Best 20 Pecan Torte Recipes

CHOCOLATE PECAN MERINGUE TORTE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 250 degrees F. Draw two 8-inch circles on a sheet of parchment paper and place it on a sheet pan, pencil side down.
• In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, beat the egg whites, cream of tartar, and salt on high speed for one minute, until frothy. With the mixer on high, slowly add the 2/3 cups sugar and 1 teaspoon of the vanilla and beat on high for 2 minutes, until it makes firm, glossy peaks.
• Divide the meringue between the two circles and spread into two flat 8-inch disks with a rubber spatula. Bake the meringues for one hour, turn the heat off, and leave the meringues in the oven for 2 hours. Remove them from the oven and allow to cool completely to room temperature on the sheet pan.
• With a large flat spatula, carefully transfer one disk, rounded side up, to a totally flat serving plate. (It's okay if the top cracks a little.) Spread the chocolate pecan filling evenly on top. Place the second meringue, rounded side up, on top.
• Combine the heavy cream, the 2 tablespoons sugar, and the remaining 1 teaspoon of vanilla in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the whisk attachment and beat on high speed until it forms firm peaks. Spread the whipped cream on top of the torte. Decorate with the shaved chocolate and refrigerate for 2 hours or for up to a day and serve cold.
• In the bowl of a food processor fitted with the steel blade, process the pecans until finely ground. Set aside.
• In a medium bowl set over a pan of simmering water, whisk the eggs, sugar, and cornstarch together, making sure the bottom of the bowl doesn't touch the water. Whisk the mixture almost constantly, until it is 130 to 140 degrees and thickened like custard. Set aside to cool to room temperature, whisking occasionally.
• Set another bowl over the pan of simmering water, making sure the bottom of the bowl doesn't touch the water. Put the chocolate and espresso in the bowl and heat just until the chocolate melts, stirring occasionally. Stir in the Kahlua and vanilla and set aside to cool to room temperature. Whisk the chocolate mixture into the egg mixture, then whisk in the butter, one tablespoon at a time, whisking until smooth. Stir in the pecans. The filling can sit at room temperature for up to 4 hours.

BUTTER PECAN ICE CREAM TORTE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°. In a large saucepan, combine brown sugar, cream, butter and salt. Bring to a gentle boil; cook and stir 1 minute. Remove from heat; stir in vanilla. Cool completely., Meanwhile, for the crust, cream butter, brown sugar and vanilla. Gradually add flour. Stir in chopped pecans. Press onto bottom and 1/2 in. up sides of a greased 9-in. springform pan. Place pan on a baking sheet., Bake until lightly browned, 10-12 minutes. Cool slightly. Spread with 1/2 cup caramel sauce. Cool on a wire rack., Spread ice cream over caramel layer. Freeze 15 minutes. Top with additional chopped pecans or pecan halves. Freeze, covered, several hours or overnight. Cover and refrigerate remaining caramel sauce., Loosen sides from pan with a knife; remove rim from pan. Heat caramel sauce and serve with torte.

TOASTED PECAN TORTE WITH BUTTERSCOTCH TOPPING

Steps:

• Place a rack in middle of oven; preheat to 350°F. Butter and flour pan. Toast pecans on a rimmed baking sheet, tossing once, until slightly darkened in color and fragrant, 12-15 minutes. Let cool.
• Pulse baking powder, 1 tsp. salt, 1 1/2 cups flour, and 2 1/2 cups pecans in a food processor until nuts are finely ground. Using an electric mixer on medium-high speed, beat granulated sugar, orange zest, and 1 cup butter in a large bowl, scraping down sides, until light and fluffy, about 5 minutes. Add eggs to bowl. Beat until combined and mixture is even fluffier, about 1 minute. Beat in 3 Tbsp. rum; stop mixer and add dry ingredients. Mix on low speed just until combined, then fold a few times with a rubber spatula, scraping bottom and sides of bowl, to ensure batter is evenly mixed. Scrape batter into prepared pan and smooth top.
• Bake torte until golden brown and a tester inserted into the center comes out clean, 45-50 minutes. Transfer pan to a wire rack and let torte cool in pan.
• Meanwhile, bring brown sugar, 1/2 cup cream, remaining 1/4 cup butter, and remaining 1 Tbsp. rum to a boil in a small saucepan over medium heat, stirring often, and cook until slightly thickened, about 3 minutes. Remove butterscotch from heat and stir in remaining 3/4 tsp. salt. Mix in remaining 2 cups pecans and let sit at room temperature, stirring occasionally,until butterscotch is cool but still pourable.
• Spread topping over torte. Whisk remaining 1 cup cream in a large bowl to medium peaks. Serve torte topped with dollops of whipped cream.
• Do Ahead
• Topping (without pecans) can be made 3 days ahead; cover and chill. Reheat over low before mixing in the nuts. Torte can be baked 1 day ahead; store tightly wrapped at room temperature.

PECAN TORTE

Steps:

• In a bowl, beat egg yolks and sugar until thick and lemon-colored, about 5-6 minutes. Combine pecans and bread crumbs; stir into yolk mixture with vanilla. In another bowl, beat the egg whites until stiff peaks form; fold into batter. Divide evenly among three greased and waxed paper-lined 9-in. round baking pans. Bake at 350° for 25-30 minutes or until cakes test done. Cool for 10 minutes before removing from pan; cool completely on a wire rack. For frosting, combine milk and cornstarch in a saucepan until well blended. Add chocolate chips. Cook and stir over medium heat until thickened. Cool to room temperature. In a bowl, cream butter and confectioners' sugar. Add vanilla and beat until smooth. Stir in chocolate mixture; beat until fluffy. Spread between cooled cake layers. Frost top and sides. Garnish with pecans if desired.

CHOCOLATE PECAN TORTE

Steps:

• Let eggs stand at room temperature for 30 minutes. In a large bowl, beat egg yolks. Gradually add 1 cup sugar, beating until thick and lemon-colored. Combine pecans, flour, cocoa, baking soda and salt; add to yolk mixture alternately with water. Stir in vanilla. , In another large bowl, beat egg whites until foamy. Gradually add remaining sugar, 1 tablespoon at a time, beating until stiff peaks form; fold into batter. , Spoon into two greased and floured 9-in. round baking pans. Bake at 375° for 20-22 minutes or until cake springs back when lightly touched. Cool for 10 minutes before removing from pans to wire racks to cool completely. , For frosting, in a large bowl, beat cream until soft peaks form. Beat in confectioners' sugar, cocoa and vanilla until stiff peaks form. Cut each cake horizontally into two layers. Place bottom layer on a serving plate; top with about 1 cup frosting. Repeat layers twice. Top with remaining layer., For glaze, in a small saucepan, combine cocoa, water and butter. Cook and stir over medium heat until butter is melted. Remove from the heat; stir in confectioners' sugar and vanilla until smooth. Spread over top of cake. Spread remaining frosting over sides of cake. Store in the refrigerator.,

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.

CHEDDAR PECAN TORTE RECIPE - (4/5)

Steps:

• Combine cheddar cheese with pecans and onion. Place half of the mixture in an 8-inch round souffle dish. Combine (8-ounce) package cream cheese with the chutney blend thoroughly. Spread over cheddar cheese mixture. Drain spinach completely, squeeze (really squeeze) out all excess moisture. Add seasonings and remaining 1 (8-ounce) package of cream cheese. Blend thoroughly. Top with remaining cheddar cheese mixture. refrigerate until serving time. To serve invert on a plate and serve with crackers.

CHOCOLATE APRICOT PECAN TORTE

Steps:

• For cake: Heat cognac in medium saucepan until just hot. Remove from heat and mix in apricots. Let soak 15 minutes. Strain apricots, reserving any soaking liquid for glaze.
• Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Butter an 8 1/2 inch springform pan with one tablespoon butter. Dust with 3 tablespoons breadcrumbs. Using electric mixer, cream butter until light and fluffy. Gradually beat in sugar. Beat in eggs one at a time (mixture may look curdled). Add chocolate and vanilla. Mix in 2/3 cup breadcrumbs. Combine pecans and flour and blend into batter. Fold in apricots. Spoon batter into prepared pan. Bake until tester, inserted into middle, comes out clean - about 50 minutes. Cool in pan on rack.
• Run knife around edge of cake. Invert onto platter. Slide sheets of waxed paper under edges of cake.
• For icing: Stir cocoa powder, sugar, whipping cream and butter in top of double boiler over simmering water until mixture is shiny and smooth, about 5 minutes. Cool icing for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
• Pour icing over cake , tilting cake to cover evenly. Using thin flat spatula, spread icing over top and sides of cake. Refrigerate until icing is firm.
• For glaze: Add enough cognac to soaking liquid reserved from apricots to measure 2 tablespoons. Combine with jam in heavy saucepan. Stir over medium-low heat until melted. Strain through fine sieve into small bowl. Cool until tepid, approximately 5 minutes.
• Pour glaze over top of cake. Using thin metal spatula, spread evenly -- do not let any drip down sides of cake. Arrange pecans around upper edge of cake, ends touching. Discard wax paper. Refrigerate cake until glaze is set. Cake can be prepared up to one day in advance.

PECAN TORTE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease two 8-inch round cake pans.
• Beat egg whites in mixing bowl until medium-stiff peaks form; set aside. Sift together flour and cocoa powder; whisk in ground pecans and set aside.
• In a separate bowl, beat egg yolks; mix in 2/3 cup sugar, vanilla, and 1/2 teaspoon instant coffee granules and beat well. Fold yolk mixture into egg whites. Gently fold in flour, cocoa, and pecan mixture. Spread batter into prepared pans.
• Bake in preheated oven until cake springs back when lightly touched with a finger and a tester inserted in the center comes out clean, about 25 minutes. Let cakes cool slightly, then remove from pans to cool completely on wire racks.
• To Make Mocha Cream: Dissolve 1 tablespoon coffee granules in boiling water. Cool. Beat whipping cream and 2 tablespoons of sugar together in a cold mixing bowl until stiff. Mix in cooled coffee.
• Fill and frost cake with Mocha Cream and garnish with pecan halves. Keep refrigerated until ready to serve.

CHOCOLATE PECAN ICE CREAM TORTE

Steps:

• For caramel sauce, heat caramel topping and candy bars in a microwave on high for 1-1/2 minutes or until candy bars are melted, stirring every 30 seconds. Cool., Combine cookie crumbs and butter. Press onto the bottom of a greased 10-in. springform pan. Chop 1/2 cup pecans. , Spoon half of the butter pecan ice cream over crust. Drizzle with 2 tablespoons caramel sauce; sprinkle with 1/4 cup chopped pecans. Spread with half of the chocolate ice cream. Drizzle with 2 tablespoons caramel sauce; sprinkle with remaining chopped pecans. , Spoon remaining butter pecan ice cream around edge of pan; spread remaining chocolate ice cream in center of pan. Cover and freeze overnight. Refrigerate remaining caramel sauce., Carefully run a knife around edge of pan to loosen; remove sides of pan. Reheat caramel sauce. Garnish torte with remaining pecan halves; drizzle with 2 tablespoons caramel sauce. Serve with remaining caramel sauce.

CHERRY PECAN TORTE

Steps:

• In a bowl, beat egg whites until foamy. Beat in cream of tartar. Gradually add sugar, 1 tablespoon at a time, beating on high until stiff peaks form. Fold in crumbs, pecans and vanilla. , Spread into a greased 13-in. x 9-in. baking pan. Bake at 350° for 25 minutes. Cool completely. Spread whipped cream over top. Spoon pie filling over cream. Chill for at least 1 hour.

FLOURLESS APPLE-PECAN TORTE

Steps:

• Toss apples with lemon juice. Melt butter in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add apples, 1/4 cup granulated sugar, and 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon; toss. Cook until softened, 2 to 3 minutes. Add wine. Cook until almost absorbed and apples are syrupy, about 3 minutes.
• Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Coat a 9-inch springform pan with cooking spray. Whisk together yolks and 1/4 cup granulated sugar with a mixer on medium-high speed until pale and thick, about 3 minutes. Transfer to a large bowl; fold in apples, pecans, matzo cake meal, and remaining 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon.
• Whisk whites, salt, and remaining 1/4 cup granulated sugar in a clean bowl of a mixer until stiff, glossy peaks form. Working in 3 batches, gently fold whites into batter. Pour into pan. Bake until top is brown and a toothpick comes out clean, about 35 minutes. Let cool.
• Run a knife or an offset spatula around edge of torte. Remove from pan. Garnish with confectioners' sugar.

PECAN TORTE WITH STRAWBERRIES AND CREAM

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°F.
• Pulse pecans, cake meal, and 3 tablespoons sugar in a food processor until nuts are very finely chopped.
• Beat yolks and 1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons sugar in a large bowl with an electric mixer on high speed until pale and very thick. Stir in lemon zest and juice.
• Beat whites with salt in another bowl with cleaned beaters on high speed until soft peaks form. Gradually beat in 5 tablespoons sugar and beat until whites just hold stiff, glossy peaks.
• In 3 batches, alternately fold nut mixture and whites into yolk mixture. Spoon batter into ungreased pan and smooth top.
• Bake cake in middle of oven until golden and a tester comes out clean, about 1 hour. Cool in pan, upside-down, 2 hours. (If pan has "legs," stand it on those. Otherwise, invert pan over neck of a bottle.)
• Turn pan right side up, then run a long thin knife around outer edge of cake with a smooth (not sawing) motion. Loosen center in same manner. Remove outer rim of pan and run knife under bottom of cake to release. Invert cake onto a cake plate.
• Beat cream with remaining tablespoon sugar until it just holds stiff peaks. Spread evenly over top and sides of cake and arrange strawberries on top. Serve chilled.

CHOCOLATE-PECAN TORTE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°F. and butter two 8- by 2-inch round cake pans. Line each pan with a round of wax paper and butter paper.
• Make cake layers:
• In a food processor pulse 2 cups pecans with flour, salt, and baking powder until finely ground (do not pulse to a paste). Transfer mixture to a bowl and stir in orange juice. Separate eggs and in a large bowl with an electric mixer beat yolks until pale yellow. Gradually add sugar, beating until thick and pale, and fold in pecan mixture gently but thoroughly. In another bowl with cleaned beaters beat whites until they hold stiff peaks. Stir about one fourth whites into pecan mixture to lighten and fold in remaining whites gently but thoroughly.
• Divide batter between cake pans and bake in middle of oven 25 minutes, or until cakes pull away from sides of pans. Cool cake layers in pans on a rack 10 minutes and invert onto rack to cool completely. Carefully remove wax paper from bottoms of cake layers.
• While cake layers are cooling, on a baking sheet toast remaining 1/2 cup pecans until fragrant and a shade darker, about 8 minutes. Cool nuts and chop.
• Make filling:
• In a medium bowl with cleaned beaters beat cream with zest until it just holds stiff peaks.
• Arrange 1 cake layer, top side up, on a serving plate and spread filling evenly onto layer. Put remaining layer, bottom side up, on filling.
• Make frosting:
• Chop chocolate. In a double boiler or a metal bowl set over a saucepan of barely simmering water melt chocolate, stirring until smooth. Remove chocolate from heat and stir in sour cream and a pinch salt until smooth.
• Immediately spread frosting on top and side of torte and pat toasted pecans around side. Chill torte, loosely covered, until frosting is set, at least 1 hour, and up to 3 days.
• Serve torte chilled or at room temperature.

PUMPKIN PECAN PRALINE TORTE RECIPE - (4.7/5)

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350°F. Place a parchment cutout into each cake pan and brush paper and sides with melted butter or spray with baking spray. Sprinkle evenly with flour and shake out excess, set aside. Blend and sift together flour, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon, ginger, allspice and salt. Set aside. In a bowl large enough to hold all ingredients whisk egg using a hand held or stand mixer until well blended, add sugar and whip until thick and pale, about 5 minutes. On low speed add vanilla and pumpkin. Stir in flour and mix until just combined. Scoop and divide evenly into prepared pans. Place in oven and bake until the center of the cakes bounce back when lightly pressed with a finger or an inserted toothpick comes out clean, about 13 to 15 minutes. For frosting mix cream cheese and soft butter on low speed until blended. Add one cup of powdered sugar and mix on low speed until blended. Gradually add remaining powdered sugar and mix on low to medium speed until light and fluffy. Add vanilla and mix well. In a saucepan bring all the ingredients to a boil excluding the pecans. Boil for 3 minutes ensuring that the mixture will not boil over. Remove from heat and stir in the pecans. Set aside. Remove parchment paper from one cake round and place cake on a serving platter. Frost the surface with approximately 1/3 inch cream cheese frosting. Remove parchment paper from second layer and place onto frosted cake round. Frost once again with cream cheese frosting. Remove parchment paper from third layer and place onto frosted cake round. If caramel topping is too firm to spread onto surface heat briefly until slightly softened. Do not allow to get warm! Spread onto surface of cake.

APPLE PECAN TORTE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 450.
• Unfold both pie crusts.
• Cut each crust in half.
• Place crust halves on ungreased cookie sheets.
• Prick several times with fork.
• Bake for 6 to 8 minutes or until light golden brown.
• Cool while preparing filling.
• In large microwave-safe bowl, combine apples sugar, flour, cinnamon, butter and vanilla Mix well.
• Cover and microwave on high for 3 minutes.
• Stir.
• Microwave an additional 3 to 6 minutes, or until apples are tender (stirring once halfway through cooking) Place 1/2 cup of frosting in a small microwave safe bowl; set aside.
• Add remaining frosting to apple mixture; stir until apples are coated.
• Place one crust half in center of ungreased cookie sheet.
• Spread with 1/3 of apple mixture (about 1 cup); sprinkle with 1/4 cup of pecans Top with second crust half, pressing lightly.
• Repeat layers ending with fourth crust half.
• Cover loosely with foil.
• Bake at 450 for 8 minutes.
• Remove foil and bake an additional 1 or 2 minutes or until golden brown.
• Microwave reserved frosting on high for 20 to 30 seconds, or until melted.
• Pour over top of torte and spread to edges.
• Sprinkle with remaining 1/4 cup pecans.
• Cool 15 minutes.
• To serve, cut into wedges.
• If desired, serve with ice cream or whipped topping.

FROZEN PUMPKIN MOUSSE TORTE WITH CARAMEL-PECAN TOPPING

Steps:

• For Crust: Preheat oven to 350.
• Finely chop nuts and sugar in food processor.
• Add butter and blend, using on/off turns, until moist crumbs form.
• Using plastic wrap as aid, press mixture onto bottom and all the way up sides of a 9-inch-diameter springform pan with 2 3/4-inch-high sides, covering completely.
• Freeze 10 minutes.
• Bake crust until golden, about 10 minutes.
• Cool.
• For Filling: Whisk 1 cup cream, sugar and yolks in heavy medium saucepan.
• Stir constantly over medium heat until candy thermometer registers 160, about 6 minutes.
• Strain into large bowl.
• Using electric mixer, beat mixture until cool and slightly thickened, about 8 minutes.
• Beat in pumpkin, corn syrup, rum and spices.
• Using electric mixer, beat remaining 1 1/2 cups cream in large bowl to medium-stiff peaks.
• Fold cream into pumpkin mixture.
• Transfer filling to crust.
• Cover and freeze overnight.
• For topping: Arrange pecans side by side atop torte, covering completely.
• Drizzle 1/2 cup caramel sauce over, covering nuts completely (pan will be filled to top).
• Freeze until caramel sets, at least 3 hours or overnight.
• To Serve: Run sharp knife around pan sides to loosen torte.
• Release pan sides.
• Stir remaining caramel sauce in heavy small saucepan over medium heat until warm.
• Slice torte and serve with sauce.

MOCHA-PECAN TORTE

Steps:

• For the torte:.
• Line the bottom of 4 8-inch round cakepans with waxed paper. Grease and flour the waxed paper and set aside.
• Combine egg yolks, sugar, and baking powder; beat at hight speed of an electric mixer for 2-3 minutes or until mixture is thick and lemon colored. Combine cocoa and breadcrumbs, and stir ino the yolk mixture. Stir in vanilla; fold in ground pecans.
• Beat egg whties (at room temperature) in a large mixing bowl until stiff peaks form; gently fold 1/4 of eggs whties into yolk mixture. Pour batter evenly itno the prepared pans, spreading top to smooth.
• Bake at 350 F for 15 minutes or until layers spring back when they are lightly touched. Do not overbake! Cool in pans for 5 minutes, then invert onto wire racks, gently peeling off the waxed paper. Let cool completely.
• Make the Mocha-Buttercream Frosting:
• Dissolve instant coffee powder in water; set aside. Cream butter in a large mixing bowl; add coffee mixture and cocoa. Gradually add powdered sugar alternately with half-&-half, beating until mixture is light and fluffy. Beat in vanilla.
• Make the Chocolate Hearts and Shavings:.
• Melt the chocolate on topp of a double boiler over hot water. Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil; pour chocolate onto baking sheet.
• For rippled chocolate hearts, gently shake baking sheet until chocolate is level and about 1/4 inch thick. Let chocolate cool 5-10 minutes. Gently run a metal deocrating comb over chocolate to achieve a rippled effect and to flatten chocolate to about 1/8 inch thickness. Lest stand until chocolate is firm.
• Firmly press a 1-inch heart-shaped cutter into choclate, cutting through chocolate completly. Lift cutter up, and remove cutout by getnly pressing through cutter with a small wooden utensil. (Fingers leave prints). Cut out 12 chocolate hearts.
• Break remainign chocolate into small pieces. Shave edges of chocolate with a vegetable peeler, holding chocolate with paper towels so that the heat from your hand doesn't melt the chocolate. Reserve hearts and shavings.
• Frosting the Torte:.
• Measure and set aside 1 1/2 cups Mocha-Buttercream Frosting for piping. Spread remainging frosting between layers and top and sides of torte.
• Spoon reserved frosting inot a large decorating bag fitted with large metal tip No. 5 (star tip). Pipe 12 decorative mounds of frosting evenly around top edges of torte. Fit decorating bag with large metal tip No. 1. Pipe remaining frosting around base of torte ina shell design.
• Gently nestle a chocolate heart at an angle inot each mound of frosting on top of torte; place a maraschino cherry half at base of each on the inside. Sprinkle chocolate shavings in center of torte. Chill until ready to serve.

MAPLE-PECAN TORTE (WITH BOURBON)

Steps:

• heat oven to 350°F.
• Spread chopped pecans on large baking sheet.
• Toast in oven, stirring occasionally, until lightly browned, about 10 minutes.
• Remove nuts from oven; set aside to cool.
• Maintain oven at 350°F.
• Lightly butter and flour 2 straight-sided 10 inch round cake pans.
• Line bottoms with ungreased kitchen parchment or waxed paper.
• On medium speed, beat 1 cup butter in large bowl until fluffy.
• Gradually beat in 1 cup sugar.
• Continue to beat until very fluffy.
• Increase speed to high.
• Pour in 1 cup of the maple syrup in thin stream, beating all the while.
• Beat egg yolks into the butter mixture, one at a time, beating and scraping sides of bowl with rubber spatula after each addition.
• Beat in orange zest, maple flavoring and vanilla.
• Sift cake flour, baking powder and soda onto waxed paper or bowl.
• Sift together one more time; set aside.
• Beat egg whites and salt in large grease-free bowl with clean beaters on medium speed until soft peaks form.
• Increase speed to high and beat until stiff but not dry.
• Beginning and ending with the flour mixture, fold it and egg whites alternately in butter mixture, sifting the flour over the butter mixture, about 1/2 cup at a time and then folding it into mixture.
• The flour will take 5 additions.
• The egg whites 4 additions.
• Fold gently--Do not over mix.
• Pour batter in prepared cake pans and smooth surface with gently with rubber spatula.
• Bake in center of oven 25 to 30 minutes or until inserted wooden pick comes out clean.
• Remove pans from oven. Let layers cool in pans on wire rack 8 minutes.
• Unmold layers onto wire racks, let cool completley.
• Place layers in plastic wrap on baking sheets in freezer until semi frozen, about 45 minutes.
• While cake is in freezer make Maple Buttercream:.
• Combine remaining 1/4 cup sugar and 1/4 cup maple sugar in a heavy saucepan.
• Add orange slice and bourbon.
• Heat, stirring constantly over medium-high heat to boiling.
• Boil gently 1 minute.
• Remove from heat. Discard orange slice.
• You should have about 1/3 cup of syrup.
• Trim brown crusts from top and bottom of each semi-frozen cake layer; discard trimmings.
• Cut each layer horizontally in half with long serrated knife.
• Brush sides of layers with syrup.
• Sprinkle remaining syrup over surface of each layer.
• Place one layer, syrup side up on plate.
• Spread with Buttercream.
• Stack second layer on top with syrup side up.
• Spread with Buttercream.
• Repeat with next 2 layers--do not put Buttercream on top of last layer.
• Place a baking sheet on top of cake.
• Place a one 1-pound weight (can of fruit or a bag of rice) on top of baking sheet.
• Refrigerate 15 minutes to compress layers.
• Remove cake from refrigerator. Remove weight. Remove baking sheet.
• Spread remaining Buttercream over top and sides of cake.
• Press toasted pecans evenly over sides of cake.
• Refrigerate at least 1 hour before serving.
• Maple Buttercream:.
• Beat butter in large bowl until fluffy; reserve.
• Heat maple syrup in heavy medium saucepan over medium heat to boiling.
• Cook without stirring until syrup reaches firm ball stage or candy thermometer reaches 244°F (31 to 32 minutes), watching to see syrup doesn't boil over.
• You should have about 1 cup.
• When syrup reaches soft ball stage (238 degrees to 240 degrees or 22 minutes), begin beating egg whites with salt in large grease-free bowl with clean beaters on medium speed until stiff but not dry (7 to 8 minutes.
• Continue to beat.
• Add hot syrup in thin streams, scraping down sides of bowl with rubber spatula once or twice.
• Continue to beat mixture until it has reached room temperature and no longer feels warm (10 to 15 minutes).
• Increase speed to high.
• Beat in one fourth of the reserved butter about 1 tablespoon at a time.
• Then beat in remaining butter by tablespoons.
• Scrape down sides.
• Beat in bourbon and vanilla.

PECAN TORTE

Steps:

• For torte:Prehaet oven to 350 degrees.Lightly flour the backs of 2 or 3 9 inch cake pans before each baking.Combine the dry ingredients in a large bowl.Rub cold butter into this mixture with your fingertips.Break the egg onto the mixture and cut it in.Form dough into a ball.Divide ball of dough into 6 equal parts.Roll each into a 9 inch circle and bake on inverted pans for 10 to 12 minutes or until edges are golden brown.Let layers cooland remove them with a broad spatula. Filling: Combine nuts,sugar,brandy,sour cream and vanilla.Stir until smooth.Sprread over each layer except for the layer that will go on top.Press together gently after each layer.Spread top layer with a thin coating of apricot preserves and sprinkle with powdered sugar.