Makes 12 servings (one 9-inch cake)
Total time: 1 1/2 hours + chilling
Ingredients:
For the cake, sift:
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 cup sugar, divided
1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 1/2 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. ground cinnamon (optional)
1/2 tsp. table salt
1/2 tsp. cayenne pepper (optional)
Whisk:
4 eggs, separated
1/2 cup heavy cream
1/3 cup canola oil
1 Tbsp. pure vanilla extract
Beat:
1/2 tsp. cream of tartar
For the three milks, whisk:
1 can sweetened condensed milk (14 oz.)
1 can evaporated milk (12 oz.)
1/2 cup heavy cream
For the topping, heat:
1 1/2 cups heavy cream
4 oz. semisweet bar chocolate, finely chopped
1/2 cup sour cream
- Preheat over to 350 degrees.
- For the cake, sift flour, 3/4 cup sugar, cocoa powder, baking powder, cinnamon, salt, and cayenne into a large bowl.
- Whisk together egg yolks, 1/2 cup cream, oil, and vanilla in a separate bowl; add to dry ingredients and whisk until smooth.
- Beat egg whites with cream oil tartar in another bowl with a hand mixer on medium speed until soft peaks form, 3-4 minutes; gradually sprinkle in remaining 1/4 cup sugar and beat until whites are stiff and glossy but not dry, 4 minutes more.
- Whisk one quarter of the egg whites into the batter. Fold in remaining whites, in three batches, adding more when no streaks remain. Pour batter into an ungreased 9-inch springform pan set on a baking sheet. Bake cake until a skewer inserted into the center comes out clean, 45-50 minutes; cool 10 minutes.
- For the three milks, whisk together sweetened condensed milk, evaporated milk, and 1/2 cup cream. Poke cake all over with a skewer. Slowly pour milks over cake, letting them soak in before adding more. Cool cake completely, then cover and chill overnight.
- For the topping, heat 1 1/2 cups cream in a saucepan over medium until steaming. Off heat, add chocolate, cover, and let sit for 5 minutes; whisk until smooth. Whisk in sour cream, then chill.
- Beat topping mixture until soft peaks form, then spoon over cake.
To serve, run a knife around the edge of the pan, then unlock the ring and carefully remove the cake from the base.
