Duchess Of Parma Torte Recipes

PRINSESSTåRTA

Steps:

• For the vanilla custard, pour the milk into a pan with the vanilla seeds and vanilla pod and place over a low heat until just simmering. Remove from the heat.
• In a large bowl, whisk the egg yolks, sugar and cornflour together until pale and creamy.
• Remove the vanilla pod from the warm milk. (You can rinse this off to use in making vanilla sugar.)
• Stir the warm milk slowly into the egg mixture. Pour the mixture back into the pan and cook over a low heat for 4-5 minutes, whisking, until the mixture thickens. (It should be very thick.)
• Remove from the heat and beat in the butter until melted and incorporated. Transfer to a bowl, cover the surface with clingfilm to prevent a skin forming and leave to cool. Set aside to chill in the fridge.
• For the jam, tip the raspberries into a deep saucepan with the sugar and two tablespoons of water. Cook gently over a low heat, stirring occasionally, until the sugar is dissolved. Bring the mixture to the boil and boil vigorously for about four minutes, or until the temperature reaches 104C/219F on a sugar thermometer. Transfer to a heatproof bowl and leave to cool completely.
• For the sponge, preheat the oven to 180C/160C(fan)/Gas 4. Grease and line the base of a 23cm/9in springform tin with baking parchment.
• Put the eggs and sugar into a large bowl and using an electric mixer, whisk together until the mixture is very pale and thick and the whisk leaves a trail on the surface when lifted. This will take about five minutes.
• Sift the cornflour, flour and baking powder over the egg mixture and carefully fold in using a large metal spoon. Fold in the melted butter, taking care not to over mix.
• Pour the mixture into the lined tin and bake for 25-30 minutes until the sponge is golden-brown and has just started to shrink away from the sides of the tin. Remove from the oven and set aside to cool. When cool enough to handle, turn out on to a wire rack to cool completely.
• For the fondant rose, roll 10 little pieces of fondant into small balls about the size of a cherry stone.
• Dust two small pieces of greaseproof paper with icing sugar and one by one, place the balls of fondant between the sheets of greaseproof and flatten each ball out with your fingers, to a thin circle, approximately 2cm/1in in diameter. These form the petals. Roll the first petal up like a sausage to form a bud and wrap the remaining petals around the bud to make a rose. Bend and curl the edges of the petals, to make them look more realistic. Leave to dry for at least an hour.
• To assemble the cake, using a serrated knife, cut the cake horizontally into three even layers. Place one of the sponges onto a serving plate. Spread a very thin layer of custard over the base of the first sponge.
• Spoon a quarter of the custard into a piping bag fitted with a small plain nozzle and pipe a border around the edge of the sponge - this is to contain the jam.
• Spoon the jam over the sponge, and spread evenly within the border.
• In a bowl, whip 600ml/20fl oz of the double cream to firm peaks. Fold half of the whipped cream into the remaining custard.
• Spread one-third of the custard cream over the jam.
• Place the second sponge on top and spread over the remaining custard cream.
• Place the third sponge on top. Spoon over the remaining whipped cream covering the sides and smoothing into a small dome shape on the top. Set aside in the fridge for an hour.
• For the marzipan, mix the ground almonds and sugars in a mixer fitted with a dough hook, before adding the eggs and almond extract.
• Knead in the bowl until it forms a stiff dough. Turn out onto a surface dusted with icing sugar. Using a cocktail stick add a tiny amount of green food colouring and knead to an even pastel green colour.
• Roll out the marzipan on a surface lightly dusted with icing sugar, to a 40cm/16in diameter circle, large enough to cover the cake. Lift the marzipan up over the cake and using your hands, shape the marzipan around the sides of the cake to get a smooth finish. Trim any excess.
• Whip the remaining 150ml/5½fl oz of cream to medium peaks and spoon into a piping bag fitted with a small star nozzle. Pipe around the base of the cake.
• Spoon the melted chocolate into a small paper piping bag. Snip off the end and pipe a swirl over the top of the cake. Top with the fondant rose.

DOBOS TORTA

Steps:

• Combine both chocolates in a heatproof bowl and melt over a saucepan of simmering water. Incorporate with a spatula. Cool slightly; the chocolate should remain fluid.
• Pour the sugar into a small saucepan, carefully pour ¼ cup (59 ml) of the water around the outside edge of the sugar, and carefully pull the water into the center of the sugar to moisten; this will help prevent the sugar from crystallizing. Cover, turn the heat to medium, and cook for 3 to 4 minutes, until the sugar has melted. Uncover and cook, without stirring, until the caramel is a golden honey color. (You can test this by putting a drop on a white plate.) Remove from the heat and carefully swirl the caramel a few times to cool, then stand back and carefully (again with the carefully), slowly whisk in 3 tablespoons (45 ml) water. The caramel should have a honey consistency; if it's too thick, add a few more drops of water.
• Whisk the caramel into the egg yolks in the bowl of a stand mixer (or a large heatproof bowl) and set over the saucepan of simmering water. Cook, whisking, until the mixture registers 140F (60°C) on an instant-read thermometer. Attach the bowl to the mixer fitted with the paddle attachment (or use a handheld mixer in the bowl) and beat on medium speed until the mixture is cool; it will become thicker and lighter.
• With the mixer running, add the butter by the tablespoon until it is all incorporated. If the buttercream begins to separate, stop adding the butter and mix until it looks smooth again, then resume adding the butter. Add the salt and mix to combine, then scrape down the sides of the bowl.
• With the mixer on low, add the melted chocolate in 3 additions, followed by the vanilla. Scrape down the sides of the bowl and taste the buttercream. Mix in the remaining 1½ teaspoons water and give the buttercream another taste. The water opens up the flavor of the buttercream, sending the chocolate right into your taste buds.
• You can use the buttercream right away, or refrigerate for up to 5 days or freeze for up to 4 months. Be sure to bring it to room temperature before using, and beat it lightly in your mixture to restore its texture.
• Preheat the oven to 350°F. With a dark marker, trace eight 9-­inch circles onto eight 11-­by-­17-­inch sheets of parchment, then flip the sheets over.
• In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment (or in a large bowl, using a handheld mixer), cream the butter, confectioners' sugar, baking powder, and salt on medium-­high speed until light and fluffy, about 4 minutes. Add the lemon zest, then reduce the speed to medium and add the egg yolks one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Transfer the mixture to a large bowl and fold in the cake flour in 3 additions. Wash and dry the mixer bowl if using a stand mixer.
• In the bowl of the stand mixer, fitted with the whisk attachment (or in another large bowl, using the handheld mixer, with clean beaters), beat the egg whites on low speed until foamy. Add the cream of tartar, then gradually increase the mixer speed and slowly add the granulated sugar. Beat until the whites hold stiff peaks. Whisk one-­third of the beaten egg whites into the batter to loosen it, then gently fold in the remaining egg whites in 2 additions.
• Scoop the batter onto the sheets of parchment, dividing it evenly and placing it in the center of the circles you drew on the paper. (Look, I'm supposed to be a fancy pastry chef, and I just eyeball it, so just do your best to be accurate. It's gonna be amazing no matter what!) With a small offset spatula, spread the batter in a thin, even layer, filling the circles.
• Place 2 of the sheets of parchment on sheet pans and bake until the layers are golden brown and spring back when touched, 10 to 12 minutes, rotating the pans halfway through baking. Let the layers cool completely, then run a large offset spatula under each layer to free it from the parchment. Repeat with the remaining layers, noting that the baking time may decrease with subsequent layers, since the pans are already warm. Be sure to set one of your layers away from where you will be assembling the cake-I have in fact accidentally frosted my intended caramel layer and then had to make a whole new batch of cake just to get another top.
• To assemble the cake: Arrange one cake layer on a serving plate and top with about a heaping ½ cup (115 grams) of the buttercream. Using a small offset spatula, spread it into a thin, even layer. Repeat with 6 more layers. Transfer a few tablespoons of the buttercream to a piping bag fitted with a small start tip and set aside, then frost the top and sides of the cake with the remaining buttercream. Transfer the cake to the refrigerator and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, or up to overnight, to set the buttercream. (The cake can be refrigerated for up to 3 days. Let come to room temperature before making the caramel triangles and garnishing the cake.)
• When the buttercream is set, remove the cake from the fridge and, with a knife, make very light marks on top of the cake to divide it into 16 or 18 wedges. Pipe a small rosette of the reserved buttercream onto the middle of each wedge.
• Place the reserved unfrosted cake layer on a sheet of parchment set on a cutting board, and have a large sharp knife, an offset spatula, and the flaky salt handy. Pour the sugar into a small frying pan set over medium heat. As the sugar begins to melt and brown at the edges, use a heatproof spatula to pull the melted sugar toward the center, but don't stir constantly, as this can make the caramel lumpy; if it does become lumpy, reduce the heat to low and cook, stirring occasionally, until the lumps melt. Continue cooking until all the sugar is melted and the caramel is a deep reddish-­brown color and just starting to foam. Immediately remove from the heat and, working quickly, pour the caramel over the cake layer, using an offset spatula to coat it in a thin, even layer. Sprinkle with flaky salt. Let the caramel cool slightly; as the caramel begins to set, slide your knife through the top of the butter to coat it and score the layer into 16 or 18 pieces, using the paper to rotate the layer and sliding the knife through the butter again between scores to coat it. Then, when the caramel is firm enough to cut through, cut through! You want the caramel to be set enough that you can cut it without shattering, but if you cut too soon, it will pull the caramel off the cake and stick to the knife, and you'll be pissed off. As you're cutting, keep in mind that the outside will set more quickly than the center. Then let the caramel-­topped triangles cool completely.
• Once they are cool, arrange the triangles on the top of the cake, points facing inward: Balance the triangles on one long edge, using the rosettes for support, so that they stand up like a fan on the top of the cake. Cut the cake into wedges to serve.

DUCHESS OF PARMA TORTE

Steps:

• Chocolate Buttercream:.
• In an electric mixer bowl, combine egg yolks, sugar, coffee and rum.
• Remove from mixer and wisk by hand over pan of boiling water. Use candy thermometer and stop wisking when it reads between 160 and 165 degrees Farenheit and is a thick custard. Do not immerse the bowl in the water.
• Place the bowl back on the mixer and beat on a high speed until cool (about 8 to 10 minutes). The mixture should be thickened.
• Add the melted chocolates
• Beat in the butter 1 tablespoon at a time, scraping sides occasionally. The buttercream should be silken and fluffy. If too soft, refridgerate 20 minutes and beat again to fluff it up. If you are making the buttercream ahead of time, cover and refridgerate.
• Meringues:.
• Butter and flour three 9-inch round cake pans. Cut circles of parchment paper and fit them to the pans.
• Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
• Grind nuts and half the sugar and all the flour in a food processor. The nuts should be very fine but not turned to nut butter.
• Beat egg whites and cream of tartar until peaks are stiff.
• Fold nuts into meringue, keeping the meringue light.
• Spread mixture into pans.
• Bake for 22 minutes or until golden brown.They should be almost hard but still springy.
• Let meringues cool completley.
• Run a knife around edges and very carefully remove from pans.
• Trim any ragged edges.
• Leave in a cool, dry place until ready to assemble.
• Zabaione Buttercream:.
• In an electric mixer, mix egg yolks, marsala, sugar and rum.
• Remove from mixer and wisk by hand over boiling water until candy thermometer reads between 160 and 165 degrees farenheit. Should be a thick custard.
• Return to mixer and beat on high for eight to ten minutes or until cool and thick.
• Add 9 tablespoons of butter one tablespoon at a time and beat until each addition is smooth.
• Add last 3 tablespoons at once and beat until smooth and thick. If it's not thick enough, chill for 20 minutes and beat again.
• If made ahead of time, cover and refrigerate.
• Glaze:.
• Combine all ingrediends in small bowl and set over boiling water or a double boiler.
• Stir until smooth.
• Set aside.
• Assembling the Torte:.
• Use paper towls to protect the edges of a flat round cake plate.
• Dab about a tablespoon of chocolate buttercream in the middle to hold the torte in place.
• Place one meringue layer in center of plate.
• Spread chocolate buttercream about 3/4 inch thick, making the it a little thicker around the edges.
• Set second meringue layer upside down ontop of first.
• Spread all zabaione buttercream on the meringue, making it a little thicker around the edges.
• Top with last meringue, again, upside down.
• Firm the torte in the refridgerator for 30 minutes.
• Spread thin layer of chocolate buttercream along sides and top of torte.
• Pipe an undulating border around outer edge of top layer,.
• Refridgerate at least one hour before glazing.
• About one hour before serving, spoon glaze over top and spread so it reaches the buttercream border. Avoid refridgerating if possible. It will dim the glazes sheen.