When you're looking for a dessert that is both delicious and visually stunning, Hungarian chocolate chestnut torte, or gesztenye torta, is the perfect choice. Layers of rich chocolate sponge cake alternate with a creamy chestnut filling, and the top is decorated with swirls of whipped cream and additional chocolate shavings. This decadent treat is sure to impress your guests, and it's easier to make than you might think. In this article, we'll walk you through the steps of how to make this classic Hungarian dessert.
Let's cook with our recipes!
HUNGARIAN CHESTNUT CAKE
This rich dessert is full of all sorts of wickedness, and is a bit labor-intensive, but well worth the work. Chestnuts and marrons glace are available in specialty food stores and gourmet stores.
Provided by MARBALET
Categories World Cuisine Recipes European Eastern European Hungarian
Yield 12
Number Of Ingredients 15
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Line the bottom of a greased 9-inch springform pan with parchment paper. Then grease the parchment paper.
- Separate the eggs.
- In a food processor puree the chestnuts with the butter and the rum, scraping down the sides, until the mixture is smooth. Add the melted bittersweet chocolate and blend the mixture until it is combined well. With the motor running, add the yolks, 1 at a time, and transfer the mixture to a large bowl.
- In a bowl with an electric mixer beat the whites with the salt until they hold soft peaks, add the sugar, a little at a time, beating, and beat the meringue until it holds stiff peaks.
- Whisk about one fourth of the meringue into the chocolate mixture to lighten it and fold in the remaining meringue gently but thoroughly. Pour the batter into the prepared pan and smooth the top.
- Bake the cake in the middle of a 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) oven for 45 to 55 minutes, or until a tester comes out with crumbs adhering to it and the top is cracked. Let the cake cool in the pan on a rack for 5 minutes, remove the side of the pan, and invert the cake onto another rack. Remove the bottom of the pan, invert the torte onto a rack, and let it cool completely. (The cake will fall as it cools.)
- To Make Glaze: Put 6 ounces of the finely chopped chocolate in a small bowl, in a saucepan bring 1/2 cup of the cream to a boil, and pour it over the chocolate. Stir the mixture until the chocolate is melted and the glaze is smooth and stir in 1 tablespoon of the rum. Dip each candied chestnut halfway into the glaze to coat it partially, transfer the chestnuts to a foil-covered tray, and let them set.
- Invert the cake onto a rack set on wax paper, pour the glaze over it, smoothing the glaze with a spatula and letting the excess drip down the side, and let the cake stand for 2 hours, or until the glaze is set. Transfer the cake carefully to a serving plate and garnish it with the coated chestnuts.
- Make the whipped cream just before serving the cake: In a chilled bowl with chilled beaters beat the 1 cup heavy cream until it holds soft peaks, beat in the 2 tablespoons sugar and the1 tablespoon rum, and beat the mixture until it holds stiff peaks. Fold in the chopped candied chestnuts. Serve the cake with the whipped cream.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 530.3 calories, Carbohydrate 45.8 g, Cholesterol 155.7 mg, Fat 34.1 g, Fiber 2.9 g, Protein 6.8 g, SaturatedFat 20.3 g, Sodium 98.3 mg, Sugar 30.9 g
HUNGARIAN CHOCOLATE CHESTNUT TORTE (GESZTENYE TORTA)
Pronounced geh-sten-ye tor-ta. This is a very rich, elegant, chocolate dessert. Chocolate chestnut layer cake, filled with chocolate nut filling, and topped with whipped cream and chestnut purée. A bit involved, but worth it. Perfect for holidays or other special occasions.
Provided by littleturtle
Categories Dessert
Time 3h5m
Yield 16 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 18
Steps:
- Force chestnut purée through a potato ricer to make the purée fluffy, and set aside.
- Grate the chocolate using a food processor or the grater attachment of your mixer if you have one.
- Mix the almonds and breadcrumbs together.
- Preheat oven to 325°F.
- Prepare 2 9-inch springform pans for baking by brushing the bottom and sides of the pan with melted butter, dusting with flour, and shaking out the excess.
- Beat the egg whites with a pinch of salt until stiff, but not dry.
- Using an electric mixer, beat the egg yolks, gradually adding the sugar until well mixed (3-4 minutes: the mixture will be light yellow and very thick and creamy).
- Fold in the chestnut purée, then the grated chocolate.
- Carefully fold in the nut and bread crumb mixture.
- Stir 1 tablespoon of the egg whites into the batter, then fold the rest in 1/4 at a time.
- Pour the batter into the prepared pans, spread evenly, and bake in the center of the oven until the tops turn light brown (30-50 minutes).
- Remove from oven and let it cool a little in the pan.
- Remove the sides of the pan and allow to cool thoroughly before filling it.
- For filling, melt chocolate in a double boiler over very low heat.
- Cream the butter with the powdered sugar; add the melted chocolate, and beat until fluffy.
- Fold in the nuts.
- Refrigerate until ready to use.
- When the layers are completely cooled, take the better of the two for the top layer.
- Spread the bottom layer with the filling, and set the top layer on top.
- In a cold bowl, with a cold beater, whip the cream.
- Gradually sift in the powdered sugar, and continue beating until stiff peaks form.
- Refrigerate until ready to use.
- Mash the chestnut purée with a fork, then work in the powdered sugar.
- Beat in the rum, and taste for flavoring.
- When ready to serve the cake, top with whipped cream, then force the chestnut topping through a potato ricer directly on top of the whipped cream.
HUNGARIAN CHOCOLATE-WALNUT TORTE
Provided by Jayne Cohen
Categories Mixer Chocolate Dessert Passover Valentine's Day Walnut Kosher Kosher for Passover Kidney Friendly Vegetarian Pescatarian Peanut Free Soy Free
Yield Makes about 10 servings
Number Of Ingredients 10
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.
CHOCOLATE CHESTNUT TORTE
Categories Cake Milk/Cream Rum Food Processor Mixer Chocolate Egg Dessert Bake Kid-Friendly Chestnut Gourmet Small Plates
Number Of Ingredients 18
Steps:
- Make the torte:
- Line the bottom of a greased 9-inch springform pan with wax paper, grease the paper, and dust the pan with flour, knocking out the excess. In a food processor purée the chestnuts with the butter and the rum, scraping down the sides, until the mixture is smooth. Add the chocolate and blend the mixture until it is combined well. With the motor running, add the yolks, 1 at a time, and transfer the mixture to a large bowl. In a bowl with an electric mixer beat the whites with the salt until they hold soft peaks, add the sugar, a little at a time, beating, and beat the meringue until it holds stiff peaks. Whisk about one fourth of the meringue into the chocolate mixture to lighten it and fold in the remaining meringue gently but thoroughly. Pour the batter into the prepared pan, smooth the top, and bake the torte in the middle of a preheated 350°F. oven for 45 to 55 minutes, or until a tester comes out with crumbs adhering to it and the top is cracked. Let the torte cool in the pan on a rack for 5 minutes, remove the side of the pan, and invert the torte onto another rack. Remove the bottom of the pan, reinvert the torte onto a rack, and let it cool completely. (The torte will fall as it cools.)
- Make the glaze and garnish:
- Put the chocolate in a small bowl, in a saucepan bring the cream to a boil, and pour it over the chocolate. Stir the mixture until the chocolate is melted and the glaze is smooth and stir in the rum. Dip each candied chestnut halfway into the glaze to coat it partially, transfer the chestnuts to a foil-covered tray, and let them set.
- Invert the torte onto a rack set on wax paper, pour the glaze over it, smoothing the glaze with a spatula and letting the excess drip down the side, and let the torte stand for 2 hours, or until the glaze is set. Transfer the torte carefully to a serving plate and garnish it with the coated chestnuts.
- Make the whipped cream just before serving the torte:
- In a chilled bowl with chilled beaters beat the cream until it holds soft peaks, beat in the sugar and the rum, and beat the mixture until it holds stiff peaks. Fold in the chopped candied chestnuts.
- Serve the torte with the whipped cream.
CHOCOLATE & CHESTNUT TRUFFLE TORTE
This glamorous dessert makes the perfect festive centrepiece for a posh Christmas party
Provided by Good Food team
Categories Dessert, Treat
Time 6h
Number Of Ingredients 10
Steps:
- Heat oven to 200C/180C fan/gas 6. Grease a 25cm springform tin, then line the base and sides with baking paper. Whisk eggs and sugar until pale and thick.
- Sift the flour and cocoa together onto the mixture, then gently fold in, followed by the butter. Pour into the tin, ease to the edges, then bake for 8-10 mins until risen and firm to the touch. Cool in the tin.
- Meanwhile, beat the chestnut purée and egg yolks until as smooth as possible. Melt the chocolate in a bowl over a pan of simmering water with half the cream. Remove from the heat, then beat into the chestnut mixture.
- Whisk the egg whites until stiff. In a separate bowl, whip the remaining cream until it holds its shape. Fold into the chocolate mixture, then carefully fold in the egg whites. Drizzle the brandy, if using, over the sponge base, then pour the chocolate mix on top. Level the surface and chill for 5 hrs or overnight until firm. Chill for 2 days, or freeze for 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge.
- To serve, carefully remove from the tin, strip off the paper and slide onto a cake stand. Dust heavily with cocoa.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 704 calories, Fat 54 grams fat, SaturatedFat 29 grams saturated fat, Carbohydrate 51 grams carbohydrates, Sugar 37 grams sugar, Fiber 3 grams fiber, Protein 8 grams protein, Sodium 0.42 milligram of sodium
HUNGARIAN WALNUT TORTE
"This truly special cake with its creamy not-too-sweet filling is one I've made for years. People say it is excellent," notes Jeannette Jeremias of Kitchener, Ontario. "I'm the first generation of my Hungarian family to be born in Canada."
Provided by Taste of Home
Categories Desserts
Time 55m
Yield 12 servings.
Number Of Ingredients 15
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.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 390 calories, Fat 21g fat (8g saturated fat), Cholesterol 130mg cholesterol, Sodium 190mg sodium, Carbohydrate 45g carbohydrate (32g sugars, Fiber 1g fiber), Protein 6g protein.
HUNGARIAN SPONGE CAKE (PISKOTA TORTA)
This is a traditional Hungarian recipe that I have learned to make from my Hungarian fiance who misses this from home. Until meeting him I don't think I truly understood what great desserts should be.
Provided by MizEmerilLagasse
Categories Dessert
Time 1h15m
Yield 8 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 6
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 325F.
- Beat egg yolks until light yellow medium mixing bowl.
- Add sugar, lemon juice (or vanilla), and mix until thick.
- Add baking powder and flour gradually and mix well.
- In a clean bowl beat egg whites and salt until very stiff.
- Carefully fold egg whites into the yolk mixture.
- Grease and flour two 9" cake pans and pour batter evenly into them.
- Bake for one hour, remove from pans, and cool on cooling racks.
Tips:
- Toast the walnuts in a preheated oven at 180°C (350°F) for 5-7 minutes, or until fragrant. This will enhance their flavor and make them more crunchy.
- When making the chocolate ganache, use high-quality dark chocolate with a cocoa content of at least 70%. This will ensure a rich and decadent flavor.
- To make the whipped cream, use heavy cream with a fat content of at least 35%. This will help the whipped cream hold its shape and prevent it from becoming too runny.
- When assembling the torte, be sure to let each layer cool completely before adding the next layer. This will help to prevent the torte from becoming too soggy.
- To decorate the torte, you can use a variety of toppings, such as chocolate shavings, chopped nuts, or fresh berries.
Conclusion:
The Hungarian Chocolate Chestnut Torte is a delicious and elegant dessert that is perfect for any special occasion. With its rich chocolate flavor, creamy chestnut filling, and fluffy whipped cream frosting, this torte is sure to impress your guests. The combination of flavors and textures is truly unique and unforgettable. If you are looking for a showstopping dessert that will wow your friends and family, this is the recipe for you.
Are you curently on diet or you just want to control your food's nutritions, ingredients? We will help you find recipes by cooking method, nutrition, ingredients...
Check it out »
You'll also love