Triple-chocolate mousse cake by American Test Kitchen

Triple-chocolate mousse cake by American Test Kitchen

This awesome looking and delicious cake has been our inspiration for years. Alfonso had prepared it many times and each time is such a joy to share it with family and friends. Thanks American Test Kitchen for always providing great recipes that are fond to our memories. [br]

INGREDIENTS (Serves 12 to 16)

This recipe requires a spring form pan at least 3 inches high. It is imperative that each layer is made in sequential order. Cool the base completely before topping it with the middle layer. We recommend Ghirardelli Bittersweet Chocolate Baking Bar for the base and middle layers. Our preferred brand of white chocolate is Guittard Choc-Au-Lait White Chips. For the best results, chill the mixer bowl before whipping the heavy cream. The entire cake can be made through step 7 and refrigerated up to a day in advance; leave it out at room temperature for up to 45 minutes before releasing it from the cake pan and serving. For neater slices, use a cheese wire or dip your knife in hot water before cutting each slice.[br]

Bottom Layer
6 tablespoons (3/4 stick) unsalted butter, cut into 6 pieces, plus extra for greasing pan
7 ounces bittersweet chocolate, chopped fine
3/4 spoon instant espresso powder
1 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
4 large eggs, separated
1/3 cup packed (about 2 1/2 ounces) light brown sugar, crumbled with fingers to remove lumps

Middle Layer
2 tablespoons cocoa powder, preferably Dutch-processed
5 tablespoons hot water
7 ounces bittersweet chocolate, chopped fine
1 1/2 cups cold heavy cream
1 tablespoon granulated sugar
1/8 teaspoon table salt

Top Layer
3/4 teaspoon powder gelatin
1 tablespoon water
6 ounces white chocolate chips
1 1/2 cups cold heavy cream

Shaved chocolate or cocoa powder for serving, optional
DIRECTIONS

1. For the bottom layer: Adjust oven rack to middle position and heat oven to 325 degrees. Butter bottom and sides of 9 1/2 inch spring form pan. Melt butter, chocolate, and espresso powder in large heat proof 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.[br]

2. In stand mixer fitted with whisk attachment, beat 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 longer, scraping down sides halfway through. Using whisk, fold one-third of beaten eggs whites into chocolate mixture to lighten. Using rubber spatula, fold in remaining egg whites until no white streak remain. Carefully transfer batter to prepared spring form pan, gently smoothing top  with offset spatula.

3. Bake until cake has risen, is firm around edges, and the center has just set but is still soft (center of cake will spring back after pressing gently with finger), 13 to 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.

4. For the middle layer: Combine cocoa powder and hot 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.

5. In clean bowl of stand mixer fitted with whisk attachment, whip 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 from when whisk is lifted, 15 to 60 seconds.

6. 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 spring form 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.

7. For 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-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).

8. In clean bowl of stand mixer fitted with whisk attachment, whip remaining cup cream at medium speed until it begins to thicken, about 30 seconds. Increase speed to high and whip until soft peaks from when whisk is lifted, 15 to seconds. 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 mouse into pan over middle layer. Smooth top with offset spatula. Return cake to refrigerator and chill until set, at least 1 1/2 hours.

9. To serve: If using, garnish top of cake with chocolate curls or dust with cocoa. Run thin knife between cake and side of spring form pan; remove side of pan. Run cleaned knife along outside of cake to smooth sides. Cut into slices and serve.