CHRISTMAS CRANBERRY, PEAR AND WALNUT TORTE WITH CREAM CHEESE-ORANGE FROSTING

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Christmas Cranberry, Pear and Walnut Torte with Cream Cheese-Orange Frosting image

Categories     Cake     Food Processor     Mixer     Cheese     Dairy     Egg     Fruit     Nut     Dessert     Bake     Christmas     Cream Cheese     Cranberry     Orange     Pear     Walnut     Fall     Winter     Bon Appétit     Kidney Friendly     Vegetarian     Pescatarian     Peanut Free     Soy Free     Kosher

Yield Makes 10 servings

Number Of Ingredients 15

2 3/4 cups chopped toasted walnuts
1 cup all purpose flour
1/2 cup plain dry breadcrumbs
2 teaspoons grated orange peel
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground allspice
1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
1/2 teaspoon salt
6 large eggs
1 1/2 cups sugar
1/2 cup (packed) golden brown sugar
1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, melted, lukewarm
1/2 cup fresh or frozen cranberries
Cream Cheese-Orange Frosting
Poached Pears with Cranberry Puree

Steps:

  • Position rack in center of oven; preheat to 375°F. Butter two 9-inch-diameter cake pans. Line bottom of pans with waxed paper. Butter and flour waxed paper; tap out excess flour.
  • Blend 2 cups walnuts and flour in processor until walnuts are finely ground. Add breadcrumbs, orange peel, spices and salt. Using on/off turns, process just until blended.
  • Using electric mixer, beat eggs in large bowl until frothy. Gradually beat in 1 cup sugar and brown sugar. Continue beating until mixture is thick and triples in volume, about 6 minutes.
  • Fold flour mixture and melted lukewarm butter alternately into egg mixture, beginning and ending with flour mixture (do not overmix or batter will deflate). Divide batter between prepared cake pans; smooth tops. Bake cakes until golden and tester inserted into center comes out clean, about 25 minutes. Transfer pans to racks; cool 5 minutes. Invert cakes onto racks; cool completely. Remove waxed paper.
  • Toss cranberries with remaining 1/2 cup sugar in small bowl to coat. Transfer berries to plate. Cover and freeze. (Can be prepared ahead. Wrap each cake layer separately in plastic. Freeze cake layers and sugarcoated cranberries up to 1 week.)
  • Place 1 cake layer on platter. Spread with 1 cup frosting. Top with second cake layer. Spread remaining frosting over top and sides of torte. Press remaining 3/4 cup walnuts onto torte sides. Arrange poached pears in concentric circles atop torte. (Torte can be frosted 1 day ahead. Cover torte; chill. Let torte stand 30 minutes at room temperature before serving.)
  • Rewarm cranberry puree in small saucepan over medium heat. Brush some puree over pears. Transfer remaining puree to bowl.
  • Garnish torte with frozen sugarcoated cranberries. Serve torte with puree.

Rose Keale
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I made this torte for my family's Christmas celebration and it was a big hit! The cranberries, pears, and walnuts were a perfect combination and the cream cheese orange frosting was delicious. I will definitely be making this torte again next year!


Geme Video
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This torte was absolutely delicious! I loved the combination of cranberries, pears, and walnuts. The cream cheese orange frosting was the perfect finishing touch. I will definitely be making this torte again.


Munir Ahamad
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I made this torte for my Christmas party and it was a huge success! Everyone loved it and I received many compliments. I will definitely be making this torte again.


Mukhtyar Panhwer
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This torte was absolutely delicious! I loved the tartness of the cranberries and the sweetness of the pears. The walnuts added a nice crunch and the cream cheese orange frosting was the perfect finishing touch. I will definitely be making this torte


Manisha Khatri
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I was a bit hesitant to make this torte because I'm not a huge fan of cranberries, but I'm so glad I did! The cranberries were not too tart and the pears and walnuts balanced them out perfectly. The cream cheese orange frosting was also delicious and


sam Shan
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This torte was a bit more work than I expected, but it was definitely worth it! The end result was a beautiful and delicious dessert that was perfect for my holiday party. I will definitely be making this torte again.


Annet Boslaid
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I made this torte for my family's Christmas celebration and it was a big hit! The cranberries, pears, and walnuts were a perfect combination and the cream cheese orange frosting was delicious. I will definitely be making this torte again next year!


Mr SHAWON
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This torte was absolutely delicious! I loved the combination of cranberries, pears, and walnuts. The cream cheese orange frosting was the perfect finishing touch. I will definitely be making this torte again.


Comfort Nwosu Humgbeme
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I made this torte for my Christmas party and it was a huge success! Everyone loved it and I received many compliments. I will definitely be making this torte again.


mudassir khxn
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This torte was absolutely delicious! I loved the tartness of the cranberries and the sweetness of the pears. The walnuts added a nice crunch and the cream cheese orange frosting was the perfect finishing touch. I will definitely be making this torte


Shazaman Khan
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I was a bit hesitant to make this torte because I'm not a huge fan of cranberries, but I'm so glad I did! The cranberries were not too tart and the pears and walnuts balanced them out perfectly. The cream cheese orange frosting was also delicious and


Fishi On me
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This torte was a bit more work than I expected, but it was definitely worth it! The end result was a beautiful and delicious dessert that was perfect for my holiday party. I will definitely be making this torte again.


aleha ghulamhussain
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I made this torte for my family's Christmas celebration and it was a big hit! The cranberries, pears, and walnuts were a perfect combination and the cream cheese orange frosting was delicious. I will definitely be making this torte again next year!


Jone Enrique
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This torte was absolutely delicious! I loved the combination of cranberries, pears, and walnuts. The cream cheese orange frosting was the perfect finishing touch. I will definitely be making this torte again.


aljI ali
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I made this torte for my Christmas party and it was a huge success! Everyone loved it and I received many compliments. I will definitely be making this torte again.


Ariana Bumblebee
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This torte was a bit more work than I expected, but it was definitely worth it! The end result was a beautiful and delicious dessert that was perfect for my holiday party. I will definitely be making this torte again.


Oleg Shipicin
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I was a bit hesitant to make this torte because I'm not a huge fan of cranberries, but I'm so glad I did! The cranberries were not too tart and the pears and walnuts balanced them out perfectly. The cream cheese orange frosting was also delicious and


Mwadi Ilunga
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This torte was absolutely delicious! I loved the tartness of the cranberries and the sweetness of the pears. The walnuts added a nice crunch and the cream cheese orange frosting was the perfect finishing touch. I will definitely be making this torte


Jesus Arias
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I made this torte for my family's Christmas celebration and it was a huge hit! The combination of cranberries, pears, and walnuts was perfect, and the cream cheese orange frosting was the perfect finishing touch. I will definitely be making this tort