Bonjour! Just finished reading On Rue Tatin, Susan Loomis’ story of her family’s move to a town in Normandy, where they renovated a 12th century Convent to make their home and immersed themselves in the luxury of French cooking. The book is studded with recipes. Here is her favorite chocolate cake! It’s sort of a cross between a brownie and a chocolate souffle!
FRENCH CHOCOLATE CAKE
(Originally known as “Gateau au Chocolate de Mamie Jacqueline”)
7 oz. bittersweet chocolate, chopped (a rounded cup full)
1/2 cup butter (1 stick), at room temperature
1 cup sugar
4 eggs, separated
pinch salt
3/4 cup flour
1/4 tsp. salt
powdered sugar for garnish
Melt the chocolate in a large microwave proof mixing bowl– about 90 seconds. Stir until smooth. If the chocolate still has lumps, microwave it 10 seconds more and stir again. Then immediately stir in the butter so it will melt with the warm chocolate.
When that is all blended, whisk in 1 cup of sugar (minus 1 tablespoon of sugar saved for later). Next mix in the flour and 1/4 teaspoon of salt until it is all combined.
Separate the eggs, putting the yolks into the bowl with the chocolate mixture and the whites into another clean mixing bowl. Stir in the egg yolks. And then whisk the eggs white along with the tablespoon of sugar and pinch of salt– until the egg whites are glossy and soft peaks form. (The whisk attachment on my hand mixer worked well, took a little over 4 minutes)
Fold he egg whites into the chocolate cake batter until it is thoroughly blended and then spoon it into a 9″ cake pan that has been sprayed with cooking spray.
Bake it up at 375 degrees for 30 to 35 minutes until the cake is firm to the touch and sharp knife inserted comes out clean.
Let the cake cool to lukewarm and then shift powdered sugar over the top of the cake. So good warm with a bit of ice cream!
Susan Loomis sort of has my dream life– She moved to Paris as a young woman and attended La Varenne École de Cuisine, a cooking school for Americans. She found friends and small shops with tempting foods all over the city. Later when she returned home she met, loved and married a sculptor, Michael Loomis and eventually the two found their way back to France where they purchased an ancient convent building in Louviers, a charming town in Normandy. It took a long a grueling renovation to make the place a home for them and their small son. But through the years they encountered a large circle of people, from the surly priest next door to warm shop keepers, farmers at the market, the florist sisters across the street and many others who became close friends. I was totally charmed by the book, wanted to write to Susan and ask if I could drop in and stay for the summer! If you like glorious food, beautiful countryside, and wandering cobbled streets, I think you’d like this book as much as I have.
P.S. Each chapter includes recipes from the author, including a version of this cake!
Definitely need to try both cake and book. Thanks Rhonda
Hey Rosie– I have the book (picked it up at a thrift store). Wish I could drop it by for you!! It will definitely make you want to jump over to Normandy! And– pinning your ginger cake recipe Rosie! Looks perfect! hugs hugs.
Snap! Have ordered book from second hand store. Can’t wait to read it. Food threaded through stories is so evocative I always find. Have you read Madhur Jaffreys book – Climbing the Mango Trees?
Hey Rosie– I’ve read reviews of the Mango Tree book, but haven’t read it– Just jotted it down on my books to track down list! I tend to really like Indian writers and this sounds intriguing! thanks! Happy reading!! xox
The book sounds wonderful Rhonda, as does that divine sounding chocolate soufflé cake.
thanks Miriam! So fun to hear from you– just jumped over the catch up a bit on your blog!! xox
A ancient convent restored into a home, cool. I think people turning old school houses into homes have it rough, must be an interesting read.
Hi Chris– it was an enjoyable book! Love your pics of the Field Museum!! xo
Sounds like a brilliant read! The cake looks wonderful and I love the pictures. I can imagine it was fun to make this recipe. I am going to check this out.
Hi Lisa! The book was enjoyable– took it with me on my trip to visit our SF kids, so I had a lot of airport reading time… Wish I could drop it off for you to read! xo
This looks so delicious!
Thanks– Olive? Maple?? wish I knew your name to say thanks. Am really enjoying your blog. Pulled up your closet cleaning post to get at it this week!! thanks.
Thanks! Would love to hear how it goes! 🙂
I’ll let you know!
Ok, I am sure now that eating this chocolate cake and reading a great book is my dream for this weekend. Thank you for your words and inspiring photos! xo
ha ha ha Debra! Baking and reading sounds like a perfect weekend to me! How has your weekend been?? Get in some running? Have missed your posts recently– hope all’s going well… xo
Great weekend here. Baked “Pockets of Love” with a group of children at my church, which were little pastries with hearts on top, and strawberry filling. Delicious. Great run yesterday on sunny bright snow. Longing for Spring with all my heart!! xo
Wow Debra– what a fun project with the kids. I think baking together is a wonderful way to spend time, talking, mixing and eating! Love your ideas and the way you take care of people… xox
Thank you Rhonda, yes it’s so fun to bake with kids, and see their delight, and then be able to help them serve the goodies to our community. Win-win-win! 🙂
Admire your care for people Debra. xo
What a great post, Rhonda! Thank you for introducing us to this book…it definitely sounds like something I’ll enjoy! Can’t wait to read it myself! That cake sounds amazing – and being chocolate, even more special! Hope you’re feeling fine now! Have a blessed weekend! Xoxo
Hey Daisy– and how about you?? Are you feeling all back to normal? The book was fun– I took it along on the trip to see kids (lots of airport time to read). How is your weekend going?? Are you traveling or close to home? hugs hugs friend.
The book and the dish sounds delish.
Hi Lacey! thanks. And guess what!! The Aldi by our house finally opened and they sent me a $5 off coupon! So I’m going this week. Let you know what I find. Hope you are feeling back to your old self. And– loved the Autism article for the OK Moms blog. So much helpful information and so encouraging! You are awesome. xox
Woohooo!!! I’m excited for you. And in a completely nerdy way can’t wait to hear about what you find.
I’ll send you my shopping successes!! xo
I’ll be eagerly awaiting 🙂
Thanks for sharing that chocolate cake recipe. Yum! And the “On Rue Tatin” book is going to be a book that I definitely am going to try to find. What a nice post!
Thanks Linny!! I have a copy from the thrift store– wish I could pass it on to you!! ANd– love your February posts– those snow photos!!! xox
Hi Rhonda – I am soooooo putting this on my reading list. Am reading Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste NG right now and I cannot put it down. It is very snowy here, we got about a foot and more is expected today so I am attempting croissants from scratch for the first time, not for StateEats, just for fun. Have a great weekend xoxox – Kat
Hey Kat! I keep seeing that book come up on good books lists– so with your recommendation I’m putting it on my track down list! thanks. And– You are so intrepid!! making croissants!! If you don’t post them (and you could!!) I want to hear how they come out! You just moved up 3 notches on the cook scale!! Happy Baking!! hugs!
Oh … This cake sounds wonderful. I am interested in making it!
Oh thanks. I hope you like it!!
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What a yummy looking cake, Rhonda! Chocolate is my favorite! I love enchanting books with recipes in the chapters. Under the Tuscan Sun is like that, about a woman who moves to Italy following her divorce. Thanks for sharing the cake and interesting looking book! Hugs dear friend😉💗💗💗💗
Oh, I enjoyed the Tuscan Sun book too Mary! Made me want to travel to Italy!! And agree– who doesn’t love chocolate?? xox
Blessings to you, Rhonda!💜💜💜
Oh my goodness. Is this cake as good as your GF cookies?
OK, can I be honest?? I think the cookies are better. But this is lovely if you need just a little chocolate cake to round out the day… hugs Lisa!!
Ha. I love it.
What a delicious cake! I wish I could get a piece 🙂 As my kitchen is still in process of being sorted out 😀 But… I am getting there and today, I may prepare finally a proper food in our new kitchen! 🙂 Lot of hugs, Rhonda! You are an amazing baker!
Hooray for meals in the new kitchen! That is sort of momentous! Hope it feels like home. hugs from here!
Ah yes… I have already properly started in new kitchen! And it feels really good 🙂 Cannot wait to share with you! Regards from rainy UK 🙂
Hi Vero– did you made those “molletes” in the new kitchen. They look so yummy! hugs hugs!
Hello Rhonda! Not yet, but it is on the list for upcoming weekend 🙂 My mum is coming to visit us for weekend, so… 🙂 She can try something Mexican as well (non – spicy version). Hugs hugs!!!
Yeah for Mom Visits!! I’m sure she is so excited to be with you all. No matter how big your kids grow, you still want time with them… (I’m at my daughter’s house in Wisconsin right now–snow!!). Hope Canito has lots of grandma fun!! xox
That is so true, Rhonda! 🙂 He is enjoying time with her a lot! And I wish you a great time with your daughter! Take care ❤
That book does sound charming and of course the cake looks yummy, too.
Hi Marcia! Yep, it’s a gentle easy book– but takes you to a lovely place so I really enjoyed it! What are you reading?? xox
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I love to travel and I have just moved recently, so I might consider reading “On Rue Tatin”. I am a big chocolate person so might try the cake one day when I have time to make it.
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