Southern Chocolate Torte Food

SOUTHERN CHOCOLATE TORTE

Steps:

• In a large bowl, sift the cake and pudding mixes. In another bowl, whisk the eggs, milk and oil. Add to dry ingredients; beat until well blended. , Pour into three 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 large bowl, beat the cream cheese and sugars until smooth. Finely chop eight candy bars; stir into cream cheese mixture. Fold in whipped topping. , Spread frosting on cake plate, between layers and over the top and sides of the cake. Chop the remaining candy bars; sprinkle over top and along bottom edge of cake. Cover and refrigerate overnight. Store in the refrigerator.

CHOCOLATE TORTE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 250 degrees. Grease a springform pan; dust with cocoa. Line bottom with kitchen parchment.
• In 2 qt saucepan over low heat, melt chocolate with butter.
• In large bowl, with wire whisk beat egg yolks and vanilla.
• Slowly beat warm chocolate mixture into yolk mixture until blended.
• In small bowl with mixer at high speed, beat egg whites until soft peaks form.
• Gradually beat in 1/4 cup powdered sugar until sugar dissolves and whites stand in stiff peaks.
• Fold beaten egg whites into chocolate mixture, one third at a time.
• Spoon batter into pan spreading evenly.
• Bake torte 1 hour or until toothpick inserted in center comes out almost clean.
• Cool torte in pan.
• When torte is cool, remove side of pan then remove torte from pan bottom; discard parchment.
• Cut torte in 12 wedges. Sprinkle 6 wedges with cocoa, remaining 6 wedges with confectioners sugar.
• Arrange wedges alternately on cake plate.

CHOCOLATE-ALMOND TORTE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Toast the almonds on a baking sheet until lightly golden, 6 to 7 minutes. Cool slightly, then pulse in a food processor until finely ground, but not pasty.
• Melt 12 tablespoons butter and the chocolate in a heatproof bowl set over a saucepan of simmering water (do not let the bowl touch the water). Stir until the chocolate is smooth, then remove from the heat and cool slightly. Grease the bottom and sides of a 9-inch springform pan with butter and coat with the breadcrumbs, tapping out the excess.
• Set aside 2 tablespoons granulated sugar. Combine the 6 egg yolks and the remaining sugar in a stand mixer and beat with the paddle attachment on medium-high until thick and pale, about 3 minutes. Add the orange zest, rum and salt, then beat in the melted chocolate until smooth. Mix in the ground almonds until just combined.
• In a clean bowl, beat the 3 egg whites with a mixer until foamy. Gradually beat in the reserved 2 tablespoons granulated sugar on high speed until almost stiff. Stir one-third of the whites into the chocolate batter, then gently fold in the rest. Spread the batter in the prepared pan and bake until the top is firm and cracked (a toothpick inserted into the cake will be fudgy), 35 to 40 minutes. Cool on a rack 10 minutes, then run a knife around the edge of the pan and remove the ring. Serve warm or at room temperature. Garnish with confectioners' sugar and whipped cream, if desired.

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.

CHOCOLATE PASTRY TORTE

Steps:

• Combine chocolate, sugar, water, and coffee in saucepan; cook over low heat, stirring constantly until smooth.
• Blend in vanilla; allow to cool to room temperature.
• Prepare piecrust according to package directions, omitting water.
• Blend 3/4 of the chocolate mixture unto piecrust mix; divide into six equal parts.
• Press each part unto the bottom of an inverted 8" round pan to within 1/2" of edge.
• Bake at 425 degrees for 5-8 minutes.
• While layers are still warm, trim to even edges if desired.
• Let cool; then run the tip of a knife under edges to loosen.
• Lift carefully, transfer to wire cake rack.
• Whip cream to soft peak stage; fold in remaining chocolate sauce.
• Spread chocolate cream between layers and over top.
• Chill overnight or at least for 8 hours.
• Top w/ chopped nuts and/or chocolate curls.
• Makes 9-12 servings depending on how many chocolate lovers you're serving!

CHOCOLATE TORTE

Steps:

• Prepare and bake chocolate cake as directed on package. Bake in 2 - 9 inch round pans. Allow cakes to cool. When cakes are cool, cut each one in half with a long serrated knife, making four layers.
• In a large bowl, combine cream cheese, brown sugar and vanilla. Beat until soft.
• In a separate bowl, whip cream to soft peaks, then fold into cream cheese mixture.
• Place the bottom layer of cake on the serving plate. Spread 1/4 of the filling on cake layer, then continue to stack up layers with 1/4 of the filling on each layer. Finish top with the final 1/4 of filling and grate the chocolate on top. Refrigerate for 6 hours before serving.