Min Halas Chocolate Ice Box Cake

I know that in my previous post I stated that I'm not a big dessert person. Many recipes are changing my mind these days; here is a new one!

I stayed with my cousin Angie in Chicago and we made a new cake, which was great. Well, she made the cake and I watched and bossed her around! I love this recipe because there is no baking, which is perfect for all the unexpected warm weather that we have in the Midwest. This cake recipe was courtesy of my Aunt Lyn (hi there – miss you and looking forward to seeing you at some point this year!) I’m not sure how long she’s had this recipe, but she is one of the best bakers I know, so I’m sure it’s been in her back pocket for quite awhile. Growing up, she was the one who made most desserts (if not all desserts) for all family gatherings and birthdays. What other great recipes do you have hiding Aunt Lyn? I remember a very good chocolate sheet-type cake!!!

I love cooking with other people because I learn what they don’t know. I have been taking cooking classes for several years and because of this, I forget to detail the basics. I know what to do in many cases, or I know things to substitute, and I forget what beginners don’t know. Angie is a great cook (even though she doesn’t think so) because she follows the directions, but the directions need to be very specific! Cooking with her made me realize that I probably need to be more specific in cooking directions on this blog. I am always looking for feedback, so drop me a line if you don’t understand how to make something. Also, contact me if there is a recipe that you’re looking for and I’ll try to help you out since I have more than I know what to do with.

Note for this recipe: Do NOT purchase hard ladyfingers, you need soft ladyfingers. If you try to make this with hard ladyfingers, they will float to the top when you pour in the first half of the chocolate. It really just destroys the cake, but the chocolate really would be good on anything!



Cake after it sat overnight and was removed from the springform pan.
I would have taken a better side profile photo, but I was in too big of a hurry to eat the cake!



Min Halas Chocolate Ice Box Cake

- 2 dozen ladyfingers (2 pkgs.) (soft ladyfingers, not hard)
- 1 bag (about 12 oz) chocolate chips
- 3 TBS water
- 4 eggs, separated
- 1 tsp vanilla
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1 cup whipping cream
 
In a double-boiler melt chocolate chips, water and salt. If you do not have a double boiler, simple ingredients in a glass bowl over a small saucepan of boiling water. Make sure the boiling water does not touch the glass bowl. Cool for a few minutes.

Take a spoonful of the chocolate and stir it into the egg yolks. You do this step to ensure that you don’t dump the egg yolks into the hot chocolate and end up with scrambled eggs. Yes, this really does happen!

In a bowl, beat the egg whites with mixer until peaks form. Fold into chocolate mixture. In a bowl (can use the same one as egg whites) whip the whipping cream and vanilla. Fold into chocolate mixture.
 

In a springform pan, layer one package of ladyfingers onto bottom. (You want the ladyfingers to cover the entire bottom. Top with half of the chocolate mixture. Layer the other package of ladyfingers on the chocolate. Top with other half of chocolate mixture. Cover and refrigerate overnight.