Jerry'S Chocolate Cake - cooking recipe

Ingredients

sugar
1 1/4 sticks unsalted butter
1/2 c. sugar, divided
12 oz. semi-sweet chocolate
1 Tbsp. brandy
4 large eggs, separated (at room temperature)
1 tsp. vanilla
pinch of salt
powdered sugar (if desired)

Preparation

Preheat oven to 425\u00b0.
Butter a 9-inch spring-form pan (2 1/2 inches on sides).
Coat pan with sugar; tap out excess.
Melt butter and 1/4 cup sugar in heavy medium saucepan over low heat, stirring until sugar dissolves.
Add chocolate; stir until melted. Remove from heat.
Mix in brandy.
Whisk egg yolks in medium bowl until thick and pale yellow, approximately 4 minutes.
Whisk in warm chocolate mixture and vanilla (mixture will be very thick or may appear broken).
Using electric mixer, beat egg whites with salt in large bowl until foaming, gradually adding remaining sugar, 1 tablespoon at a time.
Beat until soft peaks form. Whisk 1/3 of egg whites into chocolate mixture.
Gently fold in remaining whites.