Heidi's Mocha Cream Torte

Total Time: 1 hr Preparation Time: 30 mins Cook Time: 30 mins

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs
• 3/4 cup firmly packed brown sugar
• 1/2 cup finely chopped walnuts
• 2 teaspoons espresso powder
• 3/4 cup butter, melted
• 1 chocolate cake mix
• 3 1/2 ounces chocolate pudding
• 3/4 cup water
• 3/4 cup vegetable oil
• 4 eggs
• 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
• 2 tablespoons butter, softened
• 2 cups sifted powdered sugar
• 1 tablespoon espresso powder
• 1 -2 tablespoon half-and-half

Recipe

• 1 heat the over to 350. grease and flour three 9" round cake pans.
• 2 in a large bowl, combine all of the crunch layer ingredients until crumbly.
• 3 firmly press 1/3 crunch mixture (about 1 cup) into each prepared pan.
• 4 in the same bowl, place cake mix, pudding mix and water and blend.
• 5 add eggs, one at a time until well mixed.
• 6 add oil and finish mixing well.
• 7 pour into prepared cake pans, covering crunch layer completely.
• 8 bake for 25 - 30 minutes or until tooth pick comes out clean.
• 9 coll cake for 10 minutes in the pans, then invert onto cooling racks to cool completely.
• 10 in a small bowl blend all frosting ingredients until smooth.
• 11 place one layer, crunch side up, on a serving plate and spread with 1/3 of the frosting.
• 12 repeat with the remaining layers and frosting.
• 13 garnish with chocolate curls, if desired.