The original chocolate castella cake recipe is an Italian dessert made from layers of sponge cake soaked in coffee-flavored liqueur.
It was created in 1887 by Giovanni Pirelli and named after the famous melody sung in the opera La Traviata.
There are many variations of this dish today, with some using ricotta or mascarpone as opposed to whipped cream.
The cake is also called tiramisu cake, not to be confused with tiramisu, a dessert made from ladyfingers dipped in coffee, cream, and chocolate.
What Is Chocolate Castella Cake?
The original recipe is one of only two Italian recipes in The World’s Best Chocolate by Donald and Marjorie Wood.
They include it as one of the “truculent or sullen” cakes that Italians make because they prefer the dense texture and rich flavor of the sponge to the lighter cake made with condensed milk.
How To Prepare Chocolate Castella Cake Recipe?
Preparation Time: 30 min
Cooking Time: 45 min
Serving Size: 16 slices
Ingredients For Chocolate Castella Cake Recipe:
For The Sponge Cake:
- 12 egg whites
- 3/4 cup (1 ½ sticks) of unsalted butter
- 6 egg yolks
- 3/4 cup sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon salt (optional) for the ganache sauce:
- 6 ounces semisweet
- 1 tablespoon light cream or milk
- 2 tablespoons sugar
For The Coffee Syrup:
- 2 cups pounded coffee beans
- 1 cup simple syrup
- pinch of salt
- 1 1/2 cups water
Directions For Chocolate Castella Cake Recipe:
For Cake:
1. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F (177 degrees C). Place a rack in the center of the oven.
2. In a bowl, whisk the egg whites until foamy. Gradually add the sugar and whisk until soft peaks form.
3. Gradually add the butter and continue to beat until soft and white, about 3 minutes.
4. Spoon into a well-buttered baking pan or a pastry bag fitted with a plain tip. Bake at preheated oven temperature until golden brown, about 35 minutes.
Cool in pan on a rack for 15 minutes; remove to rack to cool completely before cutting the cake into 16 slices.
For The Coffee Syrup:
1. Combine all ingredients in a saucepan, simmer over medium heat until sugar is dissolved, then cook over medium heat gently, and don’t boil the syrup. Remove from heat and let cool to room temperature.
2. Pour syrup into a bowl and refrigerate until cold, then pour into a jar with a tight-fitting lid and store in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Nutrition Facts Of Chocolate Castella Cake Recipe
- Calories: 538
- Calories from Fat: 124
- Total Fat: 13 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Cholesterol: 135 mg
- Sodium: 532 mg
- Potassium: 122 mg
- Total Carbohydrates: 80 g
- Sugars: 55 g
- Protein: 11 g
7 Essential Health Benefits Of Chocolate Castella Cake Recipe
1. Helps Maintain Healthy Cholesterol Levels
Like most people, you probably wish to have healthy cholesterol levels. The levels of this vital enzyme can be adversely affected by factors such as stress, alcohol consumption, and some types of food.
2. Helps Protect against Parkinson’s Disease
Research studies have shown that people who consume coffee are less likely to suffer from the effects of Parkinson’s disease.
These studies show that coffee effectively reduces the risk of this disease, even in its early stages.
3. Helps Prevent Alzheimer’s Disease
Coffee has been shown to affect the incidence of Alzheimer’s disease positively. Preliminary studies suggest that caffeine protects the brain cells from damage, reducing the risk of this age-related disorder.
4. Increases Energy Levels
A study conducted on mice showed that those who were given coffee had a significantly greater amount of endurance than those mice who were not given coffee.
The caffeine in this drink increased their fat-burning ability, allowing them to exercise longer and burn more calories.
5. Lowers Risk Of Type 2 Diabetes
Multiple studies suggest that coffee drinkers have a significantly lower risk of type 2 diabetes. They also have a lower risk of heart attacks and strokes.
6. Helps Reduce The Risk Of Prostate Cancer
Multiple studies have suggested that regular consumers of coffee are less likely to suffer from prostate cancer and certain types of other cancers.
It has also been linked to a reduced risk of colon cancer in women and bladder cancer in both men and women.
7. Helps Prevent Cancer
In a study conducted on mice, researchers found that regular coffee consumption helped them stay free from the effects of cancer.
This was because it lowered the levels of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in their bodies and also caused a decrease in tumor development.
Is Castella Cake From Japan Or Taiwan?
The Castella cake was developed in Japan during the Meiji era (1868-1912) by Bangashikagaku Kiko. It was introduced in Taiwan in the 1920s and has become a widely loved dessert throughout Taiwan.
It is also very popular in Hawaii and is still widely made in local home kitchens. Local restaurants frequently feature this dessert, usually decorated with a pile of whipped cream on top.
Why Is Castella Cake Famous?
The first coffee house in Rome was opened near the Spanish Steps by a Sicilian called Narcissus, who had just arrived in the city with a shipment of Arabica beans.
The coffee houses became very popular among the young upper classes, and poets such as Giacomo Fazio and Annibale Caro were inspired to write sonnets about them.
The name of this cake comes from the catchy melody that came to be identified with this cake.
What Is The Difference Between Sponge Cake And Castella Cake?
Sponge cake is a soft cake made by whisking together beaten eggs, butter, and sugar. It is generally used to make desserts such as sachertorte, cheesecake, and tiramisu.
It is also called light sponge cake or pound cake because it is made with beaten eggs and a little flour.
What Makes A Cake Soft And Fluffy?
The main characteristic of a cake that makes it soft and fluffy is the addition of beaten eggs. The protein in eggs thickens when heated, trapping air inside the batter but making it flexible enough to rise.
The egg proteins also act as emulsifiers, keeping the fat in the mixture from separating and producing a higher-quality cake.
Does Castella Cake Need To Be Refrigerated?
In Taiwan, the traditional way to prepare castella cake is to store it in a refrigerator for about three days. However, since commercial refrigerators are not used in this region, you should store your castella cake at room temperature.
Conclusion
The chocolate castella cake recipe has a distinct aroma and flavor that you will love. It is a well-loved dessert in Taiwan and other countries as well.
It is easy to make at home and delivers great value for your health and budget. If you are looking for a healthy substitute, try the castella cake recipe today and see how much you love it!
