Chocolate Flourless Cake with Raspberry Sauce

For the cake:
Grease a 12-inch springform pan with butter and then line the bottom of the pan with a piece of round parchment cut to the size of the pan. Preheat oven to 325º F.

Melt bittersweet chocolate and butter over a double boiler while taking care to mix every minute. To make a double boiler you will need a medium sauce pan and either a small metal or glass mixing bowl. Bring 2-3 inches of water to a simmer at the bottom of the pot. While maintaining a simmer, place your bowl on top of the pot so that it’s not touching the water, but so that the heat is trapped in the pot underneath it. This will keep your chocolate from burning.

Sift cocoa powder into the boiler while continuing to heat and stir frequently. After the cocoa is mixed in, stir in the sugar. Continue to heat and stir until the sugar is mostly dissolved and then remove from the heat.

Combine eggs, vanilla, and salt in a large mixing bowl. Beat on high for 5 minutes until the eggs are light and fluffy. Gently fold the beaten eggs into the melted chocolate until evenly combined, taking care not to over-mix. Pour the mixture into the springform pan.

Bake at 325º F for 30–35 minutes. After removing the cake from the oven, allow it to rest for 10 minutes and then gently remove it from the springform pan by removing the sides of the pan, and then sliding the parchment lined bottom off of the bottom of the pan. Allow it to cool completely for 1–2 hours before serving.

For the raspberry sauce:
While the cake is cooking, make the raspberry sauce. Place the frozen raspberries in a fine mesh colander and allow the juices to drip into a bowl as they thaw out. Once thawed, use a spatula or wooden mallet to push any remaining juice through the colander. Discard the pith and reserve the juice.

Combine the reserved raspberry juice, water, granulated sugar, and corn starch in a saucepan. Whisk the ingredients together until the corn starch is completely dissolved. Heat the sauce over medium-low heat until it’s bubbling and then cook until thickened for about 2 minutes. Serve chilled.

For the whipped cream:
For best results, chill a metal mixing bowl and your beaters in the freezer before making.

Combine heavy cream, granulated sugar, and vanilla extract in the chilled metal bowl. Beat on high until the cream just becomes light and fluffy and forms stiff peaks. If you over-beat, it will begin to turn into butter.

Whipped cream is best if it’s served immediately, but it can be stored up to 10 hours in the refrigerator in an airtight container. If refrigerated, quickly beat for about 15 seconds before serving.