PASSOVER DARK CHOCOLATE NUT CAKE

FOR THE CAKE:
10 to 12 eggs
3 oz unsweetened chocolate
1/2 cup semisweet chocolate pieces
2/3 cup sugar
2 cups very finely chopped almonds or pecans
3/4 tsp pure vanilla
1/4 tsp almond extract
1/4 cup sugar
FOR THE DARK CHOCOLATE GLAZE:
1 cup semisweet chocolate pieces
1 tsp butter or margarine
1/2 tsp instant coffee crystals
1 tbsp hot water
3 tbsp dairy sour cream
1/4 tsp maple flavoring

TO MAKE THE CAKE:
Set a large mixer bowl in a sink filled with 2 inches of warm water. Separate eggs (you should have about 1 1/2 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).

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Cut a waxed paper liner for the bottom of a 10-inch tube pan, cutting it 1/2-inch 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 2/3 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 1/4 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 degrees 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.

TO MAKE THE 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 3/4 cup

Servings: 10 to 15
Source: Midwest Living Magazine, April 1991