Chocolate Mousse and Cream Cake

👨‍🍳 Method

To assemble

1. 1
   Preheat the oven to 175°C (345°F) and grease a round pan 24 cm across.

   ⚙ Preheating the OvenOven

   💡Put things in the oven only once it's reached temperature, after the heating light has gone off: an oven that hasn't reached temperature changes baking times, and the bake burns outside or stays underbaked.
2. 2
   Melt the chocolate and butter in a double boiler and let cool slightly.

   Double boiler (bain-marie)orMicrowave

   💡In the microwave, melt in short bursts, stirring in between, until the chocolate and butter are smooth and liquid.
3. 3
   Whip the yolks with half the sugar and the vanilla, until the mixture is pale and fluffy.

   ⚙ WhippingBowlHand mixerorStand mixerorWhisk
4. 4
   Add the whipped yolks to the chocolate and stir.
5. 5
   Sift the flour and baking powder over the top and Fold gently, just until the batter is smooth.

   ⚙ FoldingSilicone spatulaSifter

   💡Fold with a spatula, in broad strokes from the bottom up, and stop when there are no streaks: vigorous mixing knocks the air out of the foam. Add whipped mixtures in stages: a quarter first, to lighten the mixture.

   💡Fold with a spatula, in broad strokes from the bottom up, and stop when there's no dry flour: vigorous mixing of a batter with flour develops gluten.
6. 6
   Whip the egg whites with the rest of the sugar, to firm peaks. Fold them into the batter in three additions, with gentle strokes.

   ⚙ WhippingBowlHand mixerorStand mixerorWhisk

   💡Whip egg whites in a clean, dry bowl, without a drop of yolk.
7. 7
   Pour into the pan.

   Round pan
8. 8
   Bake 30 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with moist crumbs.

   ⚙ BakingOvenRound pan

   💡Check by the cue (until…), not just the clock: every oven bakes a little differently.
9. 9
   Whip the cream cheese, powdered sugar and heavy cream into a smooth frosting.

   ⚙ WhippingBowlHand mixerorStand mixerorWhisk
10. 10
    Let the cake cool completely and cover it with the frosting.

    Offset spatula

    💡Frost only a completely cool cake: on a warm cake the cream cheese frosting melts and runs down the sides.
11. 11
    Chill 1 hour before serving.

    Refrigerator