Grand marnier chocolate pecan torte

MMMMM----- Recipe via Meal-Master (tm) v8.01
  
       Title: Grand Marnier Chocolate Pecan Torte
  Categories: Chocolate, Cakes
       Yield: 8 servings
  
 MMMMM-------------------------FOR TORTE------------------------------
       8 oz Ghirardelli Semi-Sweet
            -Chocolate
     1/2 c  Butter
     3/4 c  Sugar, divided
       6    Egg yolks
       2 tb Grand Marnier (orange
            -liqueur)
     1/2 ts Vanilla
   1 1/3 c  Very finely chopped pecans
     1/4 c  Dry bread crumbs
       7    Egg whites
 
 MMMMM------------------CHOCOLATE GANACHE GLAZE-----------------------
       4 oz Ghirardelli Semi-Sweet
            -Chocolate
     1/2 c  Heavy whipping cream
       2 ts Grand Marnier (orange
            -liqueur)
     1/3 c  Very finely chopped pecans
            Grand Marnier Whipped Cream
 
 MMMMM-------------------------DECORATION------------------------------
     3/4 c  Heavy whipping cream
       2 tb Powdered sugar
       2 ts Grand Marnier (orange
            -liqueur)
       1    Fresh orange, thin skin
            -variety
  
   Servings: 8
   
   DIRECTIONS: Torte: Melt broken chocolate in double boiler, stirring
   constantly, or microwave on medium for about 3 minutes. Set aside. In
   the small mixer bowl, cream butter, gradually adding 1/2 cup of the
   sugar; mix until very fluffy. Add egg yolks, liqueur and vanilla;
   beat until creamy. Transfer to larger bowl. Fold melted chocolate
   into creamed mixture. Use a food processor or blender to chop pecans
   to a coarse powder. Combine nuts with crumbs and fold into chocolate
   mixture. Beat egg whites with salt, gradually adding remaining 1/4
   cup sugar; beat until soft peaks form. Stir 1/4 of egg whites into
   chocolate mixture; fold in remaining egg whites. Pour batter into a
   buttered 9" springform pan lined with waxed paper. Bake at 350-F on
   bottom rack for 45-50 minutes or until center is firm. Cool on rack.
   Cake will sink slightly in the center. Remove pan and liner. Top with
   Chocolate Ganache Glaze and Grand Marnier Whipped Cream Decoration.
   
   Chocolate Ganache Glaze: Finely chop chocolate. Heat cream until hot.
   On very low heat add chocolate, stirring until smooth and thick.
   Remove from heat. Stir in liqueur. Turn torte, top side down, onto
   serving plate. Arrange strips of waxed paper under cake edge to catch
   excess glaze. Pour glaze over top and sides of cake. After a short
   time, run excess glaze up sides of cake. Cover sides of cake with
   nuts. Remove waxed paper strips. Chill cake while preparing topping.
   
   Grand Marnier Whipped Cream Decoration: Whip cream with sugar and
   liqueur until it holds a shape. Do not overbeat. Pipe rosettes or
   form a ring of whipped cream around top of chocolate glazed torte.
   With a sharp knife cut peel from orange. Slice into circles; cut into
   quarters. Place oranges around cake on top of whipped cream. If
   preferred, sprinkle grated orange rind over whipped cream. Cake
   should be stored in a cool place until served.
   
   Source: Recipes from Ghirardelli Chocolate Company of San Francisco
   
   From: Sallie Austin
  
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