Mocha Nut Torte

Total Time: 1 hr Preparation Time: 35 mins Cook Time: 25 mins

Ingredients

• 7 large eggs, seperated
• 1 cup granulated sugar, divided in half
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 1/4 cups walnuts, ground
• 1 1/4 cups pecans, ground
• 1/4 cup breadcrumbs, plain
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 3/4 teaspoon salt, divided
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1/2 cup confectioners' sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/4 cup butter, soft
• 4 (1 ounce) baker's chocolate squares
• 1/2 cup brewed coffee
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 3 cups confectioners' sugar
• pecan halves (optional)

Recipe

• 1 preheat oven to 375°; line three 9 inch round cake pans with waxed paper; set aside.
• 2 place egg whites in a large bowl and let stand at room temperature for 30 minutes.
• 3 in another mixing bowl, beat egg yolks until slightly thickened.
• 4 gradually add 1 cup of the granulated sugar beating until thick and lemon colored; beat in vanilla.
• 5 combine nuts, bread crumbs, baking powder and 1/2 teaspoon of the salt; stir into the egg mixture until combined.
• 6 add remaining 1/4 teaspoon of the salt to the egg whites and beat with electric mixer on medium speed until soft peaks form.
• 7 gradually beat in remaining 1/2 cup of the granulated sugar, 2 tablespoons at a timebeating on high until stiff glossy peaks form and the sugar is completely dissolved.
• 8 gradually fold egg mixture into the batter until just blended.
• 9 divide batter amongst prepared cake pans and bake in preheated oven for 20-25 minutes.
• 10 cool 20 minutes, then remove from pans and complete cooling on wire racks; remove waxed paper.
• 11 in a small bowl, beat heavy cream until it begins to thicken.
• 12 add confectioner's sugar and vanilla, beating until stiff peaks form.
• 13 cover and chill until you're ready to assemble the cake.
• 14 in a large saucepan, melt butter and chocolate over low heat; then remove from burner.
• 15 stir in coffee, vanilla and confectioner's sugar.
• 16 spread the chilled filling between the three layers, stacking them as you go.
• 17 then cover the tops and sides of the cake with the mocha frosting; garnish with the pecan halves.