Royale Dark Chocolate Cake

1-1/2 cups unsalted butter
1 pound semisweet chocolate
7 eggs, separated
1-1/2 cups sugar
3/4 cups flour
1/4 Cup Cognac or Orange Liqueur
Icing (below)

Melt butter and chocolate over very low heat, stirring with wooden Spoon. Cool. Beat egg yolks until light and lemon colored, about 5 minutes. Gradually add sugar.

Combine melted chocolate and egg yolk mixture. Fold in flour. Add liqueur. Beat egg whites until stiff but not dry, then fold into chocolate mixture.

Divide batter into 2 (9-inch) buttered and floured layer cake pans and bake at 325 degrees 35 minutes. Cool, then fill and frost with icing. Makes 10 servings.

Icing

1 pound chocolate
1 cup unsalted butter
3 tablespoons Cognac or Orange Liqueur

Melt chocolate and butter over very low heat, whisking until smooth. Remove from heat and add liqueur. Cool until thickened.