Happy Valentines Day!

It is a cold and snowy Valentines Day here...well, flurries, but that counts!

This is a recipe that I have wanted to make for a long time...since February 2003 when it appeared in Martha Stewart Living as the Dessert of the Month (one of my favorite features of the magazine, by the way!) And I would probably be making it tonight if I felt much like cooking...but I don't...due to our tiny, little Valentine who will make their arrival in October :)

I hope that all of you have a wonderful day today...and enjoy this!

Chocolate Hazelnut Meringue Cake

10 Tbsp. unsalted butter, plus more for pan
All-purpose flour, for pan
1 cup hazelnuts (about 4 ounces)
3/4 cup firmly packed light-brown sugar
6 large whole eggs, separated, plus 4 large egg whites
12 ounces bittersweet chocolate, melted and cooled, plus 4 ounces roughly chopped (1 cup)
1 Tbsp. vanilla extract
1 tablespoon rum (optional)
Pinch of salt
1 Tbsp. cornstarch
1/4 tsp. cream of tartar
1 cup superfine sugar

1. Preheat oven to 350°. Butter a 9-by-3-inch springform pan. Line bottom with parchment. Butter parchment, and sprinkle with flour; tap out excess. Set aside.
2. Spread hazelnuts in a single layer on a rimmed baking sheet. Toast until fragrant and skins start to crack, 10 to 15 minutes. Remove from oven; rub vigorously with a clean kitchen towel to take off skins. Let cool; roughly chop. Set aside.
3. Make cake batter: In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream butter and brown sugar until pale and smooth. Add egg yolks, one at a time, beating well after each addition, until mixture is light and fluffy. Add melted chocolate, vanilla, and rum, if using; beat until combined. Set aside.
4. In a clean mixer bowl, combine 6 egg whites and salt; using the whisk attachment, beat on high speed until soft peaks form, about 2 minutes. Stir one-third of the egg whites into chocolate mixture. Fold in remaining beaten egg whites just until combined. Pour batter into prepared pan, and bake 25 minutes.
5. Meanwhile, make meringue: Combine hazelnuts, chopped chocolate, and cornstarch in a small bowl, and set aside. Place remaining 4 egg whites and cream of tartar in a clean mixer bowl; using a clean whisk attachment, beat on high speed until frothy. With mixer running, slowly add superfine sugar; continue beating until stiff peaks form, about 8 minutes. Fold in hazelnut mixture.
6. Remove cake from oven. Using an offset spatula, spread meringue mixture on top of cake, and return to oven. Bake until meringue is lightly browned and crisp, 25 to 30 minutes. Transfer pan to a wire rack; let stand 10 minutes. Run a knife around the edge of the cake to loosen, and release sides of pan. Let cool, about 30 minutes, before slicing and serving.

Makes one 9-inch cake

Note: Use the largest spatula you own and as few strokes as possible to maintain the egg white mixture's light, airy consistency when folding it into the chocolate batter. Hazelnut skins will come right off when you toast the nuts; rub them vigorously inside a folded kitchen towel while they're still warm. 3 An offset spatula lets you reach easily into the springform pan to gently coax the meringue over the half-baked cake layer.