Lucky us.  We got our hands on the infamous Cooking for Cher book.  It is chock full of healthy recipes to keep Cher fit on the road.  It is not particularly dessert heavy, but we were inspired by the Chocolate Cake recipe.  It is almost similar to a regular flourless chocolate cake 'cept for the addition of prunes.  Healthy prunes.  The prunes keep the cake moist and dense, but alas it is not really a great flavor booster...it has a slightly "diety" taste.  Should you make it?  Maybe.  Maybe as a diet food or just an homage to Cher.  We kind of picture her eating this backstage at Caesar Las Vegas after a particularly good show.  Without further ado we present you with the photos and recipes of the cake made at Baked by Eric.  Enjoy.

Cher’s Chocolate Fudge Torte (with Prunes)

1 tsp instant espresso powder
½ cup pitted prunes
¾ cup evaporated milk
1 ¼ cups cocoa powder
1 ¼ cups plus 2 Tbsp sugar
3 Tbsp flour
1 large egg, room temp
1 large egg yolk, room temp
1 tsp vanilla extract
2 large egg whites
1/8 tsp cream of tartar

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Coat an 8 x 2 springform pan with vegetable oil, and place a parchment circle on the bottom.

In a small cup, dissolve the espresso in 2 tsps hot water.  In a food processor, puls the prunes until pureed.  Keep processor running and slowly add the espresso mixture and the evaporated milk through the feed tube.  Process until smooth.

In a heavy bottomed saucepan, combine cocoa powder with 1 ¼ cups of the sugar and flour.  Add the prune puree and stir until dry ingredients are moistened.  Heat the mixture over low heat until it begins to thin and sugar is dissolved, 2 to 3 minutes.  Remove from heat to cool sligly.

In a small bowl, beat the egg, egg yolk and vanilla.  When the chocolate mixture is relatively cool, whisk in the egg mixture.  Set aside.

Use an electric mixture fitted with the whisk attachment and beat the egg whites until foamy.  Add the cream of tartar and beat until soft peaks form.  Beat in the 2 tablespoons of remaining sugar and beat until the whites are stiff but not dry.

Fold the egg whites into the chocolate mixture in two batches.

Pour batter into prepared pan and smooth to.

Set cake pan in larger baking pan and place in oven.  Pour boiling water into empty baking pan to reach halfway up the sides of the pan.  Bake for about 30 minutes.  Remove the cake from the oven and water bath and set aside on wire rack to cool.  Wrap and refrigerate overnight before serving.