Dense Chocolate Torte Food

DENSE CHOCOLATE TORTE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 300&Deg;F with rack in middle. Wrap outside of cake pan in plastic wrap, then wrap tightly in a layer of foil.
• Lightly butter pan, then dust with sugar, knocking out excess.
• Heat 1 cup sugar with 1/2 cup water in a small saucepan, stirring, until sugar is dissolved. Remove from heat and cool.
• Melt chocolates in a large bowl set over a saucepan of barely simmering water (do not let bowl touch water), stirring occasionally, until melted. Stir together butter (2 sticks) and remaining 1/2 cup sugar in another bowl until combined. Stir butter mixture into melted chocolate. Then stir in sugar syrup. Gently stir in eggs (avoid making bubbles) until combined. 3Transfer to pan and bake in a hot water bath until center is almost set (it should barely wobble), about 45 to 50 minutes.
• Cool completely on a rack. Chill, covered, at least 8 hours. Run a thin knife along side of pan, remove side, and serve slightly chilled or at room temperature.

DARK CHOCOLATE PECAN TORTE

Steps:

• Remove the side from an 8" springform pan.
• Line the bottom of the pan with waxed paper, extending the paper over the bottom edge.
• Attach side to bottom of the springform pan, making sure paper is secured to the pan.
• Trim paper to just beyond edge of pan.
• Grease paper and 1 inch up sides of pan with shortening or butter; set aside (or, grease the bottom of a 9x1 1/2" round baking pan; line bottom of pan with waxed paper. Grease the paper and side of pan. Set aside).
• Place the 1 cup of chocolate pieces and the 1/3 cup butter in a large microwave-safe bowl.
• Microwave on 100 percent power (high) for 1 minute to 1 minute and 15 seconds or until chocolate is smooth when stirred; cool slightly.
• Add granulated sugar and the 1 1/2 tsp vanilla to melted chocolate mixture.
• Beat with an electric mixer on medium speed until well mixed.
• Add egg yolks, one at a time, beating well after each addition.
• Beat in flour and water on low speed, just until combined.
• Stir in the 3/4 cup pecans.
• Thoroughly wash beaters.
• In a bowl, beat egg whites, cream of tartar, and salt with electric mixer on high speed just until stiff peaks form (tips stand straight).
• Stir a small amount of the beaten egg white mixture into the chocolate mixture to lighten the batter.
• Carefully fold the remaining egg white mixture into the chocolate mixture.
• Pour batter into prepared pan.
• If using the springform pan, place it in a shallow baking pan on the oven rack.
• If using the 9" baking pan, place it directly on the oven rack.
• Bake cake in a 350°F oven about 45 minutes for the springform pan or about 35 minutes for the 9" pan or until the top is evenly puffed.
• Torte will not test done in center.
• Top will have a sugary crust that will crack.
• Remove springform pan from baking pan.
• Cool cake in pan on wire rack.
• Loosen edge of cake from pan.
• Remove side of pan.
• Invert onto serving plate.
• Remove pan bottom.
• Peel off paper.
• If using 9" pan, cool cake in pan on wire rack for 30 minutes; loosen side of cake and invert onto plate.
• Peel off paper.
• Cool.
• Spoon Chocolate Glaze over cake, spreading to cover top and allowing glaze to drip over sides.
• If desired, sprinkle top with chopped pecans.
• Cover; refrigerate about 30 minutes or until glaze is set.
• Chocolate Glaze.
• In a medium microwave-safe bowl, combine the 1/4 cup semisweet chocolate chips, 2 Tablespoons unsalted butter and 2 tablespoons water.
• Microwave on 100 percent (high) about 45 seconds.
• Add 1 cup sifted confectioners' sugar and 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract; beat until smooth.
• If necessary, add hot water, 1 teaspoon at a time to make a glaze consistency.
• Notes:.
• Because the torte has very little flour and lots of sugar, the top will puff up during baking and crack.
• Don't worry about the cracks.
• Before glazing, invert the cake so the smooth bottom becomes the top.
• My cake did not crack on top.
• Use a large spoon to spread the glaze on the torte, letting some of the glaze spill oven the side.
• For a fancier dessert, use a spatula to carefully smooth the glaze around the sides of the torte and over the top.

FLOURLESS CHOCOLATE TORTE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly butter the bottom and side of a 9-inch springform pan. Combine the chocolate and 1 1/2 sticks butter in a heatproof bowl. Place the bowl over a saucepan of simmering water (do not let the bowl touch the water) and stir until melted and combined. Remove the bowl from the saucepan and let cool slightly.
• Combine the eggs, sugar and salt in a large bowl. Beat with a mixer on medium-high speed until pale and thick, 5 to 8 minutes.
• Gently fold half of the melted chocolate mixture into the egg mixture until just combined, then gently fold in the rest. Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake until the top is no longer shiny and barely jiggles and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with only a few crumbs, 35 to 45 minutes. Transfer to a rack and let cool completely in the pan. Remove the springform ring and transfer to a platter; dust with cocoa powder.

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.

FLOURLESS HAZELNUT AND DARK CHOCOLATE TORTE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F. Grease a 9-inch springform pan and line the bottom of the pan with parchment.
• Finely grind the hazelnuts in a food processor until they reach a coarse, sandy consistency.
• Either in the microwave or in a double boiler over hot water, melt the chocolate with the oil and butter, stirring together to form a homogenous mixture. Set aside in a warm place.
• With a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, beat the egg whites and salt to soft peaks and set aside. Switch to the paddle attachment and, in a separate bowl, beat the egg yolks, sugars, and vanilla extract on medium-high speed until
• thick and creamy, about 5 minutes. Reduce the speed of the mixer to low and add the
• chocolate and butter mixture, then the cocoa powder. Fold in the whipped egg whites until smooth.
• Pour into a greased and parchment-lined 9-inch springform pan and bake for 45 to 50 minutes, just until a wooden skewer inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean.

DOUBLE CHOCOLATE TORTE

Steps:

• Prepare brownie mix according to package directions for fudge-like brownies. Spread batter in a greased and floured 9-in. round baking pan. , Bake at 350° for 38-42 minutes or until center springs back when lightly touched. Cool for 10 minutes. Invert onto a serving plate; cool completely. , In a bowl, stir the chocolate and butter until smooth. Spread over brownie layer; refrigerate for 30 minutes. Just before serving, top with whipped topping. Decorate with sprinkle.