Chocolate Almond Torte: One of the Best Versions I Know
Sneak Preview: This Chocolate Almond Torte with almond-studded chocolate ganache and whipping cream is perfect for a special occasion and one of the best versions I’ve ever made. Chocolate curls take it over the top, but leave them off if you’re not up to it.
Note: Look here for my Extraordinary Glazed Fudge Cake.
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Nothing beats this chocolate almond torte for a celebration. Whipped cream and chocolate ganache studded with almonds fill the layers and cover the top. Because I use 6-inch cake pans, I call it a mini-layer cake.
I made this cake during our first year of marriage when I was anxious to impress and willing to try baking anything we could afford. It was a winner and has always been one of my mom’s favorites.
When chilled, this torte has a rich and fudgy texture. The chocolate ganache is silky smooth and holds the almonds in place.
Recipe Inspiration
If memory serves me right, the original recipe came from an old Southern Living Cookbook I no longer have. The chocolate ganache is a recipe I borrowed from Dorie Greenspan’s Baking(paid link). Please note the amount of ganache is probably more than you need unless you substitute the ganache for the whipped cream between the second and third layers.
Regarding the cream layer: Fresh, sweetened whipping cream is the best, but frozen whipped topping such as Cool Whip holds up better if you want to make it a day ahead–which I recommend.
Why Use Smaller Cake Pans?
In the past, I used four 8-inch cake pans. It produced a cake big enough to feed 47 and a half people, or if you really want to know, eight people and me–for ten days afterward. Not good.
Then I discovered 6-inch cake pans, and I started cutting my cake recipes in half.
So, this is half the original recipe. If you don’t already have the smaller pans, check the internet, a restaurant supply, or a crafts store in the cake-baking section.
If you think they are too expensive, consider how much you would pay to lose a few pounds. (I ask myself this question often when considering the financial aspect of buying something that will help me stay healthy, e.g. a gym membership or a vacuum-pack machine so I can pack salad in a jar ).
Are you sure it’s not worth it?
Ingredients and Substitutions
- Chocolate: Use unsweetened chocolate in the cake. The Dutch cocoa powder specified in the recipe pumps up the chocolate flavor and deepens the color. Semi-sweet chocolate is specified for the ganache. Substitute bittersweet chocolate for less sweetness if you prefer.
- Butter: Use salted or unsalted butter. Margarine or vegan butter could be substituted.
- Flour: I use unbleached all-purpose flour, but bleached flour is also appropriate. I have not experimented with almond flour, so this cake would be gluten-free.
- Eggs: I always use large eggs in my recipes. This recipe does NOT call for separating eggs into egg whites or egg yolks. It’s easy enough for my grandkids to put together.
- Vanilla Extract: Use a good vanilla extract. If you don’t have any, add ¼ teaspoon of almond extract instead.
- Almonds: I like sliced almonds in the ganache filling as opposed to slivered almonds.
- Whipped Cream: Heavy or whipping cream (dairy) tastes the best. To sweeten it, add ¼ cup of powdered sugar to one cup of whipping cream as it starts to thicken. Flavor with a teaspoon of vanilla, if desired. If you anticipate leftovers or don’t want to mess with whipping cream, a whipped topping such as “Cool Whip” will suffice.
Frequently Asked Questions
It’s not always a simple 1:1 ratio. Almond flour doesn’t have the same binding qualities as wheat flour, and it tends to absorb more liquid. In my experience, the texture will be coarse.
They can be a little tricky. That means when you make some good ones, you’re going to be downright proud of yourself. I make them according to Pioneer Woman’s instructions for how to make chocolate curls.
If you need to serve more people, double this recipe and use 9-inch cake pans.
Yes. Any time you use whipped topping or fresh whipped cream, store the cake in your refrigerator.
Parting thoughts: Imagine yourself carrying this cake out of the kitchen and setting it on the table in front of everybody. It looks and tastes fancy but won’t take you long to put together.
In case looking at these pictures has set off a chocolate craving, may I suggest these Cupcake Tops with Chocolate Frosting, Chocolate Ganache Tarts, or my sister’s Swiss Chocolate Layer Cake.
Help at Your Fingertips: For questions or suggestions, email Paula at saladinajar.com. If you need help, I’m happy to troubleshoot via email (faster than leaving a comment). Attach pictures and as many details as possible for the best advice.
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Chocolate Almond Torte Recipe with Chocolate Ganache Filling
Ingredients
- 2 1-ounce squares (58 g) unsweetened chocolate
- ⅔ cup (150 g) water
- ⅓ cup (75 g) unsalted butter
- ¾ cup (90 g) unbleached all-purpose flour
- 2 tablespoons (10 g) Dutch cocoa powder
- ¾ cup (150 g) granulated sugar
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon table or sea salt
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 large (100 g) eggs
Chocolate Ganache
- 4 ounces (113 g) semi-sweet chocolate
- ½ cup (114 g) whipping cream
- 2 tablespoons (28 g) unsalted butter, room temperature
- ½ cup (46 g) sliced almonds
Sweetened Whipped Cream
- 1 cup (227 g) heavy whipping cream
- ¼ cup (30 g) confectioners’ sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350˚F.(180˚C)
Making the torte:
- Prepare two pans by cutting waxed paper to fit into the bottom of each 6-inch cake pan.
- Break the 2 1-ounce squares (58 g) unsweetened chocolate into small pieces and place it into a medium-size mixing bowl. Heat ⅔ cup (150 g) water, and ⅓ cup (75 g) unsalted butterin a 2-cup Pyrex cup for 1½ minutes on HIGH in the microwave, or until it starts to boil. Pour over chocolate pieces and allow them to sit until chocolate is melted.
- Sift the ¾ cup (90 g) unbleached all-purpose flour, 2 tablespoons (10 g) Dutch cocoa powder, ¾ cup (150 g) granulated sugar, ½ teaspoon baking soda, ¼ teaspoon baking powder, and ½ teaspoon table or sea salt together.
- Use a hand mixer or whisk to mix the melted chocolate mixture until smooth. Add sifted dry ingredients and continue mixing.
- Add ½ teaspoon vanilla extract and then 2 large (100 g) eggs–one egg at a time, mixing well between each egg.
- Pour ¾ cup of batter into each 6-inch pan.
- Bake in a preheated oven for 12 minutes at 350˚F (180˚C) or until a toothpick comes out clean. Allow to cool for about 10 minutes, then turn the cake out onto a cooling rack. Pull the waxed paper off the bottom.
Making the chocolate ganache:
- Break 4 ounces (113 g) semi-sweet chocolate into small pieces and place in a heatproof bowl.
- Heat ½ cup (114 g) whipping cream to a boil and pour half over the chocolate. Allow to sit doe 30 seconds to melt the chocolate. Stir in small circles, slowly, starting in the middle, and make bigger and bigger circles.
- Pour in the rest of the cream and stir until mixed in.
- Stir in 2 tablespoons (28 g) unsalted butter, room temperature (divided into 4 pieces) one piece at a time.
- Add ½ cup (46 g) sliced almonds and stir until mixed.
- Refrigerate until thickened–approximately 15-20 minutes.
- This will likely make more than you need, but I trust you have some spare graham crackers that could use something extra. 😉
Sweetened Whipped Cream
- Pour 1 cup (227 g) heavy whipping cream into a chilled mixing bowl and begin whipping the cream on low for one minute, then high for another minute.
- Add ¼ cup (30 g) confectioners’ sugar and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract. Continue to beat the whipped cream until fluffy and light.
Assembling the torte:
- Split the two cakes in half horizontally.
- Spread ganache on top of the first layer.
- Place the second layer of cake next and cover with whipped cream (or ganache if you prefer).
- Now place the third layer, more ganache, and finally, the fourth layer. Cover the top layer with sweetened whipping cream and garnish with chocolate curls, if desired.
- Chill at least a couple of hours before serving.
Notes
Nutrition
All images and text ©️ Paula Rhodes for Salad in a Jar.com
Paula Rhodes, owner
As a retired home economist, I created Saladinajar.com to share my belief that you don’t have to be a chef to find joy in creating homemade food worth sharing. Bread machines (used in an unconventional way), homemade yogurt, and quick microwave recipes are my specialty.