Now the cake was magnificent, but the pan size was wrong, which made the cooking time wrong, which gave me a drier cake, than I think it was meant to be. But it was still pretty darn tasty, and if I had included one of the ingredients it called for I think it would have improved the flavor… I left out the candied ginger, not being a fan of ginger…but in hindsight I think it would have been a good addition.
I will try this cake again, with the ginger, and a smaller pan……oh yes and more chocolate glaze!
Torta Ricca con Frutta Secca e Disidratata (Italian Chocolate Torte)
1 1/2 cups Mixed Nuts (I used pecans, cashews, pistachio’s)
8.75 oz Bittersweet Chocolate (65% cocoa or better)
10 1/2 Tbsp Butter Softened
1/2 cup + 2 Tbsp Light Brown Sugar (packed)
1/4 cup Plain Greek Yogurt
1/4 cup Mascarpone
3/4 cup + 1 Tbsp Whole Wheat Flour
3 Large Eggs separated
2 Tbsp unsweetened Cocoa
2 Tbsp Rum
3/4 cup dried Cranberries
1/2 cup dried pineapple cut in small pieces( I used Cherries)
1/2 cup candied ginger cut it small pieces
1/8 tsp Sea Salt
10 ounces of canned cherries for garnish (optional)
Chocolate Glaze (adjusted)
8 oz semi sweet chocolate
4 tbsp Unsalted Butter
3 tbsp Heavy Cream
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees with the rack in the middle of the oven.
The original recipe called for a 9″ springform pan, and I think this is where the problem was, the picture was almost twice as high as my cake, so I would use a 7 inch springform pan, or reduce the cooking
time. Coat the inside of the springform pan liberally with butter.
Spread the nuts on a sheet pan and roast them for about 10 minutes stirring them once. After allowing them to cool, chop them into smaller pieces.
Chop the chocolate into small pieces and in a bowl over simmering water allow the chocolate to melt completely. Allow the chocolate to cool slightly.
In your mixer whip the softened butter with the brown sugar for about 10 minutes using the whisk attachment of your mixer.
Add in the mascarpone, and Greek yogurt mix to combine then add the melted chocolate,flour, egg yolks, and cocoa, mix just enough to combine.
Then add your cranberries, roasted nuts, pineapple and candied ginger, fold these ingredients in.
In a clean mixing bowl, whip the egg whites with the salt, until soft peaks are formed, then carefully fold them into the chocolate mixture.
Pour into your prepared springform pan and place on a cookie sheet in the oven. If your using a 9 inch springform pan, start checking your cake around 30 minutes. The cake should start to pull away from the sides slightly. If you are using a 7 inch spingform pan, start checking your cake at around 40 minutes.
This is where my mistake came, the cake should have been moister, it was just a little dry and started to fall apart slightly. While I have never seen a cake like this, I think a moister almost brownie like consistency is what you are looking for. It is a dense cake, but not quite as dense as a flourless torte.
Remove the cake from the oven and allow to cool on a wire rack while you make the glaze.
Let the glaze cool for about 10 minutes then using an offset spatula spread the chocolate evenly and allow it to drip down the sides of the cake. I increased the recipe for glaze so you would have enough to do the cake justice.
Serve with fresh whipped cream and berries, or just by itself. This cake will go wonderfully with coffee or a glass of red wine!
Thanks for stopping by today, I hope if you give the cake a try that you enjoy it as much as my neighbors did, but then again there an easy crowd! Have a wonderful week and until next time, ciao!
ladymorgiana says
oh my, this looks so gorgeous! I haven't been around for quite a while, and so much missed reading your posts! You mesmerized me as always Chef!
ladymorgiana says
oh my, this looks so gorgeous! I haven't been around for quite a while, and so much missed reading your posts! You mesmerized me as always Chef!
Maranda says
Sorry this cake didn't turn out as you wanted it to…but it still looks great! I'll take a slice with a cup of coffee!
the constant hunger says
This looks sensational. I think I have this issue of Cucina Italiana. This is the perfect thing to make for coffee time with friends.
Lin Ann says
It's so nice to "hear" you "speak" so well about your job. Makes getting up a lot easier in the morning when you look forward to your work. How could you come up with a better menu? From what I've seen, it already looks perfect. I wish you were the chef at my kids' schools! I think I would want to volunteer in the kitchen if you were, if that would be allowed. And that's a wonderful magazine you're talking about. Your cake looks marvelous!
Big Dude says
It's hard to beat enjoying your job. The chocolate torte looks to die for.
Marguerite says
Now that is what I call decadent! Beautiful cake and I'm putting it on my special occasions list. Thanks for the great recipe!
Torviewtoronto says
this looks delicious love the presentation with the rose
I haven't had this combination of flavours with chocolate
Danielle says
I know how you feel about a rough year! The culinary school I work for has a brand new building being built ready to open for the next semester..its been a mad house!! Rest up 🙂
Elyse @The Cultural Dish says
Regardless if the cake came out more dry for you, it looks absolutely delicious and very moist! I could eat that glaze plain… 🙂
Chris's Gourmet Fashion says
Mistake or not, this cake looks truly decadent! I wouldn't mind a slice right now with a cup of tea 🙂 I havn't seen Cucina Italiana around in a while .. I have some old copies and I love the magazine too.
anniebakes says
more chocolate galze is always a good thing, but this looks beautiful the way it is, anne
Carrie @ Pure & Yummy says
I love all things chocolate, and this cake looks and sounds fantastic! I want to eat it NOW! 🙂 I am sure that your students love and appreciate all the wonderful food, I know I would!
Linda says
This reminds me of a chocolate fruitcake with gooey chocolatey glaze! I don't think anyone would turn down a slice of this cake! Looking forward to seeing all your summer cooking!
Christine's Pantry says
Hi Chef Dennis, this cake looks amazing, and sounds delicious! I'd eat a piece or two.
briarrose says
Looks quite tasty. I like the thought of dried cherries and chocolate better than dried pineapple and chocolate.
[email protected] says
One of the many things I admire about you Chef is your modesty and generosity. All the great recipes you share, all the introductions you make for other bloggers, and the technical side of blogging that you de-mystify for everyone. I'm so glad you'll have some time to rest and reinvigorate over the summer.
Kate from Scratch says
Fabulous! The post, the photos, the writing, the recipe…all absolutely flawless!
Now…for the really important part…
I want to eat it! 😀 YUM!
Katrina {In Katrina's Kitchen} says
It is still lovely! And what deep flavors it must have! Look at that lineup! Yum! Great images too Dennis!
Krissy says
This looks divine. Chocolate cake never turns out as planned for me so I feel your mild disappointment…luckily it always ends up tasting good. This looks very moist and that glaze is decadent. Thanks for sharing.
Lisa says
NO improvement needed, chocolate, drippy perfection. Just send your 'need improvements' to me 😉
sara @ CaffeIna says
I'm so jealous that your school year is over! I still have 5 weeks to go. I'm so looking forward! You know, you are making a non-chocoholic drooling with this cake. I think you are already regaining great energy 🙂
Have some rest, Chef!
Ryan says
Wow, what a beautiful cake! It sounds amazing with the fruit and nuts and chocolate! What could be better than that combo? Hope you get some well-deserved rest this summer and congrats on the end of the school year!
a. maren says
aw well it looks just gorgeous! i'm sure it was wonderful, even if it didn't turn out quite as you'd hoped. very pretty. and i think your students are very lucky for what you do for them! if you ever feel bad (or they ever complain) just think about the microwaved flash frozen chicken fried steak (so-called) of indeterminate origin other school kids are eating…
A Thought For Food says
What a delicious and decadent looking cake! Thank you so much for sharing it with us.
Spicie Foodie says
I think your cake still looks scrumptious. I hope you get all your energy and feel reinvigorated from a well rested school break. Have a great week Dennis!
Cheryl and Adam @ pictureperfectmeals.com says
Your heart is as good as your food Chef and it's wonderful how you care for and about your students. The torta looks exquisite, wrong pan or not. Buono!
Annie's Dish says
The torte looks delicious! Although I have never tried it, I like the idea of chocolate and ginger together. Let us know how it goes if you make it again.
Nancy says
This looks so good – I am definitely going to have to try it myself. I was never a fan of candied fruits in desserts so I will leave them out too!
Sara says
Ooooh, this looks so decadent and delicious, YUM! 🙂
Carolyn says
Oh no, I hate that. I've tried to make a cake that called for 2 9-inch pans in 8-inch ones intead and had to quickly scoop out some cake as it threatened to overflow in the oven. But a tad drier or not, yours looks delicious!
Evan Thomas says
Even if it was drier than it should have been, it still looks delicious. A glaze can make anything better.
Amy's Cooking Adventures says
It does seem like this (school) year has been particularly long, doesn't it? But that is the beauty of teaching. – you get the summer to recharge and in September you get to start fresh! Your school sounds like an excellent place to study…and your torte looks phenomenal! Happy Spring!
RavieNomNoms says
I love The Life of Brian haha, my dad used to have me watch those movies with him when I was in college. I loved them!!
Your chocolate torte looks amazing! YUM
Erin says
What a beautiful looking cake! I probably would have left the candied ginger out as well! And always more ganche!!
Wendy Irene says
I love how beautiful and romantic the cake looks with a rose Chef Dennis! Sending smiles 🙂
Emily Malloy says
I'm meeeeelting.
This is heaven on a plate!
Andrea @ From the Bookshelf says
Can never have too much chocolate glaze! This looks fantastic! Love all the fruit inside!
Georgia | The Comfort of Cooking says
This is a gorgeous chocolate torte, Dennis, even if it didn't turn out exactly like you wanted. Keep your chin up! 🙂 You have plenty of adoring fans who will always be supportive no matter what you chose to do professionally.
Roxan says
Oh, this torte looks so chocolatey and delicious! I think it looks just perfect, Chef, even if you think that it can be improved. 🙂 It's still only 8:20a over here in Los Angeles but I could totally go for a huge slice of this cake right now. There's nothing wrong with chocolate for breakfast right?
PS This is Roxan from Kitchen Meditation! I have moved on to a new blog.
Jenn says
Sorry, Chef, I left a comment and deleted it because for some reason I thought I was commenting on someone elses' post! lol
What I meant to say here was:
He's not the Messiah. He's a very naughty boy! 🙂 And, of course, despite the dryness, the cake looks and sounds delicious!!
A SPICY PERSPECTIVE says
Hey, even with a hiccup in the pan size it looks ridiculously good! Saving this one for sure!
claire says
GORGEOUS!
Tickled Red says
Oh my heavens, come to momma!!
Adora's Box says
The cake actually looks so moist, Chef. Lots of special ingredients. This is good for a celebration. I hope you enjoy your break and get a chance to recharge.
Claudia says
I raised my children on Life of Brian and Monty Python in general – and from what I see with my students – many other parents did also! I will be making this cake. Enough said…written…
Becky says
What a gorgeous torte, chocked full of all those yummy ingredients, with the chocolate glaze on the top. This torte is over the moon.
Hang in there, your respite is in site!
Pretend Chef says
I would love a slice of this cake. It looks so delicious. Yummy! I also wanted to invite you to check out a giveaway on my blog for a 12 pack of Element Bars. Check it out here: http://imapretendchef.blogspot.com/2011/05/element-bars-giveaway.html
Megan @ Pip and Ebby says
Just a few more weeks and you can breathe again! I've had a crazy year work-wise, too, but mine never ends! I'm envious of your summer break. And the torte? Well, it looks gorgeous. And I love the ingredients…very unique!
Drick says
that is a nice list of ingredients yet you want to make adjustments? sounds like me, never completely satisfied… good luck on your summer's planning and rest, hope you will share a glimpse of your journey with us
Susan says
This is a wonderful looking cake despite your small problems. I would eat this in a heartbeat!! It reminds me of a passion I have for pan forte.
Lizzy says
Oh, yeah, this looks fabulous! I bet it moistens up with some time since it's chock full of yummy fruit. And, I agree, more chocolate glaze is never a bad thing.
PS…from the look of your blog, you have plenty of productivity left, my friend!
Sandra says
Had this cake looked anymore delicious we may have all fainted from excitement. We bakers are always are harshest critics and that only helps us improve. This cakes looks truly sinful; the chocolate lover in me loves this!
Happy When Not Hungry says
This looks so rich and decadent! Yum!
[email protected] says
AH – good old Monty 🙂 Your cake does look super moist, oh chef perfectionist! Love the shot with the rose: beautiful. Courage before the end of term! Keep taking the chocolate cake for that extra boost.
Hester Casey - Alchemy says
Dennis, your girls are so lucky to have you. I watched some of Jamie Oliver's school dinners series and Heston Blumental's children's hospital dinners and was pretty horrified as it all seems about squeezing every last drop from the budget. I believe eating well is not an extravagance and you demonstrate this all the time. Will take your advice on the torte!
jose manuel says
Me apunto tú receta, se ve fantastica.
Saludos
Elin says
Chef Dennis…thank you so much for sharing this sinfully decadent italian chocolate torte. I won't mind having a slice of it eventhough I know I will be putting on some calories…who cares like you said " I am not dead yet, I am happy " LOL! Eat and sweat it out later. Wishing you a well rested summer and looking forward to more sinfully rich cakes and desserts 🙂
Cheers,
Elin
Marcellina says
Again you give us a wonderful dessert! This cake looks magnificent! I will definately be trying it!
The Harried Cook says
That does not look dry at all! And because I am not a big ginger fan either, I think this is just perfect as it is… and I agree – one can never have too much glaze 🙂 Thanks for sharing this yummy recipe!
thecompletecookbook says
Chef, what a fabulous cake. It certainly doesn't look dry. I love a decadent chocolate cake.
🙂 Mandy
Indonesian In Turkey says
Wow, it absolutely seems scrumptious! and great picture as well with beautiful rose, really festive the spring ^,^
Julia @ DimpleArts says
The torte looks so decadent. Beautiful!
Hester aka The Chef Doc says
Ooh, I'm not a fan of candied ginger, either. But, I do agree that the torte looks pretty great 🙂 I can't believe all the ingredients in it.
Cakewhiz says
Nuts in cakes always taste fabulous! And all that glaze… I wish i could have a slice right away. I am printing this recipe as i type this comment…..lol
My Little Space says
The texture of this cake looks absolutely superb. Hope everything went well with you. Wishing the very best, Chef. Be cool & Have a wonderful day.
Blessings, Kristy
warmvanillasugar says
This torte looks so lovely. I really like the idea! Yum.
[email protected] says
I can't believe all the yummy goodness that you put into this cake…mascarpone, cranberries, pineapple…wow! This might be another cake of yours that I will have to try. It's beautiful!
Jennifer-Adventuresome Kitchen says
"always look on the bright side of life"(Insert whistling…) Life of Brian is probably my most favorite Monty Python. Is that a blaze rose sitting so prettily next to your lovely cake? Perhaps spring has decided to stick around. I say that sitting here still wearing a down jacket! I'm glad to know that I'm not the only one who can't leave a recipe alone. I do think your cake looks lovely and would love to make a gf version sometime! Enjoy your time off- may you be rejuvinated!
kitchenarian says
I vote for red wine and more chocolate glaze! This looks delicious. I love the mascarpone cheese and cranberries in it. Thanks for sharing the recipe.
Tiffany says
Marscapone, rum, cranberries, and ginger?!? This cake is for me (I LOVE ginger!!!). And I think your outlook on your life's work is admirable! Not everyone is passionate about what they do and not everyone is constantly striving for ways to do what they love even better. Happy Sunday! 😀
Belinda @zomppa says
There's always tomorrow – and another slice of this gorgeous cake!
Alina---Explora Cuisine says
It looks delicious to me! I'm not a big fan of ginger neither so it works for me 🙂
Amy says
Dennis, this cake looks amazing, and sounds delicious! Even if it didn't turn out exactly how you expected, I am sure I would have loved it :)! Hope your weekend has been enjoyable!
Amy
BecHef says
I think it looks great, even without the candied ginger… and in my opinion, one can NEVER have enough glaze on the top of their cake! 🙂