Nut Torte Food

GRANDMA'S HUNGARIAN NUT TORTE

Steps:

• For Top/Bottom Layers: In separate bowl, beat egg yolks with sugar and baking powder till it becomes lemon colored. It takes about 10 minutes to get it thick and lemony. Add flour and ground nuts until well combined. In a different bowl, beat the egg whites till they form stiff peaks. Fold the egg whites into the egg yolk mixture. Bake in two greased and floured cake pans at 325 degrees F for about 30 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. For Middle Layer: In separate bowl, mix egg yolks with sugar till it becomes lemon colored. Add the flour and baking powder until well combined. In a different bowl, beat the egg whites till they form stiff peaks. Fold the egg whites into the egg yolk mixture. Bake in greased and floured cake pan (same size as top and bottom) at 325 degrees F for about 30 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. For Grandma's 30 Minute Icing: Beat the shortening, butter and sugar for 10 minutes or until grainy texture is gone. Add the flour and milk slowly, alternating between the two and beat till smooth as whipped cream, about 20 minutes. It will be very light and fluffy. But you do need to beat it this long for the sugar to dissolve and the icing to get fluffy as it should be. It will spread beautifully and you will be amazed at the taste.

LEMON-NUT TORTE WITH SUMMER BERRIES

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350°. Line an 8" or 9" springform pan with parchment paper and coat with cooking spray. Combine 1/3 cup sugar and flours in a bowl. Whip 1/3 cup sugar and egg yolks in another bowl with an electric mixer about 5 minutes. Beat in zest, oil, lemon juice, and orange juice. Fold in dry ingredients. Beat egg whites and salt in a third bowl with an electric mixer until frothy. Beat in remaining 1/3 cup sugar until stiff peaks form. Fold 1/3 of egg-white mixture into batter. Fold in remaining egg white mixture in two parts, mixing well. Pour batter into pan. Bake 30 to 35 minutes. Remove from oven; cool. Invert pan, remove parchment, and turn cake right side up onto a plate. Topping: Combine honey, lemon juice, and vanilla in a bowl. Add berries; mix. Spoon topping on cake, dust with sugar, and slice into eighths.

HUNGARIAN WALNUT TORTE

Steps:

• Let eggs stand at room temperature for 30 minutes. In a large bowl, beat egg yolks and sugar for 10 minutes or until light lemon-colored. Beat in vanilla. Combine cake flour and baking powder; add to egg mixture alternately with water, beating well. Fold in walnuts., In another bowl and with clean beaters, beat the egg whites on high until stiff peaks form. Fold a fourth of the egg whites into batter; fold in remaining whites. , Pour into two greased and floured 9-in. round baking pans. Bake at 350° for 20-25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes before removing from pans to wire racks to cool completely., In a small saucepan, whisk the milk and pudding mix. Bring to a boil, stirring constantly. Remove from the heat. Pour into a bowl; press a piece of waxed paper or plastic wrap over pudding. Refrigerate for 30 minutes., In a bowl, cream the butter, shortening and confectioners' sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in vanilla and cooled pudding. Split each cake into two layers. Place one bottom layer on a serving plate; spread with about 3/4 cup filling. Repeat layers. Garnish with chocolate curls if desired.

HUNGARIAN CHOCOLATE-WALNUT TORTE

Steps:

• Have all ingredients at room temperature.
• Line the bottom of an 8-inch square cake pan or a 9-inch springform pan with parchment or wax paper.
• Preheat the oven to 350°F.
• In a heavy-bottomed 2-or 3-quart saucepan, combine 1/2 cup of the sugar and 1/2 cup water and bring to a boil, stirring constantly over medium heat. Continue boiling and stirring until all the grains of sugar have completely dissolved and the mixture forms a simple syrup. Remove the pan from the heat and stir in the chocolate until melted and smooth. Set aside to cool.
• In a large bowl, beat the egg yolks with an electric mixer until light and thickened, about 4 minutes. Grind the walnuts with the remaining sugar and the matzoh meal in a food processor using the pulse motion and stir into the egg yolks. Add the cooled chocolate mixture and combine thoroughly.
• Using clean beaters, beat the egg whites in another bowl until they hold stiff peaks. Gradually fold the whites into the chocolate-walnut mixture, incorporating them gently but thoroughly so that no whites are visible. Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake for 30 to 40 minutes, until puffed and almost set but still a little gooey in the center. A wooden toothpick inserted 1 inch from the edge should come out clean.
• Remove the pan from the oven and let cool on a rack. When completely cool, unmold the cake by running a thin-bladed knife around the edges of the cake to release it from the pan (or release the springform); invert onto a platter. Peel off the parchment paper. Serve the torte at room temperature.
• If desired, lightly dust with Passover confectioners' sugar. For a lovely, simple presentation, place a doily or a stencil-handmade by you or, even better, your children-over the torte, then sprinkle with the sugar. Carefully remove the doily or stencil.
• Or glaze with the chocolate icing. Lay long strips of wax paper or foil on a cake plate or serving platter and place the cake on top. Pour the glaze over the top of the cake, letting it drip down the sides. Using a spatula, evenly spread the glaze over the top and sides. Now, pull out and discard the paper strips or foil strips--the plate will be clean and ready for serving. If you'd like, garnish with a few walnut halves attractively placed in the center of the cake. Refrigerate the cake for about an hour to set the glaze, but bring it to room temperature before serving.
• The plain or frosted torte is heavenly with generous dollops of whipped cream or vanilla ice cream.
• Passover Confectioners’ Sugar:
• In a blender, mini-food processor, or clean coffee grinder, whirl 1 cup minus 1/2 tablespoon regular granulated sugar until it is powdery. Place in a small bowl and stir in 1/2 teaspoon potato starch. Sift before using. (Recently commercial Passover confectioners' sugar, made without cornstarch, has appeared in some stores with large kosher-for-Passover sections. If available, by all means use it here.)
• Chocolate Icing:
• Melt the butter or margarine slowly in a heavy saucepan over very low heat. When half is melted, gradually whisk in the chocolate, stirring well as it melts. After all the chocolate has been added, stir in 2 tablespoons water and beat well until the glaze is completely smooth. Let the mixture cool about 5 minutes to thicken slightly.

STREAMLINE HUNGARIAN TORTE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease an 11x17 inch jelly roll pan. Mix together the walnuts, ground cinnamon, and 3/4 cup of sugar in a medium bowl and set aside.
• In a small bowl, dissolve the yeast and 1 teaspoon sugar in warm water. Let stand until creamy, about 10 minutes. In a large bowl, stir together the yeast mixture, egg yolks, sour cream, and butter. Gradually stir in the flour until the dough becomes too stiff to use a spoon. Use your hand to knead the dough in the bowl until it becomes smooth, about 5 minutes. Divide the dough into three equal parts, form into balls, cover, and set aside to rest for about 15 minutes.
• Roll one of the balls of dough between 2 sheets of waxed paper to fit the pan. Place the dough in the bottom of the prepared baking pan and spread with 3/4 of the nut mixture. Roll out another ball of dough in the same way, place this over the nut layer in the pan and spread the apricot preserves evenly over the dough. Roll the third ball in the same way and place on top of the layer of preserves.
• Place the torte in the preheated oven and set the timer for 40 minutes. When the timer goes off, the top of the torte should be golden brown, if not then wait a few minutes. Place the egg whites into a clean glass or metal bowl. Whip the egg whites to soft peaks, then gradually add 2/3 cup sugar while beating the egg whites to stiff peaks. Spread the meringue evenly over the top of the torte and sprinkle with the remaining nut mixture.
• Bake the meringue-covered torte for an additional 15 minutes. Cool the torte in the pan set on a wire rack. Trim the edges for a cleaner presentation. Serve at room temperature.

MOCHA NUT TORTE

Steps:

• Place egg whites in a large bowl; let stand at room temperature for 30 minutes. Line three 9-in. round baking pans with waxed paper; set aside. , Meanwhile, preheat oven to 375°. In another bowl, beat egg yolks until slightly thickened. Gradually add 1/2 cup sugar, beating until thick and lemon-colored. Beat in vanilla. Combine nuts, crumbs, baking powder and 1/2 teaspoon salt; stir into yolk mixture until combined. , Add remaining salt to egg whites; with clean beaters, beat on medium until soft peaks form. Gradually add remaining sugar, 2 tablespoons at a time, beating on high after each addition until sugar is dissolved. Continue beating until soft glossy peaks form. Fold a fourth of the egg whites into batter, then fold in remaining whites. Divide among prepared pans. , Bake 20-25 minutes or until tops spring back when lightly touched. Invert pans; cool 20 minutes. Remove from pans to wire racks; cool completely. Remove waxed paper., In a small bowl, beat cream until it begins to thicken. Add confectioners' sugar and vanilla; beat until stiff peaks form. Cover and refrigerate until assembling., In a large saucepan, melt butter and chocolate over low heat. Remove from heat. Stir in coffee, vanilla and enough confectioners' sugar to achieve frosting consistency. Spread filling between layers. Frost top and sides of cake. Garnish with pecans if desired.

NUSS TORTE (GERMAN NUT CAKE)

Steps:

• Separate egg whites into a large mixing bowl. Beat the egg whites until stiff; remove from the mixing bowl and place into another bowl.
• Add egg yolks and sugar to the empty mixing bowl and beat together until thick and pale lemon in color.
• Add egg yolks, bread crumbs, and ground walnuts to the egg whites and gently mix. Fold the ingredients carefully so as not to deflate the eggs.
• Pour the cake batter into an ungreased angel food cake pan. Bake for 50 minutes. Cool upside down for at least an hour until the cake is completely cool.
• Flip the pan upright and slide a thin knife along the pan edges, around the inner tube, and the bottom of the cake pan. Carefully invert the cake onto a plate. If some of the cake stuck to the bottom of the pan, flip the cake onto another plate to reveal the prettier side.

SWEDISH NUT TORTE GLOMMINGE TORTE

Steps:

• Line an 11 x 17- inch jelly-roll pan with parchment and butter the paper.
• Preheat oven to 350 F.
• In a large bowl, cream the butter and 1 cup of the sugar until fluffy and light.
• Add the egg yolks and beat until very light in texture.
• Stir in the flour, baking powder, and milk.
• Spread the batter in the prepared pan.
• Sprinkle half of the nuts on top.
• In a medium-sized bowl, beat the egg whites and the remaining sugar until stiff, to form a meringue.
• Spread the meringue over the batter.
• Top with the remaining nuts.
• Bake for 25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center of the cake comes out clean.
• Remove from the pan, peel off the parchment paper, and cool.
• Cut the cake into two equal halves.
• TO PREPARE THE FILLING, in a large bowl, whip the cream and sugar until stiff peaks form.
• Spread half of the whipped cream over one half of the torte, MERINGUE--SIDE UP.
• Cover with the other half of the torte, MERINGUE--SIDE UP.
• Before serving, top with the remaining whipped cream and the chopped nuts.
• Garnish with strawberries, if desired.
• 16 servings.
• Scandinavian Feasts.

TWO-NUTS CHOCOLATE TORTE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 190C/375F/Gas 5. Line the bottom of an 8 to 10-inch tin with a piece of greaseproof paper. Butter the bottom and sides then dust with flour. Place the nuts into a food processor and whizz up until finely ground. Then add the chocolate and cocoa and whiz for 30 seconds to break up the chocolate. Remove to a bowl and set aside. Add the butter and sugar to the food processor and beat until pale and fluffy. At this point add the egg yolks 1 at a time them mix together with the chocolate and nuts.
• In another bowl beat the egg whites with a pinch of salt until they form stiff peaks. Gently fold the egg whites into the chocolate, butter and nut mix. Pour all the mixture into the tin. Bake in a preheated oven about 1 hour. To test if the torte is cooked, insert a cocktail stick or the tip of a knife for 5 seconds; when removed it should be reasonably clean. Serve with whipped cream, ice-cream or creme fraiche.

PERFECT NUT CRUST

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
• In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, combine walnuts, butter, sugar, flour, salt, yolk, and vanilla. Beat until well combined. Firmly press into the bottom and up the sides of a 10-inch or 11-by-8-inch fluted tart pan with a removable bottom. Freeze until firm, about 30 minutes. Bake until edges are set and golden, about 40 minutes. Remove from oven and let cool completely on a wire rack.

THREE-NUT TORTE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 300 degrees. Butter three 8-inch round cake pans. Line bottoms with parchment paper; butter parchment, and sprinkle with flour, tapping out excess.
• In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, beat yolks and 1/4 cup sugar until thick and pale, about 3 minutes. Transfer to a bowl. In a separate bowl, toss together nuts, chocolate, zest, baking powder, and salt. Sprinkle over yolk mixture; do not mix in.
• Whisk egg whites in the heatproof bowl of an electric mixer set over a pan of simmering water until whites are warm to the touch. Attach bowl to mixer fitted with clean whisk attachment; beat on high speed until soft peaks form. Beat in remaining 3 tablespoons sugar until stiff and glossy peaks form.
• Fold egg-white mixture into egg-yolk mixture, one-third at a time. Divide batter evenly among prepared pans, and spread with an offset spatula to smooth the tops. Bake until springy to the touch, about 20 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack to cool, about 10 minutes. Run a knife around edge of each cake to loosen, and invert cakes onto wire racks, removing parchment paper. Let cool completely.
• Place one cake layer on a turntable or flat work surface. Spread 1 1/4 cups buttercream evenly over the top. Place second cake layer on buttercream; evenly spread 1 1/4 cups buttercream over the top. Place final cake layer on top; evenly spread remaining 1/2 cup buttercream on top. Refrigerate at least 30 minutes while you make the ganache.
• Transfer cake to a wire rack set over a rimmed baking sheet. Pour ganache over top of cake; use an offset spatula to smooth top and sides. Place cake in the refrigerator, and let ganache set, at least 30 minutes, before serving.

SUGARSWEET TOMATO NUT TORTE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 325 degrees. Butter a nine-inch springform pan. Cut a round disk of baking parchment to fit the bottom.
• Place the walnuts and a half-cup of unsifted flour in the bowl of a food processor fitted with a metal blade. Pulse until the nuts are chopped to a medium size. Set aside.
• Combine the tomato puree with the vinegar and set aside.
• Sift the remaining flour with the baking powder, salt and spices in a triple sifter and set aside.
• Put the eggs into the large bowl of an electric mixer. Beat on high speed until thickened and light in color - about two minutes. Gradually add the brown sugar and beat for five minutes longer. The mixture will be very thick.
• Reduce the speed to medium-high and blend in the orange rind and vanilla. Add the dry ingredients alternately with the tomato puree, dividing the flour into three parts and the puree into two parts. Start and end with flour. Scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed. The batter will be very loose. Pour in the butter and quickly add the chopped nuts. Beat just to blend, then immediately pour it into the prepared pan. Bake for 55 to 60 minutes. The cake is done when the top is golden brown, springy to the touch, and the sides come away from the pan. Test by inserting a toothpick into the center. It should come out dry.
• Remove from the oven and set on a cake rack to cool completely. Just before serving, dust the top with confectioners' sugar. Or, if desired, split the torte into two or three layers, using a long serrated bread knife, and fill and frost with sweetened whipped cream. Garnish with a few chopped walnuts.

RAW DATE NUT TORTE

Steps:

• In a food processor, combine raisins and walnuts and blend until well blended and moist. (This will take a few minutes and you may see it forming a ball. Just make sure the raisins come out looking like a fudgy mixture and are not still grainy).
• In a food processor, combine dates and lemon juice until smooth and creamy.
• Spread the frosting on top of the torte.
• Sprinkle on chopped walnuts (optional).
• May or may not refrigerate before serving. Firmer for cutting if refrigerated.