I first made this almost a year ago. It has been a staple ever since.
If you don't have a springform pan, go out and get one. Seriously, this can wait. This one is good, if you can wait until it ships to you....
Ingredients:
1 bag of Ghiradelli 60% Cocoa chocolate Chips
8 ounces Ghiradelli Semi-sweet Chocolate Chips (OR you can use another 8 oz of the 60%, if you like your chocolate to be very dark..)
2 sticks of butter
2/3 c grade B Maple Syrup
2 T water
6 eggs
3/4 tsp vanilla extract (do NOT use artificial)
OPTIONAL: a pinch of cayenne pepper OR a pinch of sea salt
Preheat oven to 275.
Grab a hand mixer, plug it in, and have it ready to go.
Grease a 9" springform pan. Wrap the bottom of the pan with a sheet of aluminum foil and place it in a roasting pan. (The foil is to protect the pan from having water leak into the pan as it cooks. It will cook in a water bath that goes about 1/2way up the side of the pan)
Mix the water and maple syrup in a small cup and set aside.
Melt the chocolate and the butter in the microwave - Follow the instructions for melting the butter on the bag. BE CAREFUL not to let it burn! (I use a thick 8c glass measuring cup for this step- you could melt it in a double boiler on the stovetop, if you have the time and patience... I do not.)
Use the hand mixer on a low-medium speed to mix in the water/syrup mixture.
Add the eggs, ONE AT A TIME, mixing them in completely before you add the next egg.
Add the vanilla and optional ingredient of choice, mix well.
Pour the batter into the springform pan.
Pour water into the roasting pan (being VERY careful not to get any water into the batter). You want the water to go about halfway up the side of the cake pan.
Put it in the oven and cook it for about an hour. (could be a little longer - until it is done in the middle).
Cool the torte to room temperature (at least an hour) before placing it in the fridge to chill (at least 6 hours).
Serving suggestions:
raspberries, whipped cream and fresh mint leaves
homemade caramel sauce, sprinkle of sea salt, and vanilla ice cream
strawberries and almond whipped cream
all by itself
Enjoy!
