It’s February. We’re baking. That means…chocolate!

If you know me, you know I’m one of those odd folks who is really not a huge fan of the chocolate. But I do appreciate some of its beauty – I love the smell and look of melting chocolate, and the dark density of this flourless cake.

Just butter, chocolate, and eggs – the egg whites whipped to give it lift, and the yolks for even more richness.

We also added a twist this month – asking for ice cream to go with the cake. I went with one of the basic vanilla recipes suggested by our hosts.

Here’s the skinny – The February 2009 challenge is hosted by Wendy of WMPE’s blog and Dharm of Dad ~ Baker & Chef.
We have chosen a Chocolate Valentino cake by Chef Wan; a Vanilla Ice Cream recipe from Dharm and a Vanilla Ice Cream recipe from Wendy as the challenge.

Chocolate Valentino Cake

Prep: 20 minutes, Total: 45 minutes

equipment: 9 inch tart pan, or 8 inch springform

1 pound combination of semisweet and bittersweet chocolate, roughly chopped
½ cup plus 2 tablespoons of unsalted butter
5 large eggs, separated

1. Put chocolate and butter in a heatproof bowl and set over a pan of simmering water (the bottom of the bowl should not touch the water) and melt, stirring often.

2. While your chocolate and butter mixture is cooling. Butter your pan and line with a parchment circle then butter the parchment.

3. Separate the egg yolks from the egg whites and put into two medium/large bowls.

4. Whip the egg whites in a medium/large grease free bowl until stiff peaks are formed (do not over-whip or the cake will be dry).

5. With the same beater beat the egg yolks together.

6. Add the egg yolks to the cooled chocolate.

7. Fold in 1/3 of the egg whites into the chocolate mixture and follow with remaining 2/3rds. Fold until no white remains without deflating the batter.

8. Pour batter into prepared pan, the batter should fill the pan 3/4 of the way full, and bake at 375F for 25 minutes until an instant read thermometer reads 140F/60C, or the top of the cake will look similar to a brownie and a cake tester will appear wet.

10. Cool cake on a rack for 10 minutes then unmold.

Wendy’s Ice Cream Recipe
Vanilla Philadelphia Style Recipe
Preparation Time:  5 minutes
2 cups (473 ml) of half and half (1 cup of heavy cream and 1 cup of whole, full fat milk)
1 cup (237 ml) heavy cream
2/3 (128 grams) cup sugar
Dash of salt
1 (12 grams) tablespoon of vanilla

Mix all ingredients together (we do this in a plastic pitcher and mix with an emulsifier hand blender-whisking works too). Refrigerate for 30 minutes or longer.  Mix in your ice cream maker as directed.