GRITTY CAKE RECIPES

Steps:

• Set oven rack to lowest possible position in oven.
• Preheat oven to 300 degrees F.
• Have ready a greased 8-9" springform pan lined with parchment paper.
• Put chocolate pieces into a large microwaveable bowl and cook on HIGH for 1 minute,stir, and continue cooking for 30 seconds, then stir again,repeat as needed until smooth& melted.
• Set melted chocolate- still in cooking bowl- over another bowl filled with HOT water on counter.
• Meanwhile, beat egg whites,adding just 1/4 cup of the sugar gradually, until stiff peaks form- they will appear shiny.
• In another bowl,cream the butter and remaining 1/4 cup sugar until fluffy.
• Add egg yolks and beat for 1 minute.
• Add finely ground nuts (they should be almost like a gritty powder) and the brandy and beat for 2 more minutes.
• Now, your chocolate should still be slightly warm, but no longer burning hot- add just a bit at a time to the butter mixture, stirring with a rubber spatula to combine well until all is added.
• Fold just 1/4 of the chocolate butter mixture into the egg whites.
• Next, gently pour the now chocolatey egg white mixture into the remaining chocolate butter mixture and fold very gently- you don't want to crush down the egg whites.
• (This whole back and forth procedure is essential to keeping the egg whites from getting crushed and to avoid cooking the eggs into scrambled eggs.) Pour carefully into the springform pan.
• Bake 40-45 minutes if using an 8" pan, slightly less for the 9" pan (about 35-40 minutes).
• Cake is ready when a toothpick comes out with thick, moist but NOT wet crumbs stuck to it- it should NOT come out clean.
• Let cake cool in pan 30 minutes- the cake will sink considerably.
• Remove outer ring of pan and invert cake onto a platter.
• -peel off the parchment.
• Sprinkle with some additional granulated sugar (or powdered sugar).
• This should be served warm, with a dollop of sweetened whipped cream on top, and a garnish of fresh berries in season.
• It is moist in texture- more like a fudgey brownie than a fluffy cake texture.
• Leftovers should be kept in the fridge.
• If you need to make this in advance, set the cake out on the counter about 30 minutes before serving to bring it to room temperature.
• Garnish just before serving or the whipped cream will weep and make a mess all over the cake.

Steps:

• 1. Preheat the oven to 350?F. Grease the inside of an 8?-by-4?-inch loaf pan with a bit of olive oil. 2. Make the cake: In a large bowl, rub together the sugar and lemon zest until fragrant. (This helps release the natural lemon oil.) Whisk in the remaining ingredients until the batter is smooth. Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake for 45 to 50 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool the cake in the pan for 15 minutes, then invert onto a wire rack. Let the cake cool completely if you want the glaze to stay thick on top of the cake. If the cake is warm, the glaze will melt and run off. 3. Make the glaze: In a medium bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar and lemon juice until smooth and lump-free. As you begin to whisk, it might seem too thick, but as the sugar absorbs the juice, the glaze will thin out. The glaze should be pourable but not too runny. 4. Put a tray or baking sheet under the wire rack and pour the glaze all over the cake, letting it run over the edges. Wait a few minutes for the glaze to set. Sprinkle the top with the pistachios, then serve. The cake will keep at room temperature for 3 days. (If you refrigerate it, the glaze will soften.) Cashew-Coconut Yogurt (Optional) 1. In a medium bowl, cover the cashews with cold water. Transfer to the refrigerator to soak for 8 to 12 hours, then drain. 2. In a high-speed blender, puree the soaked cashews, coconut cream and maple syrup until very smooth. You might have to stop, stir and blend several times to ensure there are no gritty cashew pieces. In a small saucepan over low heat, gently heat the mixture until it reaches 100?F. Do not let the mixture get too hot or it will kill the bacteria. 3. Put the probiotic powder in a medium bowl and whisk in about 1 cup of the cream mixture until it's smooth and lump-free. Pour in the remaining cream and whisk to combine. 4. Pour the yogurt into eight 4-ounce glass jars or a 1-quart mason jar. Arrange them, uncovered, on a baking sheet inside the oven with the oven light on for 8 to 12 hours. The yogurt will thicken. Lid the jars and chill in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours before using. The yogurt will keep, refrigerated, for up to 1 week.