Burnt Almond Torte Recipe Pittsburgh Food

COPYCAT OF PRANTL'S BURNT ALMOND TORTE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
• Grease two 8-by-2-inch round cake pans.
• For the cake:
• Sift the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt together into a bowl and set aside.
• Cream the butter and sugar in a large bowl with an electric mixer at medium speed until light and fluffy, about 5 minutes.
• Reduce the speed to medium-low. Add the eggs, one at a time, beating 30 seconds between additions.
• Add alternating increments of the flour mixture and buttermilk and vanilla, blending well after each addition; this should take about 3 to 5 minutes.
• Divide the batter evenly between the prepared pans.
• Bake for about 30 minutes, until a cake tester comes out clean.
• Cool in pans, on wire racks, for 10 minutes, unmold the cakes and let cool completely.
• Note: The cake recipe makes two 8-inch round cake layers. Only one is used for this recipe.
• To make the brittle:
• Combine the granulated sugar, honey and water in a medium-sized saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring to dissolve sugar.
• Boil, without stirring, until the mixture turns a deep amber color, about 10 minutes.
• Remove the pan from the heat and immediately stir in the toasted almonds, butter and baking soda.
• Mix with a wooden spoon just until the butter melts and the foaming subsides.
• Pour the mixture into a nonstick or lightly greased baking sheet and set aside to cool.
• Once the brittle has hardened, break it up and crush to fine crumbs in a food processor.
• Store in a covered container in the refrigerator until ready to use.
• To make the custard cream:
• In a heavy saucepan over medium- low heat, heat milk to barely simmering.
• Meanwhile, combine egg yolks, sugar and cornstarch in a medium mixing bowl. Whisk to blend smoothly.
• Stir the heated milk into the egg mixture; return mixture to saucepan.
• Bring back to a boil, over medium-low heat, whisking constantly; boil 1 minute.
• Remove pan from heat; add butter and vanilla, stirring to melt the butter.
• Transfer custard to a bowl; place a piece of waxed paper directly on top to prevent a crust from forming and refrigerate until cold.
• Whip the cream and confectioners' sugar until stiff peaks form.
• Fold into the chilled custard and refrigerate until ready to use.
• To assemble cake:
• Cut the cake in half horizontally.
• Place one layer on a cake plate, spread cake with cold custard cream and sprinkle with brittle crumbs.
• Cover with the remaining layer of cake.
• Spread the remaining custard cream over cake, applying a thinner coat to the sides, then the top.
• Chill for at least 1 hour before garnishing.
• To garnish, press brittle crumbs onto the sides of the cake with the palm of your hand and sprinkle a layer of crumbs on the top. Refrigerate until ready to use.
• Note: To toast nuts, arrange in a single layer on a baking pan. Bake in a 375-degree oven until golden brown, about 7 to 10 minutes. Allow nuts to cool before using.

BURNT ALMOND CAKE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°F.
• Grease two 8-by-2-inch round cake pans.
• For the cake: Sift the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt together into a bowl and set aside.
• Cream the butter and sugar in a large bowl with an electric mixer at medium speed until light and fluffy, about 5 minutes.
• Reduce the speed to medium-low.
• Add the eggs, one at a time, beating 30 seconds between additions.
• Add alternating increments of the flour mixture and buttermilk and vanilla, blending well after each addition; this should take about 3 to 5 minutes.
• Divide the batter evenly between the prepared pans.
• Bake for about 30 minutes, until a cake tester comes out clean.
• Cool in pans, on wire racks, for 10 minutes, unmold the cakes and let cool completely.
• Note: The cake recipe makes two 8-inch round cake layers.
• Only one is used for this recipe.
• To make the brittle: Combine the granulated sugar, honey and water in a medium-sized saucepan.
• Bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring to dissolve sugar.
• Boil, without stirring, until the mixture turns a deep amber color, about 10 minutes.
• Remove the pan from the heat and immediately stir in the toasted almonds, butter and baking soda.
• Mix with a wooden spoon just until the butter melts and the foaming subsides.
• Pour the mixture into a nonstick or lightly greased baking sheet and set aside to cool.
• Once the brittle has hardened, break it up and crush to fine crumbs in a food processor.
• Store in a covered container in the refrigerator until ready to use.
• To make the custard cream: In a heavy saucepan over medium-low heat, heat milk to barely simmering.
• Meanwhile, combine egg yolks, sugar and cornstarch in a medium mixing bowl.
• Whisk to blend smoothly.
• Stir the heated milk into the egg mixture; return mixture to saucepan.
• Bring back to a boil, over medium-low heat, whisking constantly; boil 1 minute.
• Remove pan from heat; add butter and vanilla, stirring to melt the butter.
• Transfer custard to a bowl; place a piece of waxed paper directly on top to prevent a crust from forming and refrigerate until cold.
• Whip the cream and confectioners' sugar until stiff peaks form.
• Fold into the chilled custard and refrigerate until ready to use.
• To assemble cake: Cut the cake in half horizontally.
• Place one layer on a cake plate, spread cake with cold custard cream and sprinkle with brittle crumbs.
• Cover with the remaining layer of cake.
• Spread the remaining custard cream over cake, applying a thinner coat to the sides than the top.
• Chill for a least 1 hour before garnishing.
• To garnish, press brittle crumbs onto the sides of the cake with the palm of your hand and sprinkle a layer of crumbs on the top.
• Refrigerate until ready to use.
• Note: To toast nuts, arrange in a single layer on a baking pan.
• Bake in a 375F oven until golden brown, about 7 to 10 minutes.
• Allow nuts to cool before using.

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.