CAKES - MERINGUE-CRUSTED CHOCOLATE CAKE

  
Makes 10-12 servings

1 2/3 cups cake flour

1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

1 tablespoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 1/3 cups plus 3/4 cup sugar

1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, room temperature

3 large eggs, separated

1 large egg

1 cup buttermilk

1 cup miniature semisweet chocolate chips (about 6 ounces) 

Preheat oven to 325°F. 

Generously butter 9-inch-diameter springform pan with 2 3/4-inch-high sides; dust with flour. 

Sift first 4 ingredients into small bowl. Using electric mixer, beat 1 1/3 cups sugar, butter, 3 yolks and 1 whole egg in large bowl until blended. Beat in flour mixture alternately with buttermilk in 3 additions each. Mix in chocolate chips.

Using clean dry beaters, beat 3 egg whites in medium bowl until soft peaks form. Gradually add 3/4 cup sugar, beating until stiff glossy peaks form, about 5 minutes. Spread 2/3 of meringue halfway up sides (not on bottom) of prepared pan. 

Spoon batter into meringue-lined pan; top with remaining meringue. 

Using tip of knife, swirl top meringue and some of chocolate batter together.

Bake cake until tester inserted into center comes out with a few crumbs attached, about 1 hour 15 minutes. Cool 10 minutes on rack. Cut around pan sides; release pan sides. Cool completely.

MY NOTE: (1) Don't make this on a rainy day because of the meringue. (2) Run a knife around the pan when the cake is remove from the oven so that it doesn't crack (3) It might take 5-10 minutes longer to bake. 

From Bon Appétit, March 1998.