Ingredients:
- 4 Large Eggs, room temperature, separated
- 1 cup Granulated Sweetener Blend (Erythritol/Monk Fruit blend)
- 1 cup Finely milled Almond Flour, tightly packed
- ¼ cup Coconut Flour
- 1 tsp Baking Powder
- ¼ tsp Sea Salt
- 4 Tbsp (½ stick) Unsalted Butter, melted and slightly cooled
- 1 tsp Vanilla Extract
- 2 cups Heavy Cream (Double Cream)
- 6 Large Egg Yolks
- ⅓ cup + 2 Tbsp Granulated Sweetener Blend (for custard)
- 1 Tbsp Vanilla Bean Paste or Extract
- ¼ tsp Xanthan Gum
- Pinch of Salt
- 1 Tbsp Unsalted Butter, cold, cut into cubes (for custard)
- 3 oz Sugar-Free Dark Chocolate (Minimum 85% cocoa)
- ¼ cup Heavy Cream (for glaze)
- 1 Tbsp Unsalted Butter (for glaze)
- 5-10 drops Liquid Stevia or Monk Fruit Drops (to taste)
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line an 8-inch round cake pan with parchment paper.
- Sift almond flour, coconut flour, baking powder, and salt together in a bowl. Set aside.
- Whip the 4 egg whites until soft peaks form. Gradually add half of the sweetener until stiff, glossy peaks (meringue) are achieved. Set aside.
- In a separate large bowl, whisk the 4 egg yolks, the remaining sweetener, and vanilla until the mixture is pale and thick (ribbons form).
- Gently fold the dry ingredients into the yolk mixture in two additions, mixing until just combined.
- Slowly drizzle the slightly cooled melted butter down the side of the bowl, folding gently until fully incorporated. Do not overmix.
- Carefully fold the meringue into the batter in three equal additions until no streaks of white remain. Pour batter into the prepared pan.
- Bake for 25–30 minutes, or until a skewer comes out clean. Cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then invert onto a wire rack. Allow the cake to cool completely (approx. 1 hour) before slicing.
- For the Pastry Cream: In a medium saucepan, heat the heavy cream and vanilla bean paste over medium heat until just simmering.
- In a separate bowl, whisk the egg yolks, sweetener, and salt until pale. Whisk in the xanthan gum until fully incorporated.
- Temper the yolks by slowly ladling about one cup of the hot cream into the yolk mixture while whisking continuously.
- Pour the tempered mixture back into the saucepan. Whisk constantly over medium-low heat for 3–5 minutes until the cream thickens enough to coat the back of a spoon (175°F/80°C). Do not boil.
- Remove from heat. Whisk in the cold cubed butter until smooth. Press cling film directly onto the surface and chill completely in the refrigerator for at least 90 minutes.
- Prepare Glaze: Combine the chopped chocolate, heavy cream, and butter in a heatproof bowl. Heat using a double boiler or microwave until smooth and glossy. Stir in liquid sweetener to taste. Set aside to cool slightly until pourable yet thickened (like warm honey).
- Using a long serrated knife, carefully slice the fully cooled cake horizontally into two even layers.
- Place the bottom layer on the serving plate. Spread the fully chilled pastry cream evenly over the bottom layer.
- Place the top layer of cake gently over the filling. Pour the slightly cooled chocolate glaze over the top center, allowing it to slowly run down the sides.
- Refrigerate the assembled cake for 30 minutes to set the glaze before serving.