Dessert: Mexican Chocolate and Dulce de Leche Crêpe Torte

Recipe by Grace Parisi This is more than just a chocolate cake. Thin crepes are layered with cinnamon-spiked chocolate and caramely dulce de leche to produce a showstopping torte.

This recipe includes fertility superfoods such as:

Cinnamon

Health and fertility benefits of Mexican Chocolate and Dulce de Leche Crêpe Torte

Cinnamon is one of the best ingredients that someone with insulin sensitivity can eat. Half a teaspoon of cinnamon per day has been shown to be very effective at normalizing blood sugar levels. Cinnamon contains hydroxychalcone, which is thought to enhance the effects of insulin. It has also been suggested that Cinnamon prevents post-meal blood sugar spikes by slowing the gastric emptying rate - meaning that food digests slowly. (Reference: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11506060).

Ingredients

2 c. all-purpose flour
2 tbsp. granulated sugar
pinch of salt
2 1/2 c. plus 2 tablespoons milk
1 tsp. pure vanilla extract
6 large eggs
4 tbsp. melted butter
1 c. plus 2 tablespoons heavy cream
10 oz. bittersweet chocolate
1 tsp. cinnamon
4 large egg yolks
1 1/2 c. dulce de leche (see Note)
confectioner's sugar

Instructions

In a medium bowl, whisk the flour with the granulated sugar and salt. Whisk in the milk, vanilla, 6 whole eggs and the 4 tablespoons of melted butter and let stand for 30 minutes.
Heat a 10-inch nonstick skillet and lightly brush with melted butter. Pour 1/3 cup of the crêpe batter into the skillet and immediately swirl until it reaches halfway up the side. Pour any excess batter back into the bowl. Cook the crêpe over moderate heat until golden at the edge and set in the center, about 1 minute. Flip the crêpe and cook for about 15 seconds longer, or just until the bottom is browned in spots. Transfer the crêpe to a baking sheet lined with wax paper. Repeat with the remaining batter, brushing the skillet with butter only as needed.
In a medium saucepan, bring 1 cup of the cream to a boil. Remove the pan from the heat and add the chocolate and cinnamon. Let stand for 5 minutes, then whisk until smooth. Whisk in 2 of the egg yolks. In a medium bowl, whisk the dulce de leche with the remaining 2 tablespoons of cream and 2 egg yolks.
Preheat the oven to 350 °F. Butter a 9-inch round cake pan, line the bottom with parchment paper and butter the paper. Fit a crêpe in the bottom of the pan, pressing to flatten it. Halve 2 crêpes and line the sides of the pan with them, placing the cut sides down and slightly overlapping the bottom crêpe; the rounded part of the halved crêpes will hang over the edge of the pan a bit.
Spoon a slightly heaping 1/2 cup of the chocolate filling into the pan and spread to the edge of the crêpe. Top with another crêpe, pressing to flatten it. Spoon a slightly heaping 1/2 cup of the dulce de leche filling on top, spread it to the edge and top with a crêpe. Repeat this layering with the remainder of the fillings and 4 more crêpes, ending with a crêpe. Any leftover crêpes can be frozen between sheets of wax paper for later use. Fold the overhanging crêpes over the top. Press a round of buttered parchment paper directly onto the torte and cover the pan with foil.
Bake the torte for 1 hour, or until puffed. Remove the foil and let cool for 1 hour. Remove the parchment and run a knife around the edge of the pan. Invert a plate over the pan and then invert the torte onto the plate. Remove the pan and parchment paper and let cool completely. Sift confectioner's sugar over the torte just before serving.
Make Ahead: The baked torte can be refrigerated for up to 2 days. Reheat slightly in a 350 °F oven.
Notes: Dulce de leche is a caramel-like boiled sweetened milk. Smuckers is a good supermarket brand. Turning crêpes with a spatula often causes them to break. The easiest way to flip them is with your fingers. Use a spatula or a table knife to lift up the edge, then gently pick up the crêpe and flip it over.

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