Flourless Chocolate Orange Almond Cake

Step 1: Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease bottom only of a 9-inch springform pan (a 10-inch will work fine also with slightly reduced baking time).

Step 2: In a food processor blend the almonds and 1/4 cup of sugar until the almonds are finely ground. Add in the chopped chocolate then pulse until the chocolate is finely ground stopping once to scrape the sides and bottom of the bowl. In a small bowl whisk the cocoa powder, orange juice and zest.

Step 3: In a small bowl whisk the cocoa powder, orange juice and zest.

Step 4: In a large bowl combine the egg yolks with 1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons sugar, then add in vanilla; using an electric mixer beat until thick (about 4 minutes, the yolks must be thick or the cake will not have the right texture). Beat in the cocoa mixture, then fold in the ground almond mixture.

Step 5: In a stainless steel or copper clean dry bowl beat the egg whites with salt until soft peaks forum. Gradually add in 2 tablespoons of sugar and continue beating until stiff but not dry; gently fold into the chocolate batter.

Step 6: Transfer to prepared pan. Bake 40-45 minutes or until a wooden pick or cake tester comes out clean. Cool completely in the pan on a rack. Loosen the cake from the pan with a knife then release sides of pan.

Step 7: Cool completely in the pan on a rack. Loosen the cake from the pan with a knife then release sides of pan.