Shelly's Recipe

BLACK FOREST BROWNIE CAKE

Category: Cakes

13 tablespoons butter, plus more for pan
1 cup plus 2 tablespoons sugar, plus more for pan
6 1/2 ounces bittersweet chocolate
4 large eggs (3 separated, 1 whole)
3 additional large egg whites
Pinch of salt
3/4 pound fresh or frozen, pitted Bing cherries
7 tablespoons kirsch, or to taste
1 cup heavy whipping cream

Preheat oven to 300 degrees. Butter and sugar an 8-inch springform pan and set aside.

Chop chocolate into small pieces, and place in a double boiler or heat-proof bowl with the 13 tablespoons butter. Place over a pan of barely simmering water and stir occasionally until completely melted. Remove from heat and set aside.

Place 3 yolks, the whole egg, the salt and 2/3 cup sugar in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the whisk attachment. Beat on medium-high speed until thick and pale yellow, about 5 minutes. Transfer to a medium bowl.

Thoroughly wash mixer bowl and whisk. Add the 6 egg whites and 1/3 cup sugar to the clean bowl. Whisk until mixture is stiff and shiny, about 4 minutes.

Pour chocolate mixture into egg yolk mixture, and fold together. Gently fold in egg whites until just combined.

Pour into prepared pan, and bake in preheated oven until cake has risen high and top has begun to crack, about 1 hour and 10 minutes. The center of the cake should be set but not dry.

Allow to cool completely on rack, then remove springform ring.

If using fresh cherries, carefully cut cherries in half by running tip of a paring knife around each cherry, starting at the stem. Gently twist cherry halves and carefully remove pits.

If using frozen cherries, thaw before using and cut in half.

Place cherries and remaining 2 tablespoons sugar in medium skillet over medium heat. Cook until sugar is dissolved and cherries release their juice, about 5 minutes. Remove pan from heat, add kirsch, and transfer carefully back to heat. Allow to cook until liquid is slightly thickened, about 2 minutes.

In medium bowl, whip cream to soft peaks. Serve chocolate cake with warm cherry mixture and a scoop of whipped cream.