Pumpkin-Chocolate Torte with Pumpkin Whipped Cream

 Cook and Prep 50 min.  Ready in 4 hours or 50 minutes or overnight...

From the website/magazine EattingWell.com

Ingredients:

Torte:

3/4 cup semisweet chocolate chips, divided

1 Tablespoon butter

1 Tablespoon canola oil

3 large eggs

2 large egg whites

1 cup canned unseasoned pumpkin puree

1/2 cup sugar

1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

3/4 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice

1/4 teaspoon salt

Topping:

1/2 cup heavy cream

2 Tablespoons sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

4 Tablespoons canned unseasoned pumpkin puree

Directions:

1) to prepare Torte: preheat oven to 350.

2) Coat a 9 inch springform pan with cooking spray.  Line the bottom with parchment paper, and spray the paper.

3) Combine the 1/2 cup chocolate chips, butter, and oil in a small saucepan.  Place over medium-low heat, stirring frequently with a spatula, until melted.

4) Beat eggs, egg whites, 1 cup pumpkin puree, 1/2 cup sugar, cocoa powder, 1 teaspoon vanilla, pumpkin pie spice and salt in a large mixing bowl with an electric mixer on medium speed for 5 minutes.  Add the melted chocolate and beat until combined.  Scrape the batter into the prepared pan.

5). Bake the torte in the middle of the oven until the edges are set and the center just barely jiggles when the pan is gently shaken, 30-40 minutes.  Let cool on a wire rack to room tempterature, about 1.5 hours.

6). Melt the remaining 1/4 cup chocolate chips, decoratively drizzle the melted chocolate over the top of the cooled torte.  Cover the pan with plastic wrap and refigerate until chilled, about 2 hours (or up to 1 day)

7) To prepare topping: just before serving, beat cream with 1 tablespoon sugar in a medium bowl with an electric mixer until soft peaks form.  Add vanilla and continue to beat until still peaks form.  Gently fold in the pumpkin puree.  Remove the pan sides and slice the torte.  Serve each portion with a dollop of the pumpkin whipped cream.

Melting choc.  use a small microwave bowl on medium for 50% for 1 min. or I use full power for 30 sec. at a time.