Let them eat cake: Easy chocolate torte

I swore off desserts a week ago (just 'til Thanksgiving!) but we invited friends for dinner last night, so I had to backslide a little on this. I made a fudge cake that is easy, and pretty and really delicious. To stay on track diet-wise, I had just one piece, and sent most of this cake home with our guests. This dessert is like a torte; it features a nice dose of finely chopped nuts but not much flour.

Chocolate torte

Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Grease and flour an 8-inch springform pan.

Cream together 1 cup sugar, 1/2 cup unsalted butter. Beat in two large egg yokes, 2 ounces unsweetened chocolate, melted and slightly cooled. Beat in 1/3 cup all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon vanilla. Stir in one cup finely chopped pecans or walnuts. (I suggest grinding these very fine in the food processor.) Whip until stiff but not dry: 2 large egg whites, 1/8 teaspoon salt. Fold gently into the batter. Pour into greased pan and bake for 30 to 35 minutes.

Let cool. Carefully remove from springform pan. Top with a dusting of powdered sugar and berry syrup. (Adapted from "The Joy of Cooking.")