Chocolate Chocolate Pudding Cake with Chocolate Ganache

Ingredients

• For the Cake
• 8 eggs
• 1 cup plus 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
• 1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 cup bleached all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 3/4 cup Grand Marnier or other orange-flavored liqueur
• For the Pudding
• 4 cups heavy cream
• 1/2 cup cornstarch
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 5 ounces semisweet chocolate chips
• 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
• For the Ganache
• 2 cups heavy cream
• 1/2 pound semisweet chocolate squares, chopped
• For the Garnish or Decoration of Cake
• 11 ounces semisweet chocolate chips
• confectioners sugar

Directions

TIP: Tempering is a technique by which chocolate is stabilized through a melting and cooling process, thereby making it more malleable and glossy. Tempering chocolate isn't necessary for most recipes, but it is often done when the chocolate is used for icing a cake such as this one.

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

For the Cake
2. Put the eggs and 1 cup of the sugar in a large mixing bowl, and with an electric mixer fitted with a wire whisk beat on medium-high speed until the mixture is pale yellow, thick and has tripled in volume, about 8 minutes, using the mixer.

3. Sift the cocoa, flour and baking powder together in another large mixing bowl. Add the egg mixture and fold to mix thoroughly so the mixture is smooth.

4. Grease two 9-x-2-inch round cake pans with the butter. Sprinkle each with a tablespoon of the remaining sugar. Pour the cake batter evenly into the pans and bake until the cakes spring back when touched, about 25 minutes.

5. Let cool for about two minutes. Using a thin knife, loosen the edges of the cakes, then flip onto a wire rack. Let cool completely.

For the Pudding
6. Combine 1/2 cup of the cream with the cornstarch in a small bowl and stir to make a paste. Combine the paste with the remaining 3 1/2 cups cream, the sugar, the chocolate chips and the vanilla in a large nonstick saucepan. Using a wire whisk, stir the mixture until it is well blended. Put the saucepan over medium-low heat and whisk constantly until the chocolate melts thoroughly. Cook the mixture, stirring often, until it becomes very thick, like pudding, about 25 minutes. Pour the mixture into a bowl. Cover with plastic wrap, pressing the wrap down on the surface of the pudding to keep a skin from forming. Let cool to room temperature.

To Assemble the Cake
7. Line a baking pan with parchment or waxed paper and place a wire rack over it. Using a serrated knife, cut each cake in half horizontally. Brush the tops of three layers each with 1/4 cup of the Grand Marnier. Place the bottom layer on a 9-inch round of cardboard and set it on the wire rack. Spread 1 1/2 cups of the pudding evenly on top of the layer. Top with a second layer of cake. Spread 1 1/2 cups of pudding evenly over it. Repeat the same process with the third layer. Top with the fourth layer. If necessary, shave off any uneven pieces of cake with a serrated knife so that it is smooth and even on all sides. Chill for 2 hours.

To Make the Ganache
8. Combine the cream and chopped chocolate in a medium-size nonstick saucepan over medium heat. Stir until the chocolate is completely melted and the mixture is smooth. Remove from the heat and stir to cool, lifting the mixture out of the pot several times with a rubber spatula or wooden spoon until it cools slightly. It should be glossy and slightly thick. This is the tempering process.

9. Spoon the mixture onto the top of the chilled cake, allowing the overflow to drip down the sides. Cool slightly. Carefully remove the cake from the wire rack. Chill for at least 6 hours.

For the Garnish
10. Melt the semisweet chocolate chips in a stainless-steel bowl set over simmering water. Stir until the chocolate has melted and is smooth.

11. Line a baking sheet with parchment or waxed paper. Pour the chocolate onto the baking sheet and spread evenly. Let cool, then chill until it sets. Break the chocolate into pieces, like brittle. Mound the pieces on top of the cake, sticking them in at various angles. Sprinkle with confectioners sugar. Slice and serve.

Submitted 6/13/05.
Source: From Emeril's Creole Christmas
Submitted By: Marlen
matchlessm@aol.com
Chocolate Chocolate Pudding Cake with Chocolate Ganache