Double Chocolate Bombe

Yield: 8 to 10 servings

Ingredients

• 1/2  cup  pecan pieces, toasted
• 1/4  cup  butter, softened
• 1/4  cup  shortening
• 1  cup  sugar
• 1 1/2  teaspoons  vanilla extract
• 3  large eggs, separated
• 1  cup  all-purpose flour
• 1/2  teaspoon  baking soda
• 1/2  cup  buttermilk
• Chocolate Mousse
• White Chocolate Mousse
• Chocolate Ganache
• Garnish: chocolate curls

Preparation

Process pecans in a food processor until ground; set aside.

Beat butter and shortening at medium speed with an electric mixer until creamy; gradually add sugar, beating well. Add vanilla, beating until blended. Add egg yolks, 1 at a time, beating until blended after each addition.

Combine flour, soda, and pecans; add to sugar mixture alternately with buttermilk, beginning and ending with flour mixture. Beat at low speed until blended after each addition.

Beat egg whites until stiff peaks form; fold into batter. Pour into a well-greased and floured 15- x 10-inch jellyroll pan.

Bake at 350° for 20 minutes or until a wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool in pan on a wire rack 10 minutes; remove from pan, and cool on wire rack.

Line a 3-quart mixing bowl (8 1/2 inches across) with plastic wrap.

Cut cake lengthwise into 2-inch strips; line prepared bowl with cake strips, reserving remainder. Spread Chocolate Mousse over cake in bowl; cover and chill 1 hour.

Pour White Chocolate Mousse into bowl over chocolate layer; cover and chill 1 hour. Cover with remaining strips. Cover and chill at least 8 hours.

Invert bombe onto a cake plate, and spread with ganache. Garnish, if desired.