Photo: Tara Donne; Styling: Sarah Smart
Here's a recipe that demonstrates the need for (and rewards of) patience. When you whip egg whites slowly--first at medium-low and building up speed gradually--you end up with the softest, creamiest, fluffiest mixture, into which you need to patiently and gradually fold flour. Try to rush things, and you'll end up with a dense cake, full of holes, that falls instead of lifts.
How to Make It
Step 1
Preheat oven to 350°.
Step 2
To prepare cake, weigh or lightly spoon flour into a dry measuring cup; level with a knife. Sift together flour and 3/4 cup superfine sugar.
Step 3
Place egg whites in a large bowl; beat with a mixer at medium-low speed until foamy (about 1 1/2 minutes). Add cream of tartar and salt; beat at medium speed until soft peaks form (about 2 minutes). Increase mixer speed to medium-high; add remaining 3/4 cup superfine sugar, 1 tablespoon at a time, beating until medium peaks form (about 2 minutes). Do not overbeat. Add 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla, and beat just until combined.
Step 4
Sift 1/4 cup flour mixture over egg white mixture; gently and gradually fold in. Repeat procedure with remaining flour mixture, 1/4 cup at a time.
Step 5
Spoon batter into an ungreased 10-inch tube pan, spreading evenly. Bake at 350° for 40 minutes or until cake springs back when lightly touched. Invert pan over the neck of a glass bottle; cool cake completely. Loosen cake from sides of pan using a narrow metal spatula. Invert cake onto plate; invert again.
Step 6
To prepare sauce, pour milk and half-and-half into a small heavy saucepan; add 2 tablespoons granulated sugar, dash of salt, and chocolate. Heat milk mixture over medium heat to 180° or until tiny bubbles form around edge, stirring until chocolate melts and mixture is smooth (do not boil). Place remaining 2 tablespoons granulated sugar, cornstarch, and egg yolk in a medium bowl; stir well with a whisk. Gradually add hot milk mixture to egg mixture, stirring constantly with a whisk. Return milk mixture to pan. Cook over medium-low heat until mixture boils, stirring constantly. Remove from heat. Stir in 1/4 teaspoon vanilla. Serve cake with warm sauce.
