Chocolate Torte with Frangelico, Rasberries and Whipped Cream

Firstly I must say after devouring a piece of this, that this recipe is “to die for”.  My kids and I all loved it – a definate keeper for sure…now I only wish I had made two!

This recipe is courtesy of Best of Bridge.  The only alteration that I made was to substitute Frangelico (a hazelnut liquor) for the Grand Marnier.  Personally I don’t care for the chocolate/orange flavour combination, but if you do, by all means use Grand Marnier for this or even Orange Juice if you don’t want to use alcohol.  I personally love Frangelico, so I went with this instead.

I don’t often make desserts – but I have been eyeing this recipe up for over a year now and decided to finally give it a shot.  My girlfriend Dodie was here for coffee, everytime she is here, I am usually cooking something in the kitchen so I was putting her to work beating egg yolks, etc.  Although..I did save her a piece for her hard labour!
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For the Torte – prepare a springform pan with parchment (cut to make a circle on the bottom), I also spray with Pam (or non-stick spray).  Preheat oven to 375C.

 – 2/3 cup ground almonds
 – 3 Tbsp flour
 – Pinch of Salt
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 – 3/4 cup butter
 – 1/3 cup cocoa powder
– 1/2 cup sugar
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 – 3 eggs, seperated
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 – 1/2 cup sugar
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 – 3 Tbsp of Frangelico (or other liquor)

Toppings:
 – Whipped cream (spiked with a bit a liquor)
 – Rasberries, fresh
 – Chocolate shavings (use your veggie peeler) – and a good dark chocolate

 – Melt butter in saucepan and stir in cocoa and sugar.
 – In a large bowl beat egg yolks until thick, gradually blend in cocoa mixture. Stir in almond mixture.
 – In a seperate bowl, beat egg whites until stiff.  Gradually add sugar.  Fold egg whites into chocolate mixture (carefully).
  – Pour in prepared pan and bake at 375F for 25-30 mins until toothpick comes out clean.
 – Let cool about 10 mins and gently run a knife around sides of pan and remove from spring form pan.
 – Drizzle liquor over top
–  Once completely cool top with whipped cream in the centre and rasberries on top.

Delish – and great presentation for company.