This flourless chocolate and almond cake, called Gateau Reine de Saba in French, is a single-layer, moist, and slightly dense cake which is covered in a chocolate glaze and decorated with almond flakes. The whipped egg whites help the cake rise in the oven but it sinks as it cools, often leaving a cracked crust.
This French dessert is named after the legendary Queen of Sheba as it is “fit for a queen”. It was introduced to the United States by Julia Child and since then has been adapted and renamed by many pastry chefs.
Recipe below.