I was given this recipe years ago by a friend, Susie Smith, and it is delicious. I'm not sure of its original source.
CHOCOLATE CHARLOTTE RUSSE CAKE
4 squares (4 oz) unsweetened chocolate
3/4 cup granulated sugar
1/3 cup whole milk
6 eggs, separated
1-1/2 cups unsalted butter
1-1/2 cups confectioners' sugar
1/8 teaspoon salt
1-1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
3 dozen ladyfingers, split
1 cup heavy cream, whipped
Shaved chocolate (I use semisweet)
Melt unsweetened squares on top of double boiler over hot water. Mix granulated sugar, milk and egg yolks. Add to chocolate and cook until smooth and thickened, stirring constantly. Cool. Cream butter well. Add 3/4 cup confectioners' sugar and cream thoroughly. Add chocolate mixture and beat well. Beat egg whites with salt until soft peaks form. Gradually beat in remaining 3/4 cup confectioners' sugar until stiff peak stage. Lighten chocolate mixture with about 1/4 of the beaten egg whites, then gently fold the remaining egg whites into the chocolate mixture. Add vanilla. Line a deep 9-inch springform pan with split ladyfingers, cut side facing in. Put in alternate layers of 1/3 of chocolate mixture and remaining ladyfingers. Chill overnight. Remove sides of springform and set on cake plate to serve. Garnish with whipped cream and shaved chocolate. Makes 12 servings.
CHOCOLATE CHARLOTTE RUSSE CAKE
4 squares (4 oz) unsweetened chocolate
3/4 cup granulated sugar
1/3 cup whole milk
6 eggs, separated
1-1/2 cups unsalted butter
1-1/2 cups confectioners' sugar
1/8 teaspoon salt
1-1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
3 dozen ladyfingers, split
1 cup heavy cream, whipped
Shaved chocolate (I use semisweet)
Melt unsweetened squares on top of double boiler over hot water. Mix granulated sugar, milk and egg yolks. Add to chocolate and cook until smooth and thickened, stirring constantly. Cool. Cream butter well. Add 3/4 cup confectioners' sugar and cream thoroughly. Add chocolate mixture and beat well. Beat egg whites with salt until soft peaks form. Gradually beat in remaining 3/4 cup confectioners' sugar until stiff peak stage. Lighten chocolate mixture with about 1/4 of the beaten egg whites, then gently fold the remaining egg whites into the chocolate mixture. Add vanilla. Line a deep 9-inch springform pan with split ladyfingers, cut side facing in. Put in alternate layers of 1/3 of chocolate mixture and remaining ladyfingers. Chill overnight. Remove sides of springform and set on cake plate to serve. Garnish with whipped cream and shaved chocolate. Makes 12 servings.