It’s Julia Child’s birthday today! And in honor of this iconic celebrity chef, here’s our recipe for a flourless chocolate cake that while not Julia’s favorite Reine de saba, a chocolate and almond cake from her Mastering the Art of French Cooking, Volume II, it comes deliciously close.

Flourless Chocolate Cake

The easiest way to garnish this cake? Simply dust the top with powdered sugar.

Prep 30 minutes
Bake 35 minutes
Makes 6-8 servings

1 cup butter
1 1/3 cups chocolate, chopped
1 cup ground almonds
9 egg yolks
7 tablespoons sugar
1 cup egg whites
7 tablespoons sugar
Chocolate glaze, for frosting

1. Melt the butter in a pan. Add the chocolate and stir until melted. Add the almonds and blend well.
2. In a bowl, beat the egg yolks with sugar. Set aside.
3. In another bowl, beat the egg whites until soft peaks stage. Add the remaining sugar and beat until stiff.
4. Fold in the chocolate mixture to the beaten egg yolks. Mix well then fold into the beaten egg whites.
5. Pour into a greased rectangular pan and bake at 350°F until done, about 35 minutes.
6. When baked, unmold the cake and finish off with a glaze of melted chocolate.

(Photography by Ocs Alvarez. Styling by Cay R. Araneta. Recipes by Chef James Antolin of CCA, Manila)