Austrian Almond Torte Recipes

ALMOND TORTE

Steps:

• In a double boiler or metal bowl over simmering water, constantly whisk the sugar, cornstarch, sour cream and egg yolks until mixture reaches 160° or is thick enough to coat the back of a spoon. , Remove from the heat; stir in butter and extracts until blended. Press waxed paper onto surface of custard. Refrigerate for several hours or overnight., Place egg whites in a large bowl; let stand at room temperature for 30 minutes. Line two 8-in. round baking pans with waxed paper. Coat sides and paper with cooking spray; sprinkle with flour and set aside., In a large bowl, beat butter and 1/2 cup sugar until blended, about 2 minutes. Add egg yolks; mix well. Beat in the milk, applesauce and vanilla (mixture may appear curdled). Combine the flour, baking powder and salt; add to butter mixture. Transfer to prepared pans; set aside., Using clean beaters, beat egg whites on medium speed until soft peaks form. Gradually beat in remaining sugar, 2 tablespoons at a time, on high until stiff glossy peaks form and sugar is dissolved. Spread evenly over batter; sprinkle with almonds and cinnamon., Bake at 350° for 25-30 minutes or until meringue is lightly browned. Cool in pans on wire racks for 10 minutes (meringue will crack). Loosen edges of cakes from pans with a knife. Using 2 large spatulas, carefully remove 1 cake to a serving plate, meringue side up; remove remaining cake to a wire rack, meringue side up. Cool cakes completely., Carefully spread custard over cake on serving plate; top with remaining cake. Store in the refrigerator.

AUSTRIAN ALMOND TORTE (MALAKOFF-TORTE)

Steps:

• Beat the butter, egg yolks, and sugar until light and fluffy.
• Stir in the ground almonds, cream, and optional rum.
• Dip the ladyfingers in the milk and cover the bottom of a 9-inch (23 cm) springform pan with them.
• (Note: Wrap the outside of the springform pan with aluminum foil and secure with a piece of string to prevent leakage.) Spread 1/3 of the almond mixture over the ladyfingers.
• Repeat with alternating layers of ladyfingers and almond mixture, ending with a layer of ladyfingers.
• Wrap tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil, place a heavy plate or cutting board on top, and refrigerate overnight.
• To serve, run a thin knife blade around the inside of the pan before releasing the spring.
• Press toasted slivered almonds around the side of the torte and top with powdered sugar or whipped cream.

APRICOT ALMOND LINZERTORTE

Steps:

• Make pastry:
• Pulse toasted almonds and sugar in a food processor until nuts are finely ground. Sift together flour, salt, cinnamon, ginger, and cloves into a bowl, then add to ground nuts in processor and pulse to combine.
• Lightly beat yolks, extracts, and zest in a small bowl with a fork. Add to food processor along with butter, then pulse until dough forms a ball. Form one third of dough into a disk, then roll out between 2 sheets of plastic wrap into a 10-inch round. Transfer to a baking sheet and chill until firm, about 10 minutes. Roll out remaining dough between 2 sheets of plastic wrap into a 12-inch round, then transfer to another baking sheet and chill until firm, about 10 minutes.
• Make filling:
• Simmer water, sugar, brandy, and apricots in a small saucepan, uncovered, stirring occasionally, until apricots are tender and liquid is syrupy, 15 to 20 minutes. Transfer mixture to cleaned food processor and pulse until almost smooth. Spread mixture onto a plate and chill 15 minutes.
• Bake torte:
• Preheat oven to 350°F with rack in middle.
• Remove bottom of springform pan and invert, then lock on side. Remove larger dough round from refrigerator and peel off top layer of plastic wrap, then invert round into pan (pastry will break in spots). Press dough evenly onto bottom, then discard plastic. Fold in edge of dough and press 1/2 inch up side of pan (side will be thicker than bottom). Press gently to close any cracks.
• Bake pastry until lightly browned, about 20 minutes, then cool completely on a rack, about 30 minutes. (Dough will puff up as it bakes but will settle as it cools.)
• Spread filling into crust with an offset spatula or back of a spoon.
• Peel top layer of plastic wrap from smaller dough round, then cut round into 1/2-inch-wide strips. (Chill strips again if necessary.) Arrange half of strips over filling about 1 inch apart, pressing ends onto edge of torte. Arrange remaining strips across first strips to form a simple lattice. Press edges together with your fingertips.
• Bake until top is browned, 40 to 50 minutes. Cool completely, about 2 hours.
• Before serving, remove side of pan and dust edge of torte with confectioners sugar.

SACHER TORTE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°. Combine apricots and amaretto; let stand 15 minutes. In another bowl, combine cake mix, eggs, water, oil and apricot mixture. Beat on low speed 30 seconds; beat on medium 2 minutes. , Pour into 2 greased and floured 9-in. round baking pans. Bake until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean, 22-27 minutes. Cool in pans 10 minutes before removing to a wire rack to cool completely., For filling, heat apricot preserves and amaretto on low in a small saucepan, stirring occasionally, until preserves are melted; set aside. , For glaze, combine cream and corn syrup in a small saucepan. Bring just to a boil. Pour over chocolate; whisk until smooth. Stir in vanilla., Using a long serrated knife, cut each cake horizontally in half. Place 1 layer on a serving plate; spread with half of the filling. Top with another layer; spread with a third of the glaze. Cover with third layer and remaining filling. Top with remaining layer; spread top and sides of torte with remaining glaze. If desired, spread toasted almonds on edges or sides of torte. Refrigerate several hours before slicing.

AUSTRIAN ALMOND TORTE

Steps:

• 1. Heat oven to 350°. Cover bottom of a 9-inch springform pan with aluminum foil, tucking ends under bottom. Insert in pan. Grease bottom and inside of pan.2. To make cake, mix flour, cocoa, baking powder, and salt. Beat egg whites in a small bowl with electric mixer until stiff peaks form when beaters are lifted. Beat butter and sugar in a large bowl until fluffy. Add egg yolks, one at a time, beating well after each addition. On low speed, beat in milk, vanilla, and almond extract (mixture will look curdled). Beat in flour mixture, then nuts. By hand, gently fold in beaten egg whites until no white streaks remain. Spread evenly in prepared pan. Bake 55 to 60 minutes until cake begins to pull away from side of pan and a toothpick inserted 1 inch from edge comes out clean. Cool 10 minutes on a wire rack. Loosen cake from outer ring of pan with a sharp knife. Remove ring. Cool cake completely. Invert cake onto a flat serving plate. Remove bottom of pan. Brush excess crumbs from cake. If not using immediately, wrap in aluminum foil to prevent drying.3. To make glaze, melt chocolate and butter in a small saucepan overlow heat. Remove from heat. Beat in milk and corn syrup until smooth and glossy. Quickly spread warm glaze over top and side of cake. Let stand until set, about 45 minutes.4. To decorate cake, rinse and hull strawberries. Let dry, stem-side down, on paper towels. Arrange berries, stem-side down, on top of cake. In a small saucepan, stir water and cornstarch until dissolved. Stir in preserves and food color. Bring to a boil over low heat. Cook and stir 1 to 2 minutes until shiny and slightly thickened. Press mixture through a sieve with a rubber scraper to remove pulp. Cool slightly. Spoon a small amount of glaze over each berry, allowing some of the glaze to drizzle down side of cake. Let stand until set, about 30 minutes. Cut into wedges with a serrated knife.