French Chocolate Hazelnut Cake

Yield: 8 to 10 servings

Ingredients

2 cups (12 ounce package) NESTLE TOLL HOUSE Semi-Sweet Chocolate Morsels, divided
3/4 cup granulated sugar
2/3 cup butter, softened
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon salt
3 large eggs, separated
1 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 cup hazelnut liqueur or milk
2/3 cup ground toasted hazelnuts, filberts or almonds
2 tablespoons granulated sugar
Glaze (recipe follows)

Heat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease and flour a 9 inch springform pan.
Microwave 1 cup morsels in medium, microwave-safe bowl on HIGH (100%) power for 1 minute; stir. Microwave at additional 10-20 second intervals, stirring until smooth. Cool to room temperature.
Beat 3/4 cup sugar, butter, vanilla extract and salt in large mixer bowl until creamy. Beat in melted chocolate and egg yolks. Add flour and liqueur; beat until smooth. Stir in hazelnuts.
Beat egg whites in small mixer bowl until soft peaks form. Gradually add 2 tablespoons sugar; beat until stiff peaks form. Fold into chocolate batter. Spread into prepared springform pan.
Bake for 35 to 40 minutes or until wooden pick inserted in center comes out still slightly moist.
Cool in pan for 15 minutes.
Loosen and remove side of pan. Invert onto wire rack to cool completely.
For the Glaze, heat 3 tablespoons butter, 2 tablespoons light corn syrup and 1 tablespoon water in small, heavy-duty saucepan over low heat, stirring constantly, until mixture just comes to a boil.
Remove from heat. Add remaining morsels; stir until smooth. Cool to room temperature.
Pour 3 tablespoons Glaze into small, heavy-duty plastic bag.
Pour remaining Glaze over cake; spread over top and sides. Allow to set for a few minutes.
Cut a tiny corner from bag; pipe reserved Glaze over cake.

Posted by luvtocook at Recipe Goldmine May 7, 2001.