Chocolate Almond Brownie Cake- Kitchenaid Mixer

I got this out of a kitchenaid mixer cookbook. My kids have one thing to say about it...YUMM-MY!

• Ready In: 45 mins
• Serves: 16

Ingredients

• 7 (1 ounce)  semi-sweet chocolate baking squares
• 1⁄2 cup butter
• 3  eggs, separated
• 1⁄2 cup sugar
• 1⁄2 teaspoon  almond extract
• 2  tablespoons all-purpose flour

• Glaze

• 1 (1 ounce)  semisweet baking chocolate square
• 1  teaspoon vegetable shortening

• Topping

• 1⁄2 cup  whipping cream
• 1  tablespoon powdered sugar
• 1⁄4 teaspoon  almond extract
• 2  tablespoons  sliced almonds

Directions

1. Melt chocolate and butter in medium saucepan over low heat, stirring constantly. Remove from heat; cool slightly.
2. Place egg whites in mixer bowl. Attach bowl and wire whip to mixer. Turn to speed 8 and whip one to two minutes until stiff peaks form. Place egg whites in another bowl. Clean mixer bowl and wire whip.
3. Place chocolate mixture, sugar, and almond extract in mixer bowl. Attach bowl and flat beater to mixer. Turn to speed 4 and beat about one minute. Stop and scrape bowl. Continuing on speed 4, add egg yolks, one at a time, beating about 30 seconds after each addition. Continuing on speed 4, add flour and beat about fifteen seconds. Gently fold egg whites with spatula.
4. Spoon batter into 8-inch springform pan that has been greased and floured on bottom only.
5. Bake at 375 degrees for 20-25 minutes, or until set in center. Cool completely on wire rack before glazing. Clean mixer bowl.
6. To make glaze, melt chocolate and shortening in small saucepan over low heat, stirring to blend. Drizzle over cool cake.
7. To make topping, place cream, powdered sugar, and almond extract in mixer bowl. Attach wire whip and bowl to mixer. Turn to speed 10 and whip 30-60 seconds, or until stiff peaks form. Spoon whipped cream in ring over top of cake. Sprinkle with almonds. Store in refrigerator.