Chocolate Hazelnut Torte Recipe

Chocolate Hazelnut Torte Recipe

Recipe: Chocolate Hazelnut Torte

Summary: This delicious, dense, and moist cake recipe was created by Chef Edward Leonard at the Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts. It’s a little bit fussier baking than dumping a cake mix in a box, but don’t be intimidated by the number of steps or bowls used. You’ll be rewarded with a cake that’s unlike anything you can buy from the store. Enjoy!

Ingredients

  • 1⁄2 cup peeled hazelnuts
  • 1⁄4 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 Tbl quality cocoa
  • 1⁄4 tsp Kosher salt
  • 4 large eggs, room temperature
  • 6 oz 72% cacao extra bittersweet chocolate baking chips
  • 6 oz cold unsalted butter, diced
  • 2 Tbl Nutella
  • 1⁄2 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 tsp real vanilla extract
  • 1⁄4 tsp cream of tartar
  • 1⁄4 cup granulated white sugar

Instructions

  • Toast Hazelnuts: Place hazelnuts in 300°F oven for 10–12 minutes.
  • In food processor, pulse toasted nuts, flour, cocoa, and salt until finely ground.
  • Heat oven to 375°F. Line the bottom of an 8 x 3-inch spring-form pan with parchment paper that has been rubbed with cold butter; set aside.
  • Separate eggs; set aside.
  • Melt chocolate, butter and Nutella in a stainless steel bowl over a small pan of low simmering water. Remove from heat; reserve.
  • With electric mixer, beat egg yolks, 1⁄2 cup sugar and vanilla until pale and thick (about 4–5 minutes), creating a ribbon effect when you lift beater.
  • With a rubber spatula, gently fold in the warm chocolate mixture. Then fold in the ground nut mixture; reserve.
  • In a clean stainless steel bowl, with the whisk attachment, whisk egg whites at medium speed until foamy; add cream of tartar. Whisk just until soft peaks form. Gradually add sugar, beating at high speed, until meringue is fluffy and still moist.
  • With a whisk, fold 1⁄3 of the whites into the chocolate batter. Quickly fold in the remaining whites. Do not overmix.
  • Pour mixture into prepared pan and smooth the top.
  • Bake 30 to 40 minutes. Check cake by placing a toothpick into the center of the cake; when done, moist crumbs will appear.
  • Cool in pan on wire rack for about 15 minutes. It will slightly rise and fall a bit in the center. Remove from pan.
  • Serve with chocolate sauce and soft whipped cream, if desired.

Preparation time: 10 minute(s)

Cooking time: 40 minute(s)

Number of servings (yield): 8