Makes 6 servings
- Active time:1 1/4 hr
- Start to finish:5 1/2 hr
May 2002
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4
oz fine-quality bittersweet chocolate (not unsweetened), chopped
-
1
stick (1/2 cup) unsalted butter, cut into tablespoon pieces
-
2 1/4
cups
sugar
-
3
whole large eggs
-
1/8
teaspoon
salt
-
1/2
cup
unsweetened cocoa powder
-
Raspberry ice cream, slightly softened
-
large egg whites
Make cake:
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Preheat oven to 375ºF. Butter an 8-inch square baking pan, then line bottom with wax paper and butter paper.
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Melt chocolate and butter in a metal bowl set over a saucepan of barely simmering water, stirring, until smooth. Remove bowl from pan and whisk 3/4 cup sugar into chocolate mixture. Whisk in whole eggs and salt, then sift cocoa over and whisk until just combined.
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Pour batter into baking pan, spreading evenly, and bake in middle of oven until a tester comes out with a few crumbs adhering, 20 to 25 minutes. Cool cake in pan on a rack 5 minutes, then invert onto rack and cool completely.
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Cut cake into 6 equal pieces, then arrange 1 piece in each gratin dish, trimming to fit. Top each piece of cake with a large scoop of ice cream (about 1/2 cup), then freeze, covered, just until ice cream is hard, about 25 minutes (do not let ice cream become rock hard unless making ahead — see cooks' note, below).
Make meringue just before serving:
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Preheat oven to 450ºF.
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Beat egg whites and a pinch of salt with an electric mixer until they just hold soft peaks. Add remaining 1 1/2 cups sugar a little at a time, beating at high speed, and continue beating until whites just hold stiff, glossy peaks, about 5 minutes in a standing mixer or about 12 minutes with a handheld.
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Remove gratin dishes from freezer and mound meringue over ice cream and cake, spreading to edge of gratin dish. Bake on a baking sheet in middle of oven until golden brown, about 6 minutes. Serve immediately.
Cooks' notes: Ice cream and cake can be frozen in gratin dishes, covered, up to 1 day. Let soften at room temperature 15 minutes before covering with meringue.
The egg whites in this recipe will not be fully cooked, which may be of concern if salmonella is a problem in your area.
