Chocolate Gateau

This cake is sinfully decadent, but actually not hard to make at all.

Cake:
1 (12 oz) pkg semi-sweet choc chips (*divided)
3/4 cup sugar
2/3 cup butter, softened
3 eggs, separated
1 tsp vanilla
1/2 tsp salt
3/4 cup flour
1/4 cup milk
2/3 cup ground nuts (I use almonds)


Glaze:
3 tblsp butter
2 tblsp corn syrup
1 tblsp water
1 cup semi sweet chocolate chips (*reserved from cake)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Melt 1 cup chips till smooth (either in a double boiler of the microwave), set aside. In large bowl combine sugar and butter; beat until creamy. Beat in melted chips, eggs yolks, vanilla and salt. Gradually add flour and milk, beat well. Stir in nuts. In a different bowl beat egg whites till stiff peaks form. Fold into chocolate batter.

Spread into a greased 9 inch round springform pan.

Bake at 350 for 25-30 minutes.

Cool 10 minutes, than remove the sides of the pan. Cool completely.


Glaze:

In a small saucepan , combine butter, corn syrup and water. Cook over low heat, stirring constantly. Bring to a boil. Remove from heat. Add the chocolate chips, stir until all chips are melted and mixture is smooth. Cool to room temp. Pour glaze over cake, covering top and sides.

Garnish as desired. We've either sprinkled with more nuts or our favorite, decorate with fresh strawberries.