Chocolate-Almond Torte

• 1 cup whole almonds, toasted and divided
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 3/4 cup butter or margarine
• 1/2 cup whipping cream
• 4 (4-ounce) bittersweet or semisweet chocolate bars, finely chopped
• 6 large eggs, separated
• 1/3 cup sugar
• 1 cup whipping cream
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• 3 tablespoons almond liqueur
• Garnishes: toasted sliced almonds

1. Butter and flour a 9-inch springform pan. Line with wax paper; butter paper. Set aside.
2. Process 1/2 cup whole almonds and 2 tablespoons sugar in a food processor until ground. Spoon into a bowl. Set aside.
3. Process remaining 1/2 cup whole almonds and oil in a food processor 3 minutes or until a thick paste forms, stopping often to scrape down sides.
4. Bring butter and whipping cream to a boil in a heavy saucepan over medium heat. Remove from heat, and whisk in chocolate until smooth. Stir in almond mixtures; cool slightly.
5. Beat egg whites at high speed with an electric mixer until foamy. Add 1/3 cup sugar, 1 tablespoon at a time, beating until stiff peaks form and sugar dissolves (2 to 4 minutes).
6. Beat egg yolks until thick and pale. Gradually add chocolate mixture to yolks, beating until blended. Fold in one-third of egg whites. Gradually fold in remaining egg whites. Pour batter into prepared pan.
7. Bake at 350u0b0 for 35 minutes or until almost set. Cool on a wire rack. Run a sharp knife around edges to loosen. Remove sides of pan. Cover and chill up to 3 days.
8. Beat cream at medium speed with an electric mixer until foamy; gradually add 2 tablespoons sugar, beating until soft peaks form. Stir in liqueur. Serve with torte; garnish, if desired.

whole almonds, sugar, vegetable oil, butter, whipping cream, bittersweet, eggs, sugar, whipping cream, sugar, almond liqueur, almonds

Taken from www.myrecipes.com/recipe/chocolate-almond-torte-0 (may not work)