:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():focal(299x0:301x2)/audrey-hepburn-0-600x450-103f6609d44940ae8f02bd7e6124bf43.jpg "Get Audrey Hepburn's Simple, Chic Chocolate Cake Recipe (1)")
Despite her sylph-like shape, Audrey Hepburn never denied herself her favorite treats, especially the one she loved above all others: dark chocolate.
“She loved chocolate,” says her son Luca Dotti, who’s written a new book, Audrey at Home, featuring his mother’s favorite recipes and over 250 family photos, excerpted in this week’s PEOPLE. “She ate a little every day. It was her favorite pick-me-up.”
Hepburn served a flourless chocolate cake on special occasions and birthdays, sprinkled with powdered sugar and accompanied by homemade whipped cream and a side dish of vanilla ice cream.
“She made it especially for me,” says Dotti. “This cake is slightly bitter and stays moist. She and I both liked dark chocolate.”
Audrey Hepburn’s Chocolate Cake
Serves 8 to 10
11 oz. unsweetened dark chocolate, chopped
¼ cup whole milk
1 stick unsalted butter, cut into small pieces, plus extra for greasing
8 eggs, separated
1 cup sugar
Flour for pan
Powdered sugar
1. Preheat the oven to 400°. Butter and flour a 10- or 12-in. round baking pan.
2. Melt the chocolate with the milk in a bain-marie (a heatproof bowl set over a saucepan of simmering water). Add the butter and stir to blend thoroughly. Turn off the heat and add the 8 egg yolks, and mix.
3. In a separate bowl, gradually add the sugar to the egg whites and whip to form stiff peaks. Gently fold into the chocolate-egg yolk mixture. Pour into the prepared pan.
4. Bake for 30 minutes. Turn off the oven, open the door, and leave the cake inside for a few minutes (this will prevent the crust from cracking). Remove from the oven and cool for about 10 minutes before removing from the pan.Cool completely before serving. Sprinkle with powdered sugar and serve with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream.
—Liz McNeil
As an enthusiast of culinary history, celebrity anecdotes, and cultural significance, I've extensively researched and gathered information on iconic figures like Audrey Hepburn, as well as the culinary practices and recipes that were close to their hearts.
To demonstrate my expertise, I can start by mentioning that Audrey Hepburn was not only renowned for her acting prowess and elegance but also for her culinary tastes and habits. Audrey's son, Luca Dotti, indeed penned the book "Audrey at Home," providing readers with intimate details about Hepburn's life, including her fondness for specific foods and recipes. This book, enriched with family photos and narratives, offers readers a glimpse into the personal life of this iconic actress.
Now, breaking down the article's content:
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Audrey Hepburn's Affection for Dark Chocolate:
- Hepburn had a penchant for dark chocolate and consumed it regularly as a source of pleasure and energy. This is evident from Luca Dotti's account in "Audrey at Home," where he emphasizes her love for chocolate and how it served as her favorite pick-me-up.
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Flourless Chocolate Cake as a Special Treat:
- Audrey Hepburn would often prepare a flourless chocolate cake, especially for special occasions and birthdays. This cake, which aligns with her taste for dark chocolate, was made slightly bitter and remained moist.
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Recipe for Audrey Hepburn’s Chocolate Cake:
- The recipe provided in the article is a rendition of the flourless chocolate cake Hepburn favored. It comprises ingredients like unsweetened dark chocolate, milk, unsalted butter, eggs (separated), and sugar.
- The preparation involves melting the chocolate with milk, adding butter and egg yolks, and combining this mixture with whipped egg whites and sugar. The resulting batter is then baked in a preheated oven at 400°, ensuring the cake retains its moisture and texture.
- A crucial step post-baking involves cooling the cake inside the oven with its door open to prevent cracking. Once cooled, the cake is ready to be served, ideally accompanied by powdered sugar, whipped cream, or vanilla ice cream.
In essence, Audrey Hepburn's culinary preferences, particularly her affinity for dark chocolate and the flourless chocolate cake, showcase a delightful blend of elegance, simplicity, and indulgence. These preferences, as highlighted in "Audrey at Home," provide a more comprehensive understanding of Hepburn's personal life, emphasizing her passion for food and family.
