Nana José’s Chocolate Pecan Cake

Nana José’s Chocolate Pecan Cake
Darren Higgins for The New York Times
Total Time
50 minutes
Rating
5(307)
Comments
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A Passover flourless chocolate pecan torte, served with berries sweetened with shaved piloncillo, raw Mexican brown sugar, and flavored with lime juice. —Joan Nathan

Featured in: A Taste of Passover, With a Mexican Accent

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Ingredients

Yield:8 to 10 servings

    For the Cake

    • ¼cup plus 1 tablespoon unsalted butter or pareve margarine
    • 6ounces bittersweet chocolate
    • 1cup pecans
    • 6large eggs
    • 1teaspoon vanilla extract
    • 1cup sugar
    • Dash of salt

    For the Garnish

    • 3tablespoons grated piloncillo sugar or brown sugar
    • Finely grated zest of 1 lime
    • Juice of 2 limes (about ¼ cup juice)
    • 1pint strawberries, washed, hulled and halved
    • 1pint blackberries, washed
    • Lightly sweetened whipped cream, optional
Ingredient Substitution Guide
Nutritional analysis per serving (10 servings)

363 calories; 21 grams fat; 8 grams saturated fat; 0 grams trans fat; 9 grams monounsaturated fat; 3 grams polyunsaturated fat; 43 grams carbohydrates; 5 grams dietary fiber; 36 grams sugars; 6 grams protein; 63 milligrams sodium

Note: The information shown is Edamam’s estimate based on available ingredients and preparation. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.

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Preparation

  1. Step 1

    For cake: Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line a 9-inch springform pan with parchment paper and grease with 1 tablespoon butter.

  2. Step 2

    Using a double boiler or pan over simmering water, melt together chocolate and remaining ¼ cup butter. Set aside to cool.

  3. Step 3

    Using a blender, chop pecans finely. Add eggs, vanilla, sugar, salt and melted chocolate mixture, blending until smooth. Pour batter into pan and bake until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean, 40 to 45 minutes; cake should be moist but not wet. Allow to cool completely.

  4. Step 4

    For the garnish: In a large mixing bowl, combine piloncillo or brown sugar, lime zest and lime juice. Add strawberries and blackberries, and toss gently. Just before serving, toss again and spoon on top of cake. If desired, serve with lightly sweetened whipped cream.

Ratings

5 out of 5
307 user ratings
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Comments

This is just a fantastic recipe. I've made it several times now and it's excellent each time. The last time I browned the butter to bring out the nutty flavor even more.

This cake is delicious! I have made it several times, even get requests for it now. I make it just as described except I use a silicone bundt cake pan in order to get the fancy top. Of course the ingredients don't begin to fill the mold, but it makes a pretty ring of chocolate cake to serve. The ingredients can be doubled using the same pan and temperature. Check with toothpick for doneness.

I forgot to mention, I made this recipe once using my blender and it was great. However, my blender died while trying to make this recipe for the second time, so I use my food processor for it now and it works even better. For comparison’s sake, my blender was old and basic, with just an on-off switch and an aluminum cup, so you’ll probably be fine if you have a fancy one.

I don’t usually like fruit with chocolate but this was delish! Made for a Mother’s Day picnic and everyone raved about it. Only had a 10 inch pan, so shortened the cooking time. Whipped the cream with lime zest and no sugar. Perfect!

Loved the addition of the fruit & lime with the chocolate

Fantastic recipe. Love this cake! I’ve now made it dozens of times: easy, light flourless cake. I use my food processor, don’t have a blender

@Skeleton. Should I line the sides with parchment paper? Should I cool it completely before removing it from the pan?

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Credits

Adapted from Patricia Jinich

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