Triple Chocolate Torte - Chocolate Week 12

As she observed my chocolate baking binge of the last several months, a friend suggested that I try to create/offer recipes that were a little healthier. Thanks to Sharon O'Dell, St. George Island, FL, my last chocolate recipe of the year - and in this series - fits the bill quite nicely.

Here are the nutrition stats provided by Sharon for her awesome dessert (which I found in a long-forgotten magazine, ripped out, and stashed in my recipe file): 171 calories (24 percent from fat), 4.7 grams of fat (2.5 grams saturated), 44 milligrams of cholesterol, 37 milligrams of sodium, 31.5 grams of carbohydrates, .1 grams of fiber,  and 2.9 grams of protein.

But what you'll remember most about this dessert is the incredibly moist, fudgy inside topped by a light-as-air-crispy 'crust' that satisfies your sweet tooth without overpowering it. Enjoy this as a New Year's Eve or New Year celebration dessert :)

Triple Chocolate Torte
Makes 10 servings
1/2 cup sugar
1/4 cup cocoa
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
4 ounces bittersweet chocolate, finely chopped
1/2 cup boiling water
2 egg yolks
2 tablespoons chocolate liqueur
      (VOE: I have so few occasions to use chocolate liqueur that I decided to improvise. I added 1 tablespoon of brewed coffee and one tablespoon of Triple Sec, instead)
4 egg whites
1/2 cup granulated sugar

sifted powdered sugar

Combine first four ingredients in a large mixing bowl.

Add chocolate and boiling water, stirring until chocolate melts. (if you're wondering about the red cast to this mixture, it's a reflection from our Christmas nightlight that stays on, continuously - kind of pretty, huh?) Stir in egg yolks and liqueur.

Beat egg whites at high speed with an electric mixer until foamy. Add 1/2 cup granulated sugar, 1 tablespoon at a time, beating until stiff peaks form and sugar dissolves, about 2-4 minutes.

Stir one third of egg whites into chocolate mixture, and then fold in remaining egg whites. Pour into a lightly greased 8-inch springform pan.

Bake at 375 degrees for 28 minutes or until a wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool in pan on a wire rack, for about 10 minutes; remove side of pan, and cool completely (cake will be cracked on top). Sprinkle with powdered sugar.