Chocolate And Hazelnut Torte

Chocolate And Hazelnut Torte
  • Author: Sophie Grigson

Rich and decadent, this chocolate hazelnut cake is a delightful treat that combines the luscious flavors of dark chocolate and ground hazelnuts. The cake itself is moist and velvety, with a hint of orange liqueur adding a special touch. Topped with a glossy chocolate glaze and adorned with toasted hazelnuts, this dessert is a perfect indulgence for any occasion. Serve it with a dollop of freshly whipped cream for an extra touch of luxury.

— Constant Cookbook

Ingredients

  • 200g/7oz dark chocolate
  • 3 large free-range eggs
  • 110g/4oz unsalted butter
  • 150g/5oz caster sugar
  • 90g/3oz ground hazelnuts
  • 60g/2oz self-raising flour
  • 3 tbsp orange liqueur
  • pinch salt
  • freshly whipped cream
  • 100g/3½oz dark chocolate
  • 60g/2oz unsalted butter
  • 1 tbsp orange liqueur
  • 10-12 whole toasted hazelnuts

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 190C/170C Fan/Gas 5. Line the base of a 23cm/9in cake tin with baking paper and grease the sides.
  • Place the chopped chocolate in a heat-proof bowl over a pan of simmering water, ensuring the bowl doesn't touch the water. Stir gently until the last lumps have disappeared then remove from the heat. Add the butter and stir until completely incorperated.
  • Separate the egg whites from the egg yolks, placing each into separate bowls. Add the sugar to the egg yolks and whisk with an electric whisk until pale and fluffy. Carefully fold in the chocolate, ground hazelnuts and the flour. Finally, add the orange liqueur.
  • Using an electric whisk, whisk the egg whites with the salt until stiff peaks form. Stir a spoonful of the egg white into the chocolate batter until completely incorporated, then fold the remaining egg whites into the batter with a metal spoon.
  • Pour the cake mixture into the prepared tin and bake for 40-50 minutes, until firm to the touch. (It will still be moist in the centre so the usual skewer test won't work.) Cool for 5-10 minutes, then turn out onto a wire rack to finish cooling. When cool place on a serving plate.
  • To make the glaze, melt the chocolate in a heat-proof bowl over a pan of simmering water, ensuring the bowl doesn't touch the water. Remove the bowl from the heat and beat in the butter bit by bit with a wooden spoon. Add the liqueur, if using. Let cool for 5-10 minutes, until it begins to thicken, but is still runny.
  • Spread the glaze over the cake and down the sides, using a palette knife. Decorate the top with the whole hazelnuts before the glaze sets. Serve with some freshly whipped cream.

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Cook Time

1H

Prep Time

PT1H

Yield

Serves 8-10