Chocolate Walnut Cake With Amaretto Ganache

Ingredients


6 ounces very good quality semisweet chocolate
12 tablespoons (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
2/3 cup sugar, divided
8 large eggs, separated
1 1/2 cups ground walnuts
2/3 cup all purpose flour

Chocolate Filling

1 pound semisweet chocolate
1 1/2 cups heavy whipping cream
12 tablespoons (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
5 tablespoons amaretto liquor.

Syrup

1/3 cup water
1/4 cup sugar
5 tablespoons amaretto

Walnut halves for decorating
preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Method
preheat to 350 degrees.

Cut the chocolate finely and place in a small bowl over hot water to melt, stirring occasionally, but be careful the chocolate does not sit in the water. Beat the butter with half the sugar until soft medium speed, the beat in the chocolate, add the egg yolks, one at a time. Combine the walnuts and flour and gently fold in.

Whip the egg whites until they just hold a soft peak and whip in the remaining sugar slowly. Gently fold into the cake batter. Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake about 35 to 45 minutes, or until well risen and still a little soft in the very center. Cool the cake in the pan for a few minutes, then cool.
To make the syrup, boil all the ingredients and add the liquor.

For the filling, grate the chocolate, and bring the cream to a boil in a saucepan and remove from heat. Stir in the chocolate and butter; allow to stand about 2 minutes until melted. Whisk smooth, whisk in the amaretto, and scrape into a bowl and cool at room temperature or refrigerator until the ganache has set and thickened.

Slice the cake into two layers Place 1 layer on a plate and moisten with syrup. Beat the chocolate ganache for about 1 minute, until it is has incorporated the air and lightened. Spread a third of the ganache on the layer of cake on the plate. Top with the other layer and moisten with more syrup. Use half the remaining filling to cover the top and side of the cake. Use the remainder of the ganache to pipe a decorative border around the cake.


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