HUNGARIAN CHOCOLATE CHESTNUT TORTE (GESZTENYE TORTA)

Steps:

• Force chestnut purée through a potato ricer to make the purée fluffy, and set aside.
• Grate the chocolate using a food processor or the grater attachment of your mixer if you have one.
• Mix the almonds and breadcrumbs together.
• Preheat oven to 325°F.
• Prepare 2 9-inch springform pans for baking by brushing the bottom and sides of the pan with melted butter, dusting with flour, and shaking out the excess.
• Beat the egg whites with a pinch of salt until stiff, but not dry.
• Using an electric mixer, beat the egg yolks, gradually adding the sugar until well mixed (3-4 minutes: the mixture will be light yellow and very thick and creamy).
• Fold in the chestnut purée, then the grated chocolate.
• Carefully fold in the nut and bread crumb mixture.
• Stir 1 tablespoon of the egg whites into the batter, then fold the rest in 1/4 at a time.
• Pour the batter into the prepared pans, spread evenly, and bake in the center of the oven until the tops turn light brown (30-50 minutes).
• Remove from oven and let it cool a little in the pan.
• Remove the sides of the pan and allow to cool thoroughly before filling it.
• For filling, melt chocolate in a double boiler over very low heat.
• Cream the butter with the powdered sugar; add the melted chocolate, and beat until fluffy.
• Fold in the nuts.
• Refrigerate until ready to use.
• When the layers are completely cooled, take the better of the two for the top layer.
• Spread the bottom layer with the filling, and set the top layer on top.
• In a cold bowl, with a cold beater, whip the cream.
• Gradually sift in the powdered sugar, and continue beating until stiff peaks form.
• Refrigerate until ready to use.
• Mash the chestnut purée with a fork, then work in the powdered sugar.
• Beat in the rum, and taste for flavoring.
• When ready to serve the cake, top with whipped cream, then force the chestnut topping through a potato ricer directly on top of the whipped cream.