Secrets
- Bittersweet dark chocolate (70%) to balance the already sweetened chestnut spread.
- Do not overbake: at 30 minutes, it still looks soft but sets as it cools.
- Two hours in the fridge after cooling ensure clean, fudgy slices.
The magic cake of fall: chestnut spread replaces both flour and sugar. All you need is dark chocolate, butter, eggs and a can of chestnut spread.
With less than ten minutes of prep, you get a dense, silky fondant that slices just like a chocolate marquise.
Step-by-step recipe check off as you go
Melt the chocolate and butter
Preheat the oven to 180 °C (350 °F). Melt the dark chocolate and butter over very low heat, then stir in the fleur de sel until smooth.
Loosen the chestnut spread
In the mixing bowl, whisk the chestnut spread with the slightly cooled melted chocolate.
Beat in the eggs one by one
Add the eggs one by one, whisking well between each addition to give body to the batter.
Popotam's tipSince there is no flour, well-whisked eggs are what hold the cake together.Bake for just 30 minutes
Pour into the cake pan lined with parchment paper and bake for 30 minutes at 180 °C (350 °F). The center should still feel slightly soft to the touch.
And there you go, it's ready
Check off every step to unmold the fondant.
Secrets for a melt-in-your-mouth texture what makes all the difference
Storage and make-ahead
It keeps for 4 days in the fridge and tastes even better made the day before.
Variations
- A few pieces of candied chestnuts or cooked chestnuts folded into the batter.
- A tablespoon of dark rum or vanilla extract.
- Served with crème anglaise or plain Greek yogurt.
Frequently asked questions
Faut-il ajouter du sucre ?
Surtout pas : la crème de marrons apporte déjà toute la douceur nécessaire.
Est-il vraiment sans farine ?
Oui, l'amidon naturel des châtaignes suffit à lier le gâteau avec les œufs.
Peut-on utiliser de la purée de marrons non sucrée ?
Dans ce cas, ajoute 120 g de sucre et une gousse de vanille grattée.
Fall menus that serve it with the grocery list for the whole table
Build your fall week
Add this recipe to your meal plan, then pick a main, a soup or a dessert: Popotam brings them together with the grocery list for the whole week. Free, no account.
