CHOCOLATE MOUSSE CAKE WITH CHOCOLATE WHIPPED CREAM

Steps:

• Grease a 9 inch springform pan.
• In food processor or blender, coarsely grind hazelnuts to make 1 1/4 cups.
• Combine ground hazelnuts and melted butter.
• Press hazelnut/butter mixture into the bottom and 1 1/2 inches up the sides of greased pan.
• In a saucepan combine the cut up chocolate and 1/2 cup heavy cream.
• Stir over low heat until chocolate is melted.
• Remove cream from heat.
• In a mixer bowl, beat eggs and vanilla at low speed until well mixed.
• Add flour and sugar, beat on high speed for 10 minutes, or until thick and lemon colored.
• In a small bowl, beat remaining (1/2 cup) heavy cream until soft peaks form.
• Stir about 1/4 of the egg mixture into the melted chocolate.
• Fold remaining egg mixture into chocolate mixture, then fold in the whipped cream.
• Turn mixture into prepared pan.
• Bake in a preheated 325°F oven for 30-35 minutes, or until puffed on the outer third of the top.
• (Center will be slightly soft).
• Cool cake for 20 minutes.
• Remove pan sides.
• Cool on a rack 3 to 4 hours.
• Cake may be served at room temperature or chilled.
• If serving the cake the next day, cover and store in the refrigerator.
• Before serving, decoratively pipe (or dollop) the chocolate whipped cream on the top of the cake and garnish with whole hazelnuts.
• Chocolate Whipped Cream: In a small saucepan, combine heavy cream and semisweet chocolate.
• Stir over low heat until all the chocolate is melted.
• Remove from heat and stir until there are no chocolate specks remaining.
• Pour mixture into a bowl and chill well.
• Just before serving, beat cream until stiff peaks form (tips of peaks should stand straight).