Black And White Chocolate Torte Food

BLACK-AND-WHITE CHOCOLATE TORTE

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350°F. Grease bottoms only of 2 (8- or 9-inch) round cake pans with shortening; lightly flour.
• In 2-quart saucepan, cook unsweetened chocolate, butter and hot water over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until melted and smooth. Remove from heat; cool 5 minutes. In large bowl, mix flour, brown sugar, baking soda and salt. Add melted chocolate mixture, beating just until blended. Add eggs, one at a time, beating until blended. Beat in sour cream and vanilla. Pour batter into pans.
• Bake 30 to 32 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool 15 minutes; remove from pans to cooling racks. Cool completely, about 1 hour.
• Meanwhile, in 1-quart saucepan, mix granulated sugar, liqueur and 1 tablespoon water. Heat to boiling, stirring occasionally, until sugar is dissolved; remove from heat. Cool completely.
• In medium microwavable bowl, microwave 1/2 cup of the whipping cream and the white chocolate uncovered on High 45 to 60 seconds or until mixture can be stirred smooth with whisk. Cover surface directly with plastic wrap; refrigerate 30 minutes or until cooled but not firm.
• Cut each cake layer horizontally to make 2 layers. (Mark side of cake with toothpicks and cut with long, thin serrated knife.) Brush about 2 tablespoons coffee mixture over cut side of each layer; let stand 1 minute.
• In large bowl, beat white chocolate mixture and remaining 3 cups whipping cream with electric mixer on medium-high speed until soft peaks form. Place 1 cake layer, cut side up, on serving plate; spread with 1 cup whipped cream mixture to within 1/4 inch of edge. Top with another layer, cut side down; spread with 1 cup whipped cream mixture. Repeat with remaining layers. Frost side and top of cake with remaining whipped cream mixture. Store loosely covered in refrigerator.

RICH FLOURLESS CHOCOLATE TORTE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
• In a heavy bottomed pot, combine the sugar and corn syrup and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to low and cook for 5 minutes. Remove from the heat. Melt the 20 ounces chopped chocolate in the top of a double boiler over simmering water. Stir the chocolate occasionally as it melts. Remove the pan from the heat and stir in the butter. Set aside to cool slightly. With an electric mixer, beat the eggs at high speed until frothy. Lower the speed to medium and carefully pour the hot syrup into the beaten eggs. Add the melted chocolate and butter mixture and blend to a smooth consistency. Butter a 10 inch to 12inch round cake pan lightly and pour in the chocolate mixture. Set the cake pan into a larger pan (such as a roasting pan) and add hot water to rise halfway up the sides of the cake pan. Place in the preheated oven and bake about 45 to 50 minutes.
• Being very careful not to scald yourself or get water into the torte, remove the pans from the oven, and remove the cake pan from the water bath. Cool the torte completely to room temperature before unmolding. Run a sharp knife around the inner circumference of the pan. Place a plate over the pan, invert, and, if necessary, tap the bottom of the pan with the knife handle to encourage the torte to release.
• The torte should then be refrigerated for at least 3 hours before serving. While the torte is cooling, place the heavy cream in a thick bottomed pot and begin to heat gently. Add the remaining 8 ounces of chocolate, stir together while the chocolate begins to melt in the hot cream. Being careful not to burn, boil or scorch the chocolate, when the chocolate has melted almost entirely, remove from the heat and allow to cool for several minutes before pouring over the torte for a glossy "finish". Place the unmolded torte on a baking rack with a cookie sheet underneath, and pour slightly cooled chocolate ganache directly onto the center of the torte in one motion so that it will flow out in one smooth sheet over the top and sides of the torte. You can gently help this along with the aid of a spatula but is important to use still warmed ganache.
• Allow to dry a few moments at room temperature. Then place the torte, baking rack, and cookie sheet into the refrigerator to chill completely and set firm. If you haven't overheated the chocolate or cream, this "ganache" will set and harden into a shiny "couverture" during the hour the torte is chilling in the refrigerator.

WHITE CHOCOLATE CHRISTMAS TORTE

Steps:

• In a large saucepan, combine butter, water and white chocolate; cook and stir over low heat until melted. Remove from the heat; stir in the buttermilk, eggs and extracts.
• In a small bowl, combine 1/2 cup flour and pecans. In a large mixing bowl, combine the sugar, baking soda and remaining flour. Gradually beat in the butter mixture. Stir in the flour mixture.
• Pour into three greased and floured 9-in round baking pans. Bake at 350 degrees for 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes before removing from the pans to wire racks to cool completely.
• For frosting, in a small saucepan, melt white chocolate over very low heat. Cool for 10 minutes, stirring occasionaly. In a large mixing bowl, beat cream cheese and butter. Gradually beat in melted chocolate and extracts. Gradually beat in confectioners' sugar until smooth.
• To assemble, spread 2 tablespoons of jam over one cake layer; spread with 1/2 cup frosting. Repeat layers twice. Spread remaining frosting over top and sides of torte. Warm remaining jam; drizzle over dessert plates. Top with a slice of torte.

WHITE CHOCOLATE-ALMOND TORTE

Steps:

• Heat oven to 325°F. Grease bottom and side of 9- or 10-inch springform pan with shortening; lightly flour. Place almonds on ungreased cookie sheet; bake 4 to 7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until lightly browned. Reserve 2 tablespoons almonds for garnish. Place remaining almonds in food processor or blender. Cover; process until almonds are ground; set aside.
• In small bowl, mix flour, baking powder and salt; set aside. In large bowl, beat 1/2 cup butter and the granulated sugar with electric mixer on medium speed, scraping bowl occasionally, until fluffy. Add eggs one at a time, beating on high speed after each addition until smooth and blended. Add milk, liqueur, 1 teaspoon vanilla, the flour mixture and ground almonds; beat on medium speed until smooth. Stir in 6 ounces white chocolate. Spread batter in pan.
• Bake 50 to 55 minutes or until center springs back when lightly touched and top is evenly browned. Cool 15 minutes; remove side of pan. Cool completely, about 1 hour 30 minutes.
• Meanwhile, in 2-quart saucepan, heat 4 ounces white chocolate and boiling water over low heat, stirring constantly, just until chocolate is melted. Stir in 1 teaspoon vanilla; cool to room temperature. In large bowl, beat 3/4 cup butter on medium speed until fluffy. Gradually beat in cooled white chocolate mixture and powdered sugar until smooth.
• Run long knife under cake to loosen from pan bottom; transfer to serving plate. Spread frosting over side and top of torte. Garnish with reserved toasted almonds.

WHITE CHOCOLATE CHRISTMAS TORTE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°. In a large saucepan, combine butter, water and white chocolate; cook and stir over low heat until melted. Remove from the heat; stir in the buttermilk, eggs and extracts. , In a small bowl, combine 1/2 cup flour and pecans. In a large bowl, combine the sugar, baking soda and remaining flour. Gradually beat in butter mixture. Stir in pecan mixture. , Pour into three greased and floured 9-in. round baking pans. Bake until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, 25-30 minutes. Cool for 10 minutes before removing from pans to wire racks to cool completely. , For frosting, in a microwave, melt white chocolate; stir until smooth. Cool for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. , In a large bowl, beat cream cheese and butter. Gradually beat in melted chocolate and extracts. Gradually beat in confectioners' sugar until smooth., To assemble, spread 2 tablespoons of jam over one cake layer; spread with 1/2 cup frosting. Repeat layers twice. Spread remaining frosting over top and sides of torte. Warm remaining jam; drizzle over dessert plates. Top with a slice of torte.