HUNGARIAN CHOCOLATE-WALNUT TORTE

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Hungarian Chocolate-Walnut Torte image

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

3/4 cup sugar (if using half semisweet and half sweet chocolate) or 3/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons sugar (if using all semisweet chocolate)
6 ounces fine-quality chocolate, preferably half dark sweet (sometimes labeled German's Sweet Chocolate), and half semisweet, but all semisweet is also delicious; cut into small pieces
6 large eggs, separated
6 ounces shelled walnuts (1 3/4 to 2 cups)
3 tablespoons matzoh meal
Optional accompaniments: Passover Confectioners' Sugar (recipe below) or Chocolate Icing (recipe below); heavy cream, freshly whipped to soft drifts and barely or very lightly sweetened; or vanilla ice cream
Optional garnish: walnut halves
Chocolate icing:
6 tablespoons (3/4 stick) unsalted butter or margarine
6 ounces fine-quality semisweet or bittersweet chocolate, cut into small pieces

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 ConfectionersÂ’ 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.

Sonya Rankin
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This torte is the perfect dessert for a special occasion. It's rich, decadent, and absolutely delicious. The chocolate and walnut flavors are perfectly balanced, and the cake is moist and fluffy. I would definitely recommend this recipe to anyone loo


Nabil Jrab
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I'm not a huge fan of chocolate, but this torte was still very good. The walnut flavor really balanced out the chocolate, and the cake was moist and fluffy. I would definitely recommend this recipe to anyone looking for a less sweet chocolate dessert


Noe's Quick Tech Tips
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This torte is a must-try! The chocolate and walnut flavors are divine, and the cake is so moist and fluffy. I will definitely be making this again and again.


nahla darwish
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5 stars!


Kahsu Mahre
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This torte was amazing! The chocolate and walnut flavors were so rich and decadent, and the cake was so moist and fluffy. I would definitely recommend this recipe to anyone looking for a special dessert.


shagor Khan
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This torte was a bit too sweet for my taste, but it was still very good. The chocolate and walnut flavors were delicious, and the cake was moist and fluffy. I would recommend reducing the amount of sugar in the recipe if you prefer a less sweet desse


Santho Mia
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I made this torte for a party and it was a huge hit! Everyone loved the rich chocolate flavor and the crunchy walnuts. It was also surprisingly easy to make, so I will definitely be making it again.


MUMTAZ SHAHID CHAUDHARY
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This torte was absolutely delicious! The chocolate and walnut flavors were perfectly balanced, and the cake was moist and fluffy. I would definitely recommend this recipe to anyone looking for a decadent and satisfying dessert.