Chocolate lover's torte

---------- Recipe via Meal-Master (tm) v8.02
  
       Title: CHOCOLATE LOVER'S TORTE
  Categories: Cakes, Desserts
       Yield: 10 servings
  
     1/4 c  Butter
     1/3 c  HERSHEY'S Cocoa
     2/3 c  Butter; softened
       1 c  Sugar; plus...
       3 tb Sugar; (divided)
       3    Eggs; separated
       1 ts Vanilla extract
     1/4 ts Almond extract
     3/4 c  All-purpose flour
     1/2 ts Salt
     1/4 c  Milk
     2/3 c  Finely ground almonds
            CHOCOLATE CHIP GLAZE
     1/4 c  Water
       3 tb Sugar
       1 c  HERSHEY'S MINI CHIPS
            -(Semi-Sweet Chocolate)
     1/2 ts Vanilla extract
 
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            Sweetened whipped cream
            -(optional)
  
   1. Heat oven to 350 F. Generously grease and flour 2 heart-shaped or
   9-inch round baking pans.
   
   2. In small saucepan, melt 1/4 cup butter. Remove from heat; stir in
   cocoa.
   
   3. In large bowl, beat 2/3 cup butter and 1 cup sugar until creamy. Add
   chocolate mixture, egg yolks, vanilla and almond extracts; beat until
   blended. Gradually add flour, salt and milk; beat until well blended.
   Stir in almonds.
   
   4. In medium bowl, beat egg whites until foamy; gradually add remaining
   3 tablespoons sugar, beating just until soft peaks form. Gently fold
   into chocolate mixture.
   
   5. Pour batter evenly into prepared pans. Bake 20 to 25 minutes or until
   wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool 10 minutes (cake
   will settle slightly); remove from pans to wire racks. Cool completely.
   
   6. Prepare SMOOTH AND GLOSSY CHOCOLATE CHIP GLAZE. Place one cake layer
   on serving plate; spoon half of glaze over layer. Top with second layer.
   Spread top and sides with remaining glaze. Cool until glaze is set.
   Garnish as desired. 10 to 12 servings.
   
   SMOOTH AND GLOSSY CHOCOLATE CHIP GLAZE:
   
   In small saucepan, combine 1/4 cup water and 3 tablespoons sugar. Heat
   to boiling, stirring until sugar is dissolved. Remove from heat; stir in
   1 cup HERSHEY'S MINI CHIPS Semi-Sweet Chocolate and 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
   extract. Beat with whisk or spoon until chips are melted. Use
   immediately.
   
   Hershey's is a registered trademark of Hershey Foods Corporation.
   Recipe may be reprinted courtesy of the Hershey Kitchens.