Harvest Pumpkin Torte

A festive, four-layered chocolate torte filled with a creamy pumpkin filling and topped with chocolate glaze.

Recipe Ingredients:

4 large eggs, separated
3/4 cup plus 1 tablespoon granulated sugar - divided use
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1/3 cup HERSHEY'S Cocoa
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/3 cup water
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

PUMPKIN FILLING:
1 cup canned pumpkin
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/3 cup butter or margarine, softened
3 tablespoons shortening
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1 3/4 cups powdered sugar

CHOCOLATE GLAZE:
1 tablespoon butter or margarine
2 tablespoons HERSHEY'S Cocoa
1 tablespoon water
1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
2/3 cup powdered sugar

Sliced almonds (optional)

Cooking Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Line 15-1/2 x 10-1/2 x 1-inch jelly roll pan with foil; generously grease foil.
2. Beat egg yolks in large bowl on medium speed 3 minutes; gradually add 1/2 cup sugar, beating 2 additional minutes.
3. Stir together flour, cocoa, 1/4 cup sugar, baking soda and salt; add to egg yolk mixture alternately with water, beating on low speed just until batter is smooth. Stir in vanilla; set aside.
4. Beat egg whites in medium bowl until soft peaks form; gradually add remaining 1 tablespoon sugar, beating until stiff peaks form. Gradually fold beaten egg whites into chocolate mixture until well blended. Spread batter evenly into prepared pan.
5. Bake 14 to 16 minutes or until top springs back when touched lightly. Immediately loosen cake from edges of pan; invert onto clean, slightly dampened towel. Carefully peel off foil. Cool completely.
6. Meanwhile, prepare PUMPKIN FILLING.
7. FOR PUMPKIN FILLING: Combine pumpkin and flour in small saucepan; cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until mixture boils (mixture will be very thick). Remove from heat; set aside. Cool completely. Beat butter and shortening in small bowl until creamy; add spices. Gradually add powdered sugar, beating until light and fluffy. Slowly blend in pumpkin mixture. Refrigerate until mixture ready to use. Makes about 2 1/4 cups filling.
8. Cut cake crosswise into four equal pieces. Place one piece on serving plate; spread about 3/4 cup filling over top. Repeat layering with remaining cake and filling, ending with cake layer. Spread CHOCOLATE GLAZE over top; garnish with almonds, if desired. Refrigerate until serving time. Refrigerate leftover torte.
9. FOR CHOCOLATE GLAZE: Melt butter in small saucepan over low heat; add cocoa and water. Cook, stiring constantly, until mixture thickens; do not boil. Remove from heat. Stir in vanilla. Gradually add powdered sugar, beating with whisk until smooth and thickened.

Makes 8 to 10 servings.

Recipe and photograph courtesy of the Hershey Kitchens, and reprinted with permission of The Hershey Company. © The Hershey Company.