In light of Mike’s favorite holiday National Chocolate Cake day, this Sunday, I’m posting my favorite chocolate cake recipe. This recipe also happens to be a favorite of our 40th President, Ronald Reagan. I came across it several years ago thumbing through a book by white house chefs about the favorite dishes of the Presidents they cooked for.

I first made this flour-less chocolate cake over Valentines Day for the girl who would be my wife. Without flour it uses what Julia Childs would call, “egg power.” The recipe is a little tricky but don’t be scared just give it a try and after you take that first bite you’ll know it was worth it. Enjoy National Chocolate Cake Day!

Miller

Orange Flourless Chocolate Cake For the Reagan Family by Roland Mesnier

1 ½ sticks (170g) unsalted butter, plus extra for greasing flour, for dusting

6 ounces (170g) bittersweet chocolate

1 cup plus 2 tablespoons sugar

Zest of one large orange

4 eggs plus 2 egg yolks

½ cup (55g) unsweetened cocoa powder

Powdered sugar for dusting

Candied orange peel and vanilla ice cream, to serve

 

Preheat oven to 375 F. Butter and flour a 10inch round cake pan. Line the bottom of the pan with Parchment paper, then butter and flour the parchment paper.

Gently melt the chocolate over a double boiler. Stir the butter into the chocolate to melt, and stir until smooth. Remove from the double boiler and whisk the sugar and orange zest into the chocolate mixture. Add the eggs and egg yolks and whisk well.

Sift the cocoa powder over the chocolate mixture and whisk the batter until totally smooth. Pour the batter into the pan and bake for approximately 35 to 40 minutes, or until the top has formed a good crust. Cool the cake in the pan on a rack 10 minutes. Invert the cake onto a serving platter. Dust with powdered sugar and serve with candied orange peel and vanilla ice cream.