Decadent Chocolate Cake

Directions

1. 1
   Preheat oven to 350°.
2. 2
   Grease and flour 10-inch tube pan. Knock out excess.
3. 3
   Pour boiling water over chocolate and butter; let stand until melted.
4. 4
   Stir in vanilla and sugar; then whisk in egg yolks, one at a time, blending well after each.
5. 5
   Mix baking soda and sour cream into chocolate mixture.
6. 6
   Sift flour and baking powder together and add to batter, mixing thoroughly.
7. 7
   Beat egg whites until stiff but not dry.
8. 8
   Stir in a quarter of the egg whites.
9. 9
   Scoop remaining whites on top of batter gently and fold in.
10. 10
    Pour the batter into prepared pan.
11. 11
    Set on middle rack of oven.
12. 12
    Bake 40 to 50 minutes or until edges pull away from side of pan and cake tester comes out clean.
13. 13
    Cool in pan for 10 minutes. Unmold and cool completely before frosting.
14. 14
    Makes 12 portions.