Flourless Chocolate Torte with a Strawberry Glaze

Birthdays are very special.  However, grown-ups do not typically celebrate birthdays in the same fashion as kids.  My husband just celebrated his birthday, and I had prepared to make a cake and decorate it.  When I asked him what design he wanted, he said that he did not want a decorated cake.  So, I started thinking about what I could make.  I decided to make a Flourless Chocolate Torte with a Strawberry Glaze.  This recipe is simple, but the results are decadent.

Flourless Chocolate Torte

Ingredients:
     4 ounces dark chocolate
     4 ounces milk chocolate
     2 sticks (1 cup) butter
     1 1/4 cup sugar
     6 eggs
     1 cup unsweetened cocoa

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.  Then use grape seed oil to grease the bottom and the sides of a springform pan.  Cut out a circle of parchment paper that will fit in the bottom of the springform pan.  Place the parchment paper circle in the springform pan, and then spread a little more grape seed oil on it.  Put this off to the side.

Place the chocolate and butter in a medium saucepan over a medium-low heat.  Stir it frequently to keep the chocolate from burning on the bottom of the pan.  Remove the pot from the heat when butter and chocolate is completely melted and combined.  Transfer the melted chocolate and butter to a large mixing bowl with a whisk attachment.  Turn the mixer to a medium speed and slowly add the sugar.  Then start adding the eggs, one at a time.  When the eggs are all added, stir the cocoa gently into the batter.  Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake for 35 minutes.

You will know the torte is cooked thoroughly when the center of the torte is firm to the touch.  Let the torte cool for 10 minutes.  Place a serving plate upside down on top of the springform pan.  Turn this over, so the plate is on the table and the springform pan is upside down.  Remove the sides of the springform pan, discard the parchment paper, and let the cake cool completely.

Then it is time to make the strawberry glaze.

Strawberry Glaze

2lbs strawberries, fresh or frozen
1/2 cup sugar
2/3 cup water
2 teaspoons lemon juice
1 tablespoon cornstarch

Combine the strawberries, sugar, water, and lemon juice in a medium saucepan on a high heat.  Stir occasionally as it comes to a rolling boil.  Reduce the heat, and let it simmer for up to 10 minutes.  As it is simmering, use a potato masher to mash the strawberries and release all of the flavors of the fruit.  When the strawberry mixture has been reduced, and the strawberries mashed to your liking, add the cornstarch.  Whisk the cornstarch until it has been dissolved and the strawberry mixture thickens into a glaze.  It usually takes 3-5 minutes.  Spoon the glaze over the Flourless Chocolate Torte.

Baker's Notes:  If you do not want your glaze to have lumps of strawberries it, there are 2 possible ways to remove them.  You can strain the strawberries chunks out of the liquid, before you use the cornstarch to thicken the glaze.  Another option is to puree the strawberry mixture in a food processor before you thicken it with cornstarch.  I did not want to strain the strawberries, so I just left the pieces of strawberries in my glaze.  If I had more time, I would have pureed the strawberry mixture, but I wanted this to be finished before my kids went to bed.

This Flourless Chocolate Torte and Strawberry Glaze is a wonderful ending to any meal.  It might even make a special dessert for a loved one on Valentine's Day.  I even shared this dessert with friends a few days after I made it, and they loved it.  I hope you get as much enjoyment in this torte as much as we did.  Enjoy!

-Cassidy