Recipe: Country Chocolate Loaf Cake with Warm Chocolate-Coffee Sauce

COUNTRY CHOCOLATE LOAF CAKE WITH WARM CHOCOLATE-COFFEE SAUCE

"This cake has an unusual history. I discovered it in a little bakery in a hill town in eastern Provence. It bore no resemblance at all to classic French tortes but reminded me instead of American cakes. I pleaded with the bakery's proprietor for the recipe, but to no avail; she proudly guarded her bakery's secret. Over many months and after many trials, I was able to figure out that the cake was made with five simple ingredients: butter, sugar, flour, chocolate and eggs. I added a touch of cinnamon to the batter and also developed a warm chocolate coffee sauce to serve with it. The result was a cake that always reminds me of the narrow market street where I found my inspiration."

1/4 cup plus 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour, divided use
8 tablespoons (1 stick) unsalted butter, well chilled and cut into small chunks
5 ounces semisweet chocolate, cut into small chunks
3 large eggs, separated
2/3 cup sugar
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Warm Chocolate-Coffee Sauce (recipe follows)

Arrange a rack in center position and preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line an 8 1/2-by-4 1/2-by-2 1/2-inch loaf pan with 2 layers of wax paper, cut so it extends 3 inches over both long sides of pan.

To prepare cake:
Spray pan generously with nonstick cooking spray. Sprinkle 1 tablespoon flour over paper and shake pan to coat generously. Shake out excess flour.

Combine butter and chocolate in top of a double boiler set over simmering water and stir until melted and smooth. Remove from heat; set aside.

Beat egg yolks in a large bowl with an electric mixer on medium-high speed. Add sugar gradually in a thin stream and beat until mixture is quite thick and pale yellow, about 5 minutes. Reduce speed to low and pour in melted chocolate mixture. Add remaining 1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons flour and cinnamon and scrape down sides of bowl, if necessary.

Beat egg whites in a separate bowl until firm but not dry. Stir about 1/2 cup beaten whites into chocolate batter. Fold in remaining whites, a little at a time. Spoon batter into prepared pan.

Bake until a tester inserted in center comes out dry, 45 to 50 minutes. Remove from oven and let cool on a rack in pan for 30 minutes. Loosen edges with a knife and lift out, using wax paper as an aid. (Cake will keep 4 to 5 days covered tightly in plastic wrap or foil in refrigerator. Bring to room temperature before serving. Cake can also be frozen; wrap in plastic and in foil. Defrost before using.)

TO SERVE:
Cut cake into 1/2-inch-thick slices and drizzle with Warm Chocolate-Coffee Sauce.

WARM CHOCOLATE-COFFEE SAUCE
Makes about 1 1/3 cups

8 ounces semisweet chocolate, cut into small chunks
5 1/2 tablespoons unsalted butter, well chilled and cut into small chunks
2 tablespoons powdered instant coffee, dissolved in 1/2 cup hot water

Place all ingredients for the sauce in a small, heavy saucepan over medium heat. Stir until smooth, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat, and serve warm. (Sauce can be made 1 week ahead. Cool, cover and refrigerate. Reheat, stirring, over low heat.)

Makes 16 (1/2-inch-thick) slices
Source: All-American Cooking for a New Generation by Betty Rosbottom