Chocolate indulgence: A family-approved twist on tradition

Sometimes, all it takes is a simple idea to surprise your guests. During the last family gathering, I decided to go with a tried-and-tested classic but with a new twist – I prepared a moist chocolate cake with a delicate cheese filling and a chocolate layer. Sounds good? It tastes even better. As soon as I served it, my aunts unanimously said they had never tasted anything like it. And the best part – it's so simple!

Ingredients for the cake:

• 6 eggs
• 1 cup of sugar
• 1 cup of milk
• 2 cups of all-purpose flour
• 85 g cocoa powder
• 20 g baking powder

Ingredients for the cheese filling:

• 510 g of cheesecake cheese (from a bucket)
• 280 g of heavy cream (30%)
• 2 packages of vanilla sugar
• 1 package of gelatin fix
• 2 teaspoons of lemon juice
• 1/2 cup of milk
• 1 cup of sugar

Ingredients for the chocolate layer:

• 255 g of semi-sweet chocolate
• 140 g of heavy cream (30%)
• 55 g of butter

Additionally:

• instant coffee for soaking the cake layers

How to prepare the chocolate cake – step by step:

1. Beat the eggs with sugar until you get a light, fluffy mixture.
2. Add milk and continue mixing on low speed.
3. Sift flour, cocoa, and baking powder into a separate bowl, and gradually add to the egg mixture.
4. Mix everything thoroughly to obtain a uniform batter.
5. Pour the batter into a mold (I use a 25×30 cm frame) and bake at 175°C for about 20 minutes.
6. After baking, let it cool and cut it into two equal layers.
7. Drench the layers with cooled instant coffee (about 150 ml of prepared coffee).

Preparation of the cheese filling:

1. Mix the cheese with vanilla sugar, lemon juice, and milk – use a mixer to make the mixture perfectly smooth.
2. In a separate bowl, whip the heavy cream until stiff.
3. Gently combine the whipped cream with the cheese mixture.
4. Prepare the gelatin fix according to the package instructions, cool it, and mix it with the mixture.
5. Add sugar and mix everything briefly once again.
6. Divide the mixture into two equal parts.
7. Spread the first part on the bottom cake layer and refrigerate for about 20 minutes to set.

Preparation of the chocolate layer:

1. Heat the heavy cream in a saucepan (do not bring it to a boil).
2. Place the bowl over a pot of boiling water (double boiler), add butter and broken pieces of chocolate.
3. Stir until the mixture is uniform and glossy.
4. Pour half of the chocolate glaze over the chilled cheese filling and put everything back in the fridge for 20 minutes.
5. Then spread the second part of the cheese filling, cover it with the second cake layer, and pour the rest of the chocolate glaze.
6. Store the finished cake in the fridge overnight so that all layers perfectly combine and set.

This chocolate cake with cheese filling is a treat for the palate and an impressive dessert that looks great on the table. Moist cake layers, creamy filling, and glossy glaze create a dessert that no one can resist. It works for holidays and family gatherings alike – my aunts were delighted, and my cousins asked for seconds.

If you're looking for a cake that will receive only praise – save this recipe and be sure to try it. It tastes better than it looks, and it looks really good!