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1
Adjust rack one-third up from bottom of the oven and preheat oven to 325 degrees.
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2
Dust the inside of a 9-inch bundt pan (called a minibundt pan), or any other fancy tube pan with a 10-cup capacity, with fine dry breadcrumbs.
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3
Invert the pan over a piece of paper and tap lightly to shake out excess crumbs.
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4
Set aside.
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5
Place the chocolate in the top of a small double boiler over hot water on low heat.
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6
Cover and cook only until melted; then remove the top of the double boiler and set it aside, uncovered, to cool slightly.
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7
Sift together the flour, baking soda and salt and set aside.
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8
In a two-cup measuring cup dissolve the coffee in a little boiling water.
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9
Add cold water to the 1 1/2 cup line.
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10
Add the bourbon.
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11
Set aside.
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12
Cream the butter in the large bowl of an electric mixer.
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13
Add the vanilla and sugar and beat to mix well.
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14
Add the eggs one at a time, beating until smooth after each addition.
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15
Add the chocolate and beat until smooth.
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16
Then, on low speed, alternately add the sifted dry ingredients in three additions with the liquids in two additions, adding the liquids very gradually to avoid splashing and scraping the bowl with a rubber spatula after each addition.
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17
Be sure to beat until smooth after each addition, especially after the last.
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18
It will be a thin mixture.
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19
Pour the mixture into the prepared pan.
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20
Rotate the pan a bit briskly, first in one direction, then in the other, to level the top.
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21
In a minibundt pan the batter will almost reach the top of the pan, but it will not run over and you will have a beautifully high cake.
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22
Bake for one hour and 10 to 15 minutes.
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23
Test by inserting a cake tester in the middle of the cake and bake only until the tester comes out clean and dry.
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24
Cool in the pan for about 15 minutes.
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25
Then cover with a rack and invert.
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26
Remove the pan, sprinkle the cake with a little optional bourbon, and leave the cake upside down on a rack to cool.
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27
Before serving, if you wish, sprinkle the top with confectioners' sugar through a fine strainer.
