Mexican Chocolate and Almond Cake
- 1 2/3 cups sliced almonds, toasted (about 6 ounces)
- 4 1/2 ounces semisweet chocolate, chopped
- 2 1/2 teaspoons grated orange peel
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 5 eggs, separated
- 6 tablespoons sugar
- 4 ounces semisweet chocolate, chopped
- 1/2 cup half and half
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 cup chilled whipping cream
- 1 1/2 tablespoons sugar
- Ground cinnamon
- 3 oranges, peel and white pith removed, sliced into rounds
- Preheat oven to 350F.
- Line bottom of 8-inch square baking pan with parchment.
- Finely grind almonds, chocolate, orange peel and cinnamon in processor.
- In medium bowl of electric mixer, beat yolks and 3 tablespoons sugar until light yellow and slightly thickened, about 3 minutes.
- Mix in nut mixture (mixture will be very thick).
- Using clean dry bowl and beater, beat egg whites in large bowl until soft peaks form.
- Add remaining 3 tablespoons sugar and beat until stiff but not dry.
- Mix half of whites into chocolate mixture to lighten.
- Gently fold in remaining whites.
- Transfer batter to prepared pan.
- Bake until tester inserted into center comes out clean, about 35 minutes.
- Cool in pan on rack.
- Turn out cake and remove paper.
- (Can be prepared 1 day ahead.
- Wrap tightly; store at room temperature.)
- Melt chocolate in heavy small saucepan over low heat, stirring until smooth.
- Mix in half and half and 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon and stir until smooth.
- Cool.
- (Can be prepared 1 day ahead.
- Let stand at room temperature.)
- Whip cream and sugar until peaks form.
- Cut cake into squares and place on plates.
- Top each square with mound of whipped cream.
- Sprinkle with cinnamon and drizzle with chocolate sauce.
- Arrange orange slices in front of cake squares.
almonds, semisweet chocolate, ground cinnamon, eggs, sugar, semisweet chocolate, ground cinnamon, chilled whipping cream, sugar, ground cinnamon, oranges
Taken from www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/mexican-chocolate-and-almond-cake-1315 (may not work)