Harvest Pumpkin Torte

This recipe was featured in an email that I received this morning from Hershey's and the picture looks incredible! Visit www.hersheys.com to see for yourselves.

• Ready In: 29 mins
• Serves: 24

Ingredients

• 4  eggs, separated
• 3⁄4 cup sugar
• 1  tablespoon sugar
• 1⁄2 cup all-purpose flour
• 1⁄3 cup  cocoa, Hershey's
• 1⁄2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1⁄4 teaspoon salt
• 1⁄3 cup water
• 1  teaspoon vanilla extract
•  sliced almonds (optional)

Directions

1. Heat oven to 375°F. Line 15-1/2x10-1/2x1-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. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. Meanwhile, prepare PUMPKIN FILLING. 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. 8 to 10 servings.
6. PUMPKIN FILLING
7. 1 cup canned pumpkin.
8. 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
9. 1/3 cup butter or margarine, softened
10. 3 tablespoons shortening
11. 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
12. 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
13. 1-3/4 cups powdered sugar
14. 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.
15. 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. About 2-1/4 cups filling.
16. CHOCOLATE GLAZE.
17. 1 tablespoon butter or margarine
18. 2 tablespoons HERSHEY'S Cocoa
19. 1 tablespoon water
20. 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
21. 2/3 cup powdered sugar
22. 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.