2 c. walnuts, chopped
8 eggs, separated
1 1/2 c. confectioners' sugar
1/2 c. softened butter
6 sqs. semi-sweet chocolate (melted) or 3 semi-sweet and 3 unsweet
3 tbsp. cornstarch
1 1/2 tsp. vanilla

Preheat oven to 325 degrees. In large bowl, mixer at high speed, beat egg whites until soft peaks form, beating at high speed. Sprinkle half of confectioners' sugar in 2 tablespoons at a time. Beat well after each addition. Whites should be stiff and glossy.

In another bowl, at low speed, beat yolks, butter, 1 cup confectioners' sugar, nuts, chocolate and cornstarch, vanilla. Mix constantly scraping bowl with rubber spatula. Increase speed to medium and beat 4 minutes.

With spatula, fold in egg whites, just until mixed. (Mixture will decrease in volume slightly.)

Pour into ungreased 10 inch tube pan, level top. Bake 1 hour 15 minutes until cracks look dry. Invert pan on bottle or funnel. Cool completely. Loosen cake from pan, remove to plate. Frost with favorite frosting.