Ginger Chocolate Cake

Step 1

Heat oven to 350 degrees. Grease the bottom and sides of a 9-inch springform pan with the softened butter. Line the bottom with parchment and butter the paper.

Step 2

Combine the butter and chocolate in a medium bowl, and set the bowl over a pan of barely simmering water. Stir occasionally until mostly melted and remove from heat. Continue stirring until smooth and let cool slightly. Add cocoa, fresh ginger, ground ginger, vanilla, salt, 1/4 cup/55 grams crème fraîche, 1/4 cup/50 grams sugar and the liqueur, if using. Whisk until smooth. Lightly beat the egg yolks in another bowl and whisk into the chocolate mixture until smooth. Set aside in a warm place to keep the mixture loose.

Step 3

Meanwhile, use a stand mixer fitted with the whisk or a hand mixer and large bowl to beat the egg whites on medium speed until evenly foamy. Gradually sprinkle in the remaining 3/4 cup/150 grams sugar. Increase the speed to high and continue beating until the egg whites are very billowy and hold a peak.

Step 4

Add 1/4 of the whites to the chocolate mixture and whisk until smooth, then scrape into the bowl with the whites. Fold gently until no white streaks remain. Scrape into the prepared pan and smooth the top. Place on a baking sheet and onto the center oven rack.

Step 5

Bake until the center bounces a little when you gently shake the pan and a toothpick inserted 1 1/2 inches from the edge comes out clean, 40 to 45 minutes. Cool completely on a rack.

Step 6

Remove the ring and slide onto a serving plate from the pan bottom. You can leave the paper in place. Gently pat any crumbling edges back onto the cake. The cake will last well wrapped at room temperature for a few days and can also be frozen.

Step 7

When ready to serve, chill a bowl and whisk, and use them to whip the remaining 3/4 cup/180 milliliters crème fraîche. It will thin out at first, then hold its shape. Dust the cake with cocoa powder and slice with a hot knife. Serve each slice with a dollop of crème fraîche and some of the clementine confit.