✨ The Story of the Suzy Cake
When the king of pastry elevates chocolate, the result borders on perfection. The Suzy Cake, named after Pierre Hermé’s dear friend who first introduced him to this marvel, is a tribute to cocoa in its purest form. Moist, dense, and deeply chocolatey, this iconic cake has won over dessert lovers with its deceptive simplicity and intense flavor.
Today, we’re sharing this gem for you to recreate at home — with our tips and a few creative variations.
📝 Ingredients (Serves 4 to 6)
· 250 g dark chocolate (at least 70%)
· 250 g unsalted butter
· 200 g granulated sugar
· 4 eggs
· 70 g all-purpose flour
👩🍳 Instructions
1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C).
2. Gently melt the chocolate and butter together in a double boiler or over very low heat.
3. In a mixing bowl, whisk the eggs with the sugar until light and fluffy.
4. Gently fold in the melted chocolate, then sift in the flour and stir to combine.
5. Pour the batter into a buttered (or lined) cake pan.
6. Bake for 25 minutes — the center should remain soft.
⏱️ Baking tip : Keep a close eye on the final minutes. The center should still have a slight jiggle to retain that melt-in-your-mouth texture once cooled.
🍽️ Serving suggestion
📌 For an even more decadent experience, let the Suzy Cake rest in the fridge for a few hours before serving — it’ll become even richer and fudgier.
Top with a pinch of sea salt, a dollop of crème fraîche or vanilla ice cream… or serve with a handful of fresh berries for contrast.
🎂 Other indulgent twists
· Add chopped toasted hazelnuts or almonds for a subtle crunch.
· Stir in a splash of espresso into the melted chocolate to enhance the cocoa flavor.
🌀 Variations
• Vegan version : Replace the butter with high-quality plant-based margarine and use vegan egg substitutes (like applesauce, ground chia seeds, or store-bought egg replacers). Still incredibly fudgy!
• Gluten-free version : Use a gluten-free flour blend for baking, or mix rice flour with a bit of starch.
• Milk chocolate version : For a milder, sweeter taste, swap dark chocolate with milk chocolate (note: it will be less intense).
• Molten center version : Reduce the baking time slightly (20–22 min) and use a smaller pan for an extra gooey, molten center.
✅ Storing the Suzy Cake
· Keeps well at room temperature, covered or wrapped, in a cool, dry, dark place.
· It’s often even better the next day… if there’s any left!
· To store longer (up to 5 days), refrigerate it — but let it sit at room temperature for 30 minutes before serving to bring back its softness and richness.
🛠️ Recommended Tools
· Smeg “50’s” Hand Mixer in Black – HMF01BLEU : perfect for whipping eggs and sugar to fluffy perfection.
🔍 In a nutshell
A soft, fudgy, simple-yet-showstopping cake — a must-try for true chocolate lovers.
Have you made it yet? Share your thoughts with us! 🍫
