Chocolate Amaretto Torte

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 25 minutes

Total Time: 40 minutes

Ingredients:

Chocolate base:
1/2 cup Crisco shortening
three ounces sweetened chocolate squares
1-1/4 cup granulated sugar
one teaspoon vanilla
three eggs
2/3 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/3 cup toasted sliced almonds
.
Filling:
8 ounces cream cheese; softened
1/2 cup sifted icing sugar
1/2 cup amaretto liqueur
two cups whipping cream
1/2 cup toasted sliced almonds

Preparation:

Combine flour, baking powder, salt & almonds. Add to chocolate mixture, stirring until well blended.

Spread in greased 9 x 9-inch spring form pan.


Chocolate base:
Melt Crisco shortening & chocolate in saucepan on low heat, stirring until smoothly blended. Remove from heat & add sugar, vanilla, & eggs. Beat well.

Filling:
Beat cream cheese & icing sugar in little bowl at medium speed of electrical mixer until light & fluffy. Gradually add amaretto liqueur, beating until smooth. Whip cream to soft peaks. Reserve some for garnish, if desired.

Bake at 350 degrees F (180C) for twenty to 25 minutes. Do not overbake. Chilled .

Fold remaining cream in to cheese mixture.

Spread over cooled base. Chill cheesecake three hours or overnight. Garnish with toasted almonds and/or reserved whipped cream.

Yield: ten servings

Hint: Try other liqueurs in lieu of Amaretto liqueur. Torte freezes well.