CHOCOLATE HAZELNUT TORTE

Steps:

• Preheat an oven to 375°F.
• Lightly butter and flour a 9-inch round springform cake pan.
• To make the torte, spread the 1/2 cup hazelnuts on a baking sheet and toast in the oven until lightly browned and fragrant, 5 to 7 minutes.
• While the nuts are still warm, place them in a kitchen towel and rub with the towel to remove the skins.
• Do not worry if bits of skin remain.
• Set aside.
• Place the chocolate and butter in a large heatproof bowl set over but not touching gently simmering water in a saucepan.
• Stir often until the chocolate melts, then remove from the heat.
• In a food processor fitted with the metal blade or in a blender, combine the skinned nuts with the 2/3 cup sugar.
• Pulse until finely ground.
• Add to the chocolate mixture and stir until blended.
• Let cool; then add the egg yolks one at a time, beating well after each addition.
• In a bowl, sift together the flour and cocoa.
• Stir into the chocolate mixture.
• In another bowl, using an electric mixer, beat the egg whites and cream of tartar until soft peaks form.
• Add the 2 Tbs sugar and beat until stiff peaks form.
• Using a rubber spatula, fold one-fourth of the whites into the chocolate mixture to lighten it.
• Then fold in the remaining whites just until no white streaks remain.
• Pour into the prepared pan.
• Bake until a skewer inserted into the center comes out almost clean, 35 to 40 minutes.
• Transfer the pan to a wire rack and let cool.
• To make the glaze, combine the chocolate, butter and corn syrup in a heatproof bowl set over but not touching gently simmering water in a saucepan.
• Stir often until the chocolate melts, then remove from the heat and stir until smooth.
• Let cool, stirring occasionally, for 15 minutes; the glaze will thicken slightly.
• Set the rack over a baking sheet, invert the torte onto the rack and lift off the pan.
• Pour on the glaze, tilting the torte to coat the top and sides completely.
• When the glaze stops dripping, place the 12 hazelnuts around the top of the cake.
• Transfer to a serving plate and serve.
• Makes one 9-inch torte.