Ingredients
Cake
¾ cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
1 cup superfine sugar
1 vanilla bean* (or 1 teaspoon vanilla extract)
7 large eggs, at room temperature
6 oz semi-sweet chocolate bars, melted and cooled
¼ teaspoon salt
1 cup cake flour
Filling
17.5 oz apricot jam
¼ cup rum
Glaze
8 oz semi-sweet chocolate bars, finely chopped
½ cup unsalted butter, cut into a few pieces
Instructions
Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line the bottom and sides of a 9-inch (23cm) springform pan with parchment paper and set aside.
In a large mixing bowl using an electric mixer fitted with a whisk attachment, cream the butter and ½ cup (100g) of superfine sugar on medium-high speed until it is pale and fluffy for about 3 minutes.
Add the vanilla and one egg yolk at a time and mix to combine after each egg yolk. Then add the melted chocolate and beat until creamy for about 2 minutes. Set aside.
In another large mixing bowl, whisk the egg whites and salt with an electric mixer fitted with a whisk attachment on medium-high speed until foamy, about 1 minute.
Then add the remaining ½ cup (100g) of superfine sugar and mix on high speed until stiff peaks form, about 5 minutes.
Carefully fold the whipped egg whites in 3 additions into the chocolate mixture. Fold only in one direction and with the same repeating movement.
Don’t overwork, or the cake will turn out flat. Then add the cake flour in 2 additions and fold just to incorporate, and no lumps remain. Take care not to overwork the batter.
Otherwise, the batter will deflate, and the cake won’t rise as high as necessary. The batter should be light, fluffy, and silky.
Transfer the batter to the prepared pan, spread evenly, and bake for about 50-60 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Remove from the oven and let cool completely.
Place a mesh strainer over a medium-sized heavy-bottomed saucepan or dutch oven, and press the apricot jam through the mesh strainer into the saucepan. Discard the fruit pulp.
Add the rum and cook over medium heat for 2 minutes until hot, smooth, and combined. Then remove from the heat and set aside.
Cut a thin layer off the top of your cake to create a flat surface. Then flip the cake upside down and cut it in half horizontally. It’s best to place the cake on a cake turner at this point.
Spread about ⅔ of the jam all over the bottom cake layer. Place the top cake layer on top and evenly spread the remaining jam all over the top and the sides of the cake. The cake should be completely covered in jam. Let dry uncovered at room temperature for 1 hour or until the jam is dry to the touch.
To make the chocolate glaze, place a large heavy-bottomed saucepan or dutch oven over low heat and fill 2-inch (5cm) high with water.
Place a large and heatproof glass bowl on top to completely close the saucepan and make sure that the bowl doesn’t touch the water. Place the chocolate and butter in the bowl and slowly melt for about 5 minutes.
Stir often with a rubber spatula and remove until the butter is completely melted and you see a few small pieces of chocolate in the glaze. Then remove the bowl from the heat and let rest for 5 minutes until completely melted and smooth. Stir occasionally.
All at once and in a circulating movement, pour the chocolate glaze on top of the cake and quickly spread with a long frosting spatula to level and let the glaze run down the sides of the cake to cover the cake completely.
Work quickly and with just a few movements. Please use a cake turner for easier handling. Let the glaze dry for 1 hour.
Serve with whipped cream. Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
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