Chocolate Champagne Genoise

Chocolate Champagne Genoise
Chocolate Champagne Genoise

January clockwork. This time of year always seems to bring out the optimist in me. I am hopeful. No other word can describe it better. Hopeful.

2014 was a year filled to the brim. It was a year of baking and recipe testing and a whole lot of avoiding dirty dishes. It was the year I wrote a new book for you. I know it seems like forever ago when I first told you about it, and I’d considered keeping it a secret until closer to the release date, but ultimately I decided to spill the beans. I want you to know what I’m up to, especially when blog posts seem sparse. I would love to be the kind of blogger who can simultaneously write a book of recipes and also post blog recipes regularly, but I am not that person. It’s slow and steady for me, and I’m learning to accept my inner tortoise. Now the finish line is in sight with a fall publish date for the book and I could not be more excited. It was certainly a year of hard work, and for that, I’m grateful beyond words.

Chocolate Champagne Genoise

I had trouble deciding what to make for the first blog post of the New Year, and I’d considered nearly a dozen recipes before settling on this one. My motto is, when in doubt – chocolate. Plus, genoise cake is something every baker and baking enthusiast should know how to make. If you’re looking to expand your baking abilities in 2015, then this classic cake is a great place to start.

Genoise is a sponge cake that has no chemical leaven, and instead relies on the air whipped into eggs to give it rise as it bakes. The cake’s dry spongy texture is made for soaking up delicious flavored syrups and it’s sturdy enough for layering, so it’s no surprise that this recipe is a common building block in patisserie.

Chocolate Champagne Genoise

This cake is often baked in a thin sheet or in a standard 9-inch round, but I decided to use a Savarin Mold.I love how this pan makes cakes look like one big doughnut (note to self: make One Big Doughnut Cake).

Chocolate Champagne Genoise

What do you think of this cake with quills? I’d seen a similar cake in a bakery, and decided to make my own version at home. It reminds me a little of the winter treescapes right now – a whole lot of bare limbs jutting towards the sky. Chocolate sticks can be purchased online, but because this cake requires quite a lot of them, I made my own. It’s not difficult, and if you have the tools, it’s totally beginner friendly. Another great thing to learn in 2015 (if you haven’t already) is how to temper chocolate. You can find my tutorial here with last year’s Etsy post for Red Velvet Bonbons. But if you’re not inclined to temper, then an excellent substitute is Ghirardelli Chocolate Melting Wafers.These wafers taste deeply chocolaty and no tempering required.

Chocolate Champagne Genoise

You can find the tools I use for making the chocolate sticks here

It’s relatively inexpensive and the comb can be used to texture the edges of frosted cakes, too. 

Chocolate Champagne Genoise

In the picture above, I’ve spread the chocolate to about 1/4-inch thickness, then run the pastry 

comb straight through it. You can tidy the edges by running the scraper across each end. 

Chocolate Champagne Genoise

After the chocolate stands for a few minutes and the surface becomes matte, you can cut it into even lengths with the scraper. This particular scraper has a very flexible knife, which is important for removing the sticks from the paper. It glides underneath the sticks easily without breaking the thin pieces of chocolate.

Chocolate Champagne Genoise

This cake was given a generous soak of champagne syrup and then left to absorb overnight. This is an important step if you’re using the chocolate sticks as decoration. If the genoise cake isn’t properly saturated, then the chocolate sticks will not insert easily and because they are so thin, they’ll break.

I really loved the flavor of sweet champagne syrup with chocolate cake. It tastes like a celebration. And with that, I’ll bid you a very Happy New Year!

Chocolate Champagne Genoise Cake

[click for printable version]

Yields one 9-inch cake

Plan ahead, this cake needs to stand for at least 3 hours or preferably overnight.

Chocolate genoise

3 large eggs plus 3 large egg yolks, at room temperature

3/4 cup/150 g granulated sugar

1/8 tsp. salt

1/3 cup/40 g cake flour

1/3 cup/40 g cornstarch

1/4 cup/35 g unsweetened alkalized cocoa powder

Champagne syrup

1 cup/240 ml champagne or prosecco

1/2 cup/100 g granulated sugar

Decoration

10 ounces chocolate sticks (about 120 pieces)

Unsweetened cocoa powder, for dusting

Preheat oven to 350°F. 

Grease and flour a 9-inch round
baking pan or a 9 3/4-inch Savarin mold.

In a heat-proof bowl (preferably stainless) beat together
whole eggs, egg yolks, sugar and salt, using an electric hand mixer at high
speed.  Place bowl over pan of simmering
water and continue beating with the electric mixer until the mixture is warm.
Remove bowl from water. Continue to beat until mixture is cooled and increased
in volume;  this will take 5-7 minutes,
and the batter should be thick and leave a trail when the beaters are lifted
from the bowl.

Sift together cake
flour, cornstarch and cocoa.  Sift dry
ingredients over the beaten egg mixture, gently folding with a rubber
spatula.  Pour batter in prepared pan.

Bake for 30 minutes or until cake springs back when
touched with finger. Cool in pan on wire rack for 10 minutes. Loosen edge with
knife and invert cake onto a rack. Cool completely.

For the syrup, combine the champagne or prosecco and
sugar in a small saucepan. Simmer over medium-high heat, stirring constantly,
until the sugar is melted. Remove from heat and let cool until just warm, about
20 minutes.

Place the cake upside down on a large sheet of plastic
wrap. Poke holes in the bottom of the cake using a fork. Using a pastry brush,
liberally brush half the syrup all over the bottom of the cake. Turn the cake
upright and brush with the remaining syrup. Be sure to use all the syrup so the
cake is thoroughly saturated. Loosely wrap the cake in the plastic wrap, and
then in a layer of aluminum foil and allow the cake to stand at least three hours or preferably overnight.

To decorate the cake, press the chocolate sticks into the
cake at a 45 degree angle, beginning at the center. Do this gently, as
chocolate sticks are fragile. Avoid holding the sticks in your hands as you
decorate because they will become soft. Keep them on the counter top. Continue pressing more sticks into the cake, moving
outward, until the entire cake is covered. Dust the cake with unsweet cocoa, if
desired. Store the cake in the refrigerator, covered with plastic wrap, for up
to 3 days.

Note: This cake is excellent brushed with Kirsch (cherry)
syrup. Just replace the champagne with Kirsch liqueur and serve with whipped cream. Add
a few Morello cherries and you’ve got Black Forest Cake.

Edit 1/6: Someone asked how this cake is sliced. If you cut between the chocolate pieces at an angle, you’ll get a clean slice.

Chocolate Champagne Genoise Cake

Heather Baird
Plan ahead, this cake needs to stand for at least 3 hours or preferably overnight.
No ratings yet
Prep Time 55 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Rest overnight, 8 hours 8 hours
Total Time 9 hours 40 minutes
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 10

Equipment

  • savarin pan

Ingredients
 
 

Chocolate genoise

  • 3 large eggs plus 3 large egg yolks at room temperature
  • 3/4 cup/150 g granulated sugar
  • 1/8 tsp. salt
  • 1/3 cup/40 g cake flour
  • 1/3 cup/40 g cornstarch
  • 1/4 cup/35 g unsweetened alkalized cocoa powder

Champagne syrup

  • 1 cup/240 ml champagne or prosecco
  • 1/2 cup/100 g granulated sugar

Decoration

  • 10 ounces chocolate sticks about 120 pieces
  • Unsweetened cocoa powder for dusting

Instructions
 

  • Preheat oven to 350°F.
  • Grease and flour a 9-inch round baking pan or a 9 3/4-inch Savarin mold.
  • In a heat-proof bowl (preferably stainless) beat together whole eggs, egg yolks, sugar and salt, using an electric hand mixer at high speed. Place bowl over pan of simmering water and continue beating with the electric mixer until the mixture is warm. Remove bowl from water. Continue to beat until mixture is cooled and increased in volume; this will take 5-7 minutes, and the batter should be thick and leave a trail when the beaters are lifted from the bowl.
  • Sift together cake flour, cornstarch and cocoa. Sift dry ingredients over the beaten egg mixture, gently folding with a rubber spatula. Pour batter in prepared pan.
  • Bake for 30 minutes or until cake springs back when touched with finger. Cool in pan on wire rack for 10 minutes. Loosen edge with knife and invert cake onto a rack. Cool completely.
  • For the syrup, combine the champagne or prosecco and sugar in a small saucepan. Simmer over medium-high heat, stirring constantly, until the sugar is melted. Remove from heat and let cool until just warm, about 20 minutes.
  • Place the cake upside down on a large sheet of plastic wrap. Poke holes in the bottom of the cake using a fork. Using a pastry brush, liberally brush half the syrup all over the bottom of the cake. Turn the cake upright and brush with the remaining syrup. Be sure to use all the syrup so the cake is thoroughly saturated. Loosely wrap the cake in the plastic wrap, and then in a layer of aluminum foil and allow the cake to stand at least three hours or preferably overnight.
  • To decorate the cake, press the chocolate sticks into the cake at a 45 degree angle, beginning at the center. Do this gently, as chocolate sticks are fragile. Avoid holding the sticks in your hands as you decorate because they will become soft. Keep them on the counter top. Continue pressing more sticks into the cake, moving outward, until the entire cake is covered. Dust the cake with unsweet cocoa, if desired. Store the cake in the refrigerator, covered with plastic wrap, for up to 3 days.

Notes

This cake is excellent brushed with Kirsch (cherry) syrup. Just replace the champagne with Kirsch liqueur and serve with whipped cream. Add a few Morello cherries and you’ve got Black Forest Cake.
Edit 1/6: Someone asked how this cake is sliced. If you cut between the chocolate pieces at an angle, you’ll get a clean slice.
Keyword champagne syrup, chocolate sticks, genoise cake
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
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Kaitlin Flannery
Kaitlin Flannery
9 years ago

I love this way of decorating the cake! It looks like a delicious pinecone 😀

Rosa's Yummy Yums
Rosa's Yummy Yums
9 years ago

Beautiful and very original!

Best wishes for 2015.

Cheers,

Rosa

Unknown
Unknown
9 years ago

Why didn't we think of this idea!?!? Lol…Seriously though this is absolutely brilliant!

June Burns
June Burns
9 years ago

Holy cow what a brilliant cake! I love the chocolate sticks you made, fantastic idea…just another reason to get that cake comb! 😀 Can't wait to see your cookbook, since I love your first one so much 🙂

Dani
Dani
9 years ago

Simplesmente lindo!

primrosesattic
primrosesattic
9 years ago

Chocolate heaven. Thank you.
Rosezeeta

Monica
Monica
9 years ago

Happy New Year! You are surely a genius and here's to even more brilliant creations like this in 2015! I wholeheartedly agree with your motto of going chocolate when in doubt! I couldn't be happier to see this. It looks amazing and has all the flavors and textures I crave.

Catherine
Catherine
9 years ago

Happy New Year!! and congrats on your book date; how very exciting and accomplished you must feel.
Slow and steady is always a good course.
The cake looks so nice and very artsy.
xo Catherine

Anonymous
Anonymous
9 years ago

WOW…. love the look ! I've not made this kind of cake before…. can someone suggest what I could soak this cake with, can't use alcohol. Really appreciate your help
Thanks

Kiran @ KiranTarun.com
Kiran @ KiranTarun.com
9 years ago

Such a fun cake!!

Jasline @ Foodie Baker
Jasline @ Foodie Baker
9 years ago

I love the photo of the shower of cocoa powder on top of the cake. Interesting way of decorating a cake, looks delicious!

Thalia @ butter and brioche
Thalia @ butter and brioche
9 years ago

Now this is one INCREDIBLE cake. I seriously have no words for it.. but you can definitely cut me up a slice (or two)!

Charlotte
Charlotte
9 years ago

this looks absolutely amazing! never seen something like that 3

Anonymous
Anonymous
9 years ago

Hi,
I have a question about chocolate. Is the reason you have to temper it is so it won't go all spotty? Does all chocolate do that or only the bitter sweet varieties. I have melted chocolate and piped it into different shapes only to find that it turns an awful looking colour when it comes to room temp. Thanks, Kinga

Heather Baird
Heather Baird
9 years ago

Hi Kinga!

All chocolate has the potential to turn spotty if overheated. The cocoa butter comes to the surface and makes it whitish and strange looking. This is one reason to temper the chocolate, the other is to get a pretty shine and (my favorite) a snap! I like how tempered chocolate snaps between the teeth.

WholeYum
WholeYum
9 years ago

Beautiful photography!!

Sarah from Soymilk + Honey
Sarah from Soymilk + Honey
9 years ago

Wow! What a cake! If this is slow and steady..keep it up! 🙂

Unknown
Unknown
9 years ago

Happy New Year! I love black forest cake which is genoise, but this looks phenomenal!

Reminds me of a fall/winter wreath. So pretty and plenty of wow factor.

Lisa // Sweet 2 Eat Baking

Natasha @ The Cake Merchant
Natasha @ The Cake Merchant
9 years ago

Happy New Year! This is such a cool looking cake. I'm really looking forward to your next book!

Kara
Kara
9 years ago

This is really great and such an inspiring cake for the new year! Thank you so much for all of your recipes and constant creative work! I can also imagine this recipe with orange juice or coffee instead of the champagne. Maybe as a version for pregnant women or children…
Well anyways thank you so much for everything and have a happy new year!

Heather
Heather
9 years ago

Wow! So so cool! Happy New Year, Friend!
Xoxo
Hedda

Oana
Oana
9 years ago

Wow, such an impressive cake! Love the design and gotta give a try to your chocolate decorations. Thanks for sharing!

Colette (Coco)
Colette (Coco)
9 years ago

Stunning presentation.
I'll be it tastes amazing, too.
Happy 2015, Heather! xo

Anonymous
Anonymous
9 years ago

This looks amazing – I've never seen anything like it before, but I love the look. So cool and sounds even more delicious!

sylvie
sylvie
8 years ago

My Goodness, what a smart cake! I'm impressed, this cake is just incredibly pretty and yummy…