Passover dark chocolate nut cake

10 servings

Ingredients

QuantityIngredient
10To 12 eggs
3ouncesUnsweetened chocolate
½cupSemisweet chocolate pieces
cupSugar
2cupsVery finely chopped almonds or pecans
¾teaspoonPure vanilla
¼teaspoonAlmond extract
¼cupSugar
DARK CHOCOLATE GLAZE:
1cupSemisweet chocolate pieces
1teaspoonButter or margarine
½teaspoonInstant coffee crystals
1tablespoonHot water
3tablespoonsDairy sour cream
¼teaspoonMaple flavoring

Directions

Servings: 10 to 15

DIRECTIONS: Set a large mixer bowl in a sink filled with 2 inches of warm water. Separate eggs (you should have about 1½ cups whites).

Pour the whites into the warm mixer bowl and place yolks in a smaller mixer bowl (or let separated eggs stand, covered, at room temperature for 30 minutes).

Meanwhile, in a small, heavy saucepan, partially melt unsweetened chocolate and semisweet chocolate pieces over low heat. Turn off heat and stir (chocolate will continue to melt).

Cut a waxed paper liner for the bottom of a 10" tube pan, cutting it ½" wider than the pan and the center hole slightly larger than the tube. Grease pan thoroughly. Place liner in pan and grease liner.

Beat egg yolks with an electric mixer on high speed for about 4 minutes or till they're thick and lemon colored. Add the ⅔ cup sugar, beating till very thick. Stir in the melted chocolate and chopped nuts.

Thoroughly wash and dry beaters. Beat egg whites with vanilla and almond extract till foamy. Gradually add the ¼ cup sugar to egg whites, beating till soft peaks form.

Lighten egg yolk mixture with about 2 cups beaten egg whites. Add to the remaining egg white mixture and fold together to combine. Turn batter into prepared pan.

Bake at 350-F for about 40 minutes or till top springs back when lightly touched. Run a knife around the edge of the pan and center to loosen. Cool in pan for 1 hour. Invert onto cake plate. Remove waxed paper.

Prepare glaze; spread over top and sides of cake.

Dark Chocolate Glaze: In a small heavy saucepan or skillet, melt chocolate over low heat. Remove from heat and stir in butter or margarine. In a small bowl, dissolve instant coffee in hot water.

Stir in the sour cream and maple flavoring. Add sour cream mixture to chocolate, stirring till smooth and shiny. Makes ¾ cup.

Source: Midwest Living Magazine, April 1991 From: Sallie Austin