Brownie Ganache Torte

Nobody will believe that this bakery-fancy cake starts with a brownie mix! We had it last night at a dinner party and it was awesome. Don't let the long laundry list deter you it is really worth the effort. Courtesy Barbara Estabrook - Rhinelander, Wi. Pillsbury Bake-Off 41 (Hollywood, 2004).

• Ready In: 5 hrs 30 mins
• Serves: 16

Ingredients

• Crust

• 1 1⁄4 cups graham cracker crumbs
• 1⁄4 cup  almond toffee bits
• 1  tablespoon  packed brown sugar
• 1⁄4 cup butter, melted

• Chocolate Layer

• 1⁄2 cup heavy whipping cream
• 1  tablespoon  coffee-flavored liqueur or 1  tablespoon  strong brewed coffee
• 1  cup  semi-sweet chocolate chips

• Filling

• 1 (19 1/2ounce) box  pillsbury brownie classic fudge  toffee pieces or 1 (19 1/2ounce) box  traditional  fudge brownie mix
• 6  tablespoons butter, melted
• 3  tablespoons water
• 3  egg whites
• 1⁄2 cup  chopped  slivered almonds, toasted*

• Topping

•  unsweetened  whipped cream (optional)

Directions

1. Crust:
2. Lightly butter bottom only 10-inch springform pan or spray with cooking spray.
3. In medium bowl, mix graham creacker crumbs, toffee bits, brown sugar and 1/4 cup melted butter with fork until crumbs are coated.
4. Press in bottom of buttered pan.
5. Chcolate Layer:
6. In 1-quart saucepan, heat whipping cream over medium-low heat until hot.
7. Stir in liqueur.
8. With wire whisk, stir in chocolate chips until smooth.
9. Remove from heat.
10. Place 1/4 cup chocolate mixture in small microwaveable bowl; set aside for drizzle.
11. Pour and carefully spread remaining chocolate mixture over crust.
12. Freeze for 20 minutes.
13. Filling:
14. Heat oven to 325ºF.
15. In a large bowl, mix brownie mix, 6 Tablespoons melted butter and the water; beat 50 strokes with spoon (mixture will be thick).
16. In a small bowl, beat egg whites with electric mixer on high speed 1-2 minutes or until soft peaks form.
17. Add brownie mixture, beat with electric mixer on low speed just until well blended, about 30 seconds (batter will appear lumpy).
18. Remove crust from freezer.
19. Spread batter over chocolate layer.
20. Sprinkle almonds evenly over top.
21. Bake at 325ºF for 45-60 minutes or until center is puffed and set and edges are firm (middle will be soft).
22. DO NOT OVERBAKE.
23. Cool on wire rack 2 hours.
24. Run knife around side of pan; remove side.
25. Microwave reserved chocolate mixture on High for 10-15 seconds until desired drizzling consistency; drizzle over torte.
26. To serve at room temperature, cool an aditional hour.
27. Or refrigerate until serving time.
28. If desired, top individual servings with unsweetened whipped cream.
29. Now, sit down and enjoy with a cup of coffee!
30. *To toast chopped almonds, spread on cookie sheet; bake at 325ºF for 6-8 minutes, striing once, until golden brown. (This can be done while making the crust or chocolate layer).