Chocolate Buttermilk Torte with Cream Cheese Filling

2 eggs, separated
1 1/2 cups sugar
1 3/4 cups. cake flour (no substitutes)
1 teaspoon salt
3/4 teaspoon soda
1/3 cup vegetable oil
1 cup buttermilk*
2 ounces melted unsweetened chocolate, cooled

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease and flour 2 round layer pans 8 or 9 x 1 1/2 inches. In small glass mixer bowl, beat egg whites until foamy. Beat in 1/2 cup of sugar, 1 tablespoon at a time; continue beating until very stiff and glossy. Set aside. Measure remaining sugar, flour, salt and soda into large mixer bowl. Add oil and half of the buttermilk. Beat 1 minute on high speed. Add remaining milk, egg yolks and chocolate; beat 1 minute. Fold in meringue. Pour into pans. Bake 30-35 minutes or until wooden pick comes out clean. Cool.

Creme Filling
1 1/2 cup chilled whipped cream
1 pkg. (8 ounce) cream cheese, softened
2/3 cup brown sugar, packed
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/8 teaspoon salt

In a chilled bowl, beat cream until stiff. Blend cream cheese, sugar, vanilla and salt. Fold in cream. Serve plain with powdered sugar sifted over top or split layers when cool to make 4 layers. Fill layers and frost top with creme filling. Sprinkle with 1 to 2 tablespoons grated chocolate. Refrigerate at least 8 hours. .

* Powdered buttermilk does not have to be mixed separately. I just add the powder with my flour and the water with the my other liquids and let it mix in the batter.
Nancy Rogers

http://www.nancyskitchen.com