Biedermeier Delight

Ingredients

• 6 large eggs 6 large eggs
• 150g (1 1/4 cups) all-purpose flour 150g (1 1/4 cups) all-purpose flour
• 150g (3/4 cup) granulated sugar 150g (3/4 cup) granulated sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla extract 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 200g (3/4 cup) apricot jam 200g (3/4 cup) apricot jam
• 200g (7 oz) dark chocolate 200g (7 oz) dark chocolate
• 200ml (3/4 cup) heavy cream 200ml (3/4 cup) heavy cream
• 50g (1/4 cup) unsalted butter 50g (1/4 cup) unsalted butter
• 1 tbsp powdered sugar (for dusting) 1 tbsp powdered sugar (for dusting)

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 380 kcal / 1590 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 18g, 10g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 50g, 35g
• Protein: 6g
• Fiber: 2g
• Salt: 0.1g

Preparation

1. 1.
   Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F). Grease and flour a round cake pan.
2. 2.
   In a large mixing bowl, beat the eggs and sugar together until pale and fluffy. Add the vanilla extract and mix well.
3. 3.
   Gradually sift in the flour and gently fold it into the egg mixture until fully incorporated.
4. 4.
   Pour the batter into the prepared cake pan and smooth the top with a spatula. Bake for 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
5. 5.
   Remove the cake from the oven and let it cool completely on a wire rack.
6. 6.
   Once cooled, carefully slice the cake horizontally into three equal layers.
7. 7.
   Spread a generous amount of apricot jam on the bottom layer and place the second layer on top. Repeat this process with the remaining jam and layers.
8. 8.
   In a heatproof bowl, melt the dark chocolate over a pan of simmering water. Once melted, remove from heat and stir in the heavy cream and butter until smooth and glossy.
9. 9.
   Pour the chocolate glaze over the assembled cake, ensuring it covers the top and sides evenly.
10. 10.
    Allow the glaze to set for at least 1 hour before serving. Dust with powdered sugar for an elegant finishing touch.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Eggs — Ensure that the eggs are at room temperature before using them in the recipe to achieve maximum volume when beating.
• Dark chocolate — Use high-quality dark chocolate with at least 70% cocoa content for a rich and intense flavor.
• Apricot jam — Opt for a smooth and high-quality apricot jam to enhance the taste and texture of the cake.

Tips & Tricks

• To achieve a perfectly even glaze, pour the chocolate glaze over the cake using a ladle, starting from the center and working your way outwards.
• For an extra touch of elegance, decorate the top of the cake with chocolate curls or edible gold leaf.
• If apricot jam is not available, you can substitute it with raspberry or strawberry jam for a different flavor profile.
• Serve the Biedermeier Delight with a dollop of freshly whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a delightful combination of flavors and textures.
• Store any leftover cake in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Serving advice

Slice the Biedermeier Delight into generous portions and serve it on elegant dessert plates. Accompany each slice with a dusting of powdered sugar and a small dollop of whipped cream for an exquisite presentation.

Presentation advice

To create a visually stunning presentation, place a fresh apricot or a sprig of mint on top of the cake. Serve it on a decorative cake stand or a vintage dessert platter to enhance the elegance of this traditional Austrian dessert.