Passover Dark Chocolate Nut Cake - Cake

Method

• TO MAKE THE CAKE:
• Set a large mixer bowl in a sink filled with 2 inches of warm water. Separate eggs.
• NOTE:
• it is best to separate eggs while they are still cold, straight from the fridge.
• (you should have about 1 1/2 cups whites). Pour the whites into the warm mixer bowl and place yolks in a smaller mixer bowl (or let separated eggs stand, covered, at room temperature for 30 minutes).
• Meanwhile, in a small, heavy saucepan, partially melt unsweetened chocolate and semisweet chocolate pieces over low heat. Turn off heat and stir (chocolate will continue to melt).
• Preheat oven to 350°F.
• Cut a waxed paper liner for the bottom of a 10-inch tube pan, cutting it 1/2-inch wider than the pan and the center hole slightly larger than the tube.
• Grease pan thoroughly.
• Place liner in pan and grease liner.
• Beat egg yolks with an electric mixer on high speed for about 4 minutes or till they're thick and lemon colored.
• Add the 2/3 cup sugar, beating till very thick. Stir in the melted chocolate and chopped nuts.
• Thoroughly wash and dry beaters.
• Beat egg whites with vanilla and almond extract till foamy.
• Gradually add the 1/4 cup sugar to egg whites, beating till soft peaks form.
• Lighten egg yolk mixture with about 2 cups beaten egg whites.
• Add to the remaining egg white mixture and fold together to combine.
• Turn batter into prepared pan.
• Bake for about 40 minutes or till top springs back when lightly touched.
• Run a knife around the edge of the pan and center to loosen.
• Cool in pan for 1 hour.
• INVERT onto cake plate. Remove waxed paper.
• Spread glaze over top and sides of cake.
• TO MAKE THE DARK CHOCOLATE GLAZE:
• In a small heavy saucepan or skillet, melt chocolate over low heat.
• Remove from heat and stir in butter or margarine.
• In a small bowl, dissolve instant coffee in hot water.
• Stir in the sour cream and maple flavoring.
• Add sour cream mixture to chocolate, stirring till smooth and shiny.
• Makes 3/4 cup.