Amount Measure Ingredient -- Preparation Method-------- ------------ --------------------------------280 g good imported bittersweet chocolate -- broken intopieces 113 g (1 stick) unsalted butter or margarine -- at roomtemperature 1/2 cup granulated sugar plus more for sprinkling 5 large eggs -- separated 1/3 cup finely ground almonds (done in a food -- processor) 2 tablespoons kosher for passover cognac or dark rum whipped cream fresh raspberries -- optional Preheat oven to 300 degrees and grease well a 9-inch springform pan andline bottom with parchment paper. Melt the chocolate in a double boiler over hot, not boiling water. When thechocolate is melted, turn off the heat and leave it over the hot water tocool slowly. Meanwhile in a large bowl, beat the butter with 1/4 cup of the sugar untilthe mixture is fluffy and almost white. Add egg yolks and beat for 1minute. Add the almonds and cognac and beat 2 minutes more. In a separate bowl, beat the egg whites until light and foamy whilegradually adding the remaining 1/4 cup sugar. Continue beating the whitesuntil they are stiff and shiny. Add the melted chocolate to the egg yolk mixture and mix with a rubberspatula until well combined. Fold in 1/4 of this chocolate mixture into theegg whites; then gradually fold the egg whites back into the rest of thechocolate mixture, taking care not to deflate the batter. Pour the mixtureinto the prepared pan and bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until a testercomes out covered with a thick, moist, not wet, and crumby coating. Allowcake to cool for 30 minutes in the pan. Loosen the edges with a knife and carefully turn the cake out onto a plate.Remove the parchment paper. Sprinkle with the sugar. Serve at roomtemperature or chilled with whipped cream and raspberries on the side. Yield: 10 to 12 servings