Chocolate Espresso – Nut Torte

Recipe provided courtesy of Taste of Home magazine.  Find more great recipes at www.tasteofhome.com

I love chocolate and nuts, and they come together deliciously in this torte.  Serve it with sweetened whipped cream or your favorite ice cream.

          Thomas Faglon                                                                                Somerset, New Jersey

Chocolate Espresso – Nut Torte Recipe

Chocolate Espresso – Nut Torte

5 eggs, separated

1 tsp. baking cocoa

1 cup hazelnuts, toasted and skins removed

3 Tbsp. dark brown sugar

½ cup butter, softened

2/3 cup sugar

6 oz. bittersweet chocolate, melted and cooled

1 tsp. instant espresso powder

1 tsp. almond extract

¼ tsp. salt

Ganache:   6 oz. bittersweet chocolate, chopped

½ cup heavy whipping cream

½ cup finely chopped almonds, toasted

Place egg whites in a large bowl; let stand at room temperature for 30 minutes.   Line the bottom of a greased 9 inch springform pan with waxed paper; grease the paper and dust with cocoa.  Set aside

Place hazelnuts and brown sugar in a food processor; cover and process until ground.  In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy, about 5 minutes.  Add egg yolks, one at a time, beating well after each addition.  Beat in the melted chocolate, espresso powder, extract and salt.  Gradually add hazelnuts mixture.

In a large bowl with clean beaters, beat egg whites until stiff peaks form.  Fold into batter.  Spread into prepared pan.  Place pan on a baking sheet.

Bake at 375 F. for 35 – 40 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out with a few moist crumbs.  Cool on wire rack to room temperature.  Remove sides of pan and invest onto a serving plate.

Place chocolate in a small bowl.  In a small saucepan, bring cream just to a boil.  Pour over chocolate; whisk until smooth.  Cool, stirring occasionally, to room temperature or until ganache reaches a spreading consistency, about 30 minutes.

Spread ganache over top and sides of cake; press almonds onto sides.  Cover and refrigerate for 30 minutes or until set.               14 servings

 

(Recipe for Chocolate Espresso – Nut Torte was on www.tasteofhome.com, 2013)