Il Cucinologo
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No-Bake Chocolate Cake

17/11/2023

The no-bake chocolate cake is a delicious dessert that requires no cooking, perfect for summer days or when you want something sweet and rich without turning on the oven. Here’s how to make it:

Ingredients

  • 200 g dry biscuits (such as Digestive)
  • 100 g melted butter
  • 250 g dark chocolate
  • 100 ml fresh liquid cream
  • 50 g icing sugar
  • 250 g mascarpone
  • 2 tablespoons chocolate or coffee liqueur (optional)
  • Cocoa powder as needed for decoration

Preparation

  1. Start with the base. Finely crush the biscuits in a food processor until they reach a sand-like consistency. Mix the melted butter with the crushed biscuits until the mixture is well combined.
  2. Line the bottom of a springform pan (preferably 22-24 cm in diameter) with parchment paper. Pour the biscuit and butter mixture into the pan and press firmly with the back of a spoon or your hands to create a compact base. Refrigerate for about 30 minutes to set.
  3. For the filling, break the dark chocolate into pieces and melt it in a bain-marie or microwave, being careful not to burn it. Let it cool slightly.
  4. In a bowl, beat the mascarpone with the icing sugar until smooth.
  5. Gently fold the fresh cream into the mascarpone mixture.
  6. Add the melted chocolate (ensuring it is not too hot) and, if desired, the liqueur to the mascarpone and cream mixture, combining everything with gentle upward folding motions.
  7. Pour the mixture over the chilled biscuit base and smooth with a spatula.
  8. Refrigerate the cake for at least 3-4 hours, preferably overnight, to allow the filling to stabilize and set.
  9. Before serving, dust the surface with cocoa powder for a final touch and even more intense flavor.

An Italian Touch:

To further enrich the cake, you can add chopped hazelnuts or dark chocolate shavings to the cream for a contrast in texture and a more complex flavor.

Fun Fact

The no-bake chocolate cake is a variation of the classic cheesecake and is very popular for its simplicity and versatility. Mascarpone adds an Italian touch to this dessert, which can be customized in endless ways.