A very impressive triple-decker chocolate masterpiece!
This is absolutely delicious! Very rich so I’d say it serves 16 as small portions is all it needs. Personally I like to top it with fresh summer berries which go beautifully with the dark rich chocolate. Definitely worth giving this a whirl!
Bottom Layer
6 tablespoon Unsalted butter; cut into 6 pieces (3 oz) plus extra for greasing pan
7 ounce Bittersweet chocolate; chopped fine
0.75 teaspoon Instant espresso powder
1.5 teaspoon Vanilla extract
4 large Eggs; separated
1 pinch Salt
0.3333 cup Light brown sugar; packed (2 1/2 oz), crumbled with fingers to remove lumps
Middle Layer
2 tablespoon Cocoa powder; dutch processed
5 tablespoon Hot water
7 ounce Bittersweet chocolate; chopped fine
1.5 cups Heavy whipping cream; cold
1 tablespoon Granulated sugar
0.125 teaspoon table salt
Top Layer
0.75 teaspoon Powdered gelatin
1 tablespoon Water
6 ounce White chocolate chips; (see note)
1.5 cups Heavy cream, cold; separated
1 Shaved chocolate or cocoa powder; optional
BOTTOM LAYER:
Adjust oven rack to middle position and preheat oven to 325 degrees. Butter bottom and sides of 9 1/2 inch springform pan that is at least 3 inches high. Melt butter, chocolate, and espresso powder in large heatproof bowl set over saucepan filled with 1 inch of barely simmering water, stirring occasionally until smooth. Remove from heat and cool mixture slightly, about 5 minutes. Whisk in vanilla and egg yolks; set aside.
In stand mixer fitted with whisk attachment, beat room temp. egg whites and salt at medium speed until frothy, about 30 seconds. Add half of brown sugar and beat until combined, about 15 seconds. Add remaining brown sugar and beat at high speed until soft peaks form when whisk is lifted, about 1 minute, scraping down sides of bowl halfway through. Using whisk, fold one-third of beaten egg whites into chocolate mixture to lighten. Using rubber spatula, fold in remaining egg whites until no white streaks remain. Carefully transfer batter to prepared springform pan, gently smoothing top with offset spatula.
Bake until cake has risen, is firm around edges, and center has just set but is still soft (center of cake will spring back after pressing gently with finger) 13-18 minutes. Transfer cake to wire rack to cool completely, about 1 hour. Cake will collapse as it cools. Do not remove cake from pan.
MIDDLE LAYER:
Combine cocoa powder and water in small bowl; set aside. Melt chocolate in large heatproof bowl set over saucepan filled with 1 inch of barely simmering water, stirring occasionally until smooth. Remove from heat and cool slightly, 2 to 5 minutes.
In clean bowl of stand mixer fitted with whisk attachment, whip cold cream, granulated sugar, and salt at medium speed until mixture begins to thicken, about 30 seconds. Increase speed to high and whip until soft peaks form when whisk is lifted.
Whisk cocoa powder mixture into melted chocolate until smooth. Using whisk, fold one-third of whipped cream into chocolate mixture to lighten. Using rubber spatula fold in remaining whipped cream until no white streaks remain. Spoon mousse into springform pan over cooled cake and gently tap pan on counter 3 times to remove any large air bubbles; gently smooth top with offset spatula. Wipe inside edge of pan with damp cloth to remove any drips. Refrigerate cake at least 15 minutes while preparing top layer.
TOP LAYER:
In small bowl, sprinkle gelatin over water; let stand at least 5 minutes. Place white chocolate in medium bowl. Bring 1/2 cup cream to simmer in small saucepan over medium-high heat. Remove from heat; add gelatin mixture and stir until fully dissolved. Pour cream mixture over white chocolate and whisk until chocolate is melted and mixture is smooth, about 30 seconds. Cool to room temperature, stirring occasionally, 5 to 8 minutes (mixture will thicken slightly).
In clean bowl of stand mixer fitted with whisk attachment, whip remaining cup cold cream at medium speed until it begins to thicken, about 30 seconds. Increase speed to high and whip until soft peaks form when whisk is lifted. Using whisk, fold one-third of whipped cream into white chocolate mixture to lighten. Using rubber spatula, fold remaining whipped cream into white chocolate mixture until no white streaks remain. Spoon white chocolate mousse into pan over middle layer. Smooth top with offset spatula. Return cake to refrigerator and chill until set, at least 2 1/2 hours.
TO SERVE:
If using, garnish top of cake with chocolate curls or dust with cocoa. Run thin knife between cake and side of springform pan; remove side of pan. Run clean knife along outside of cake to smooth sides. Cut into slices and serve.
Notes
Make sure springform pan has an edge at least 3 inches high. Cool bottom layer completely before topping with middle layer. Recommended chocolate is Ghirardelli Bittersweet Chocolate Baking Bar for the base and middle layers, white chocolate recommended is Guittard Choc-Au-Lait White Chips. For best results chill mixer bowl before whipping heavy cream. The entire cake can be made through step 7 and refrigerated up to a day in advance; leave it at room temperature for up to 45 minutes before releasing it from the pan and serving. For neater slices use a cheese wire to cut or dip knife in hot water before cutting each slice.
makes 12 Servings