 teaspoons light corn syrup

Getting Ready:
Center a rack in the oven and preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Butter a 9-inch springform pan, line the bottom with parchment paper, butter the paper, dust the inside of the pan with flour and tap out the excess. Place the pan on a baking sheet lined with parchment or a silicone mat.

Separate the eggs, putting the whites in a mixer bowl or other large bowl and the yolks in a small bowl.


Set a heatproof bowl over a saucepan of simmering water and add the chocolate, sugar butter and coffee. Stir occasionally until the chocolate and butter are melted; the sugar may still be grainy, and that's fine. Transfer the bowl to the counter and let the mixture sit for 3 minutes.

Using a rubber spatula, stir in the yolks one by one, then fold in the flour.
Working with the whisk attachment of the mixer or a hand mixer, beat the egg whites with the pinch of salt until they hold firm, but glossy peaks. Using the spatula, stir about one quarter of the beaten whites into the batter, then gently fold in the rest. Scrape the butter into the pan and jiggle the pan from side to side a couple of times to even the batter.

Bake for 35 to 45 minutes, or until the cake has risen evenly (it might rise around the edges and you'll think it's done, but give it a few minutes more, and the center will puff too) and the top has firmed (it will probably be cracked) and doesn't shimmy when tapped; a thin knife inserted into the center should come out just slightly streaked with chocolate. Transfer the pan to a cooling rack and let the cake rest for 5 to 10 minutes.


Run a blunt knife gently around the edges of the cake and remove the sides of the pan. Carefully turn the cake over onto a rack and remove the pan bottom and the parchment paper. Invert the cake onto another rack and cool to room temperature right side up. As the cake cools, it may sink.

To Make the Optional Glaze:
First, turn the cooled cake over onto another rack so you'll be glazing the flat bottom, and place the rack over a baking sheet lined with parchment or wax paper to catch any drips.


Put the chocolate in a small heatproof bowl.
Melt the chocolate over a pan of simmering water or in a microwave oven – the chocolate should be just melted and only warm, not hot. Meanwhile, bring the cream to a boil in a small sauce pan. Pour the hot cream over the chocolate and stir very gently with a rubber spatula until the mixture is smooth and shiny. Stir in the corn syrup.


Pour the glaze over the cake and smooth the top with a long metal icing spatula. Don't worry if the glaze drips unevenly down the sides of the cake – it will just add to its charms. Allow the glaze to set at room temperature or, if you're impatient, slip the cake into the refrigerator for about 20 minutes. If the glaze dulls in the fridge, just give it a little gentle heat from a hairdryer.