Strawberry Hazelnut Torte Recipes

STRAWBERRY HAZELNUT TORTE

Steps:

• Place egg whites in a large bowl; let stand at room temperature for 30 minutes. Line a baking sheet with parchment. Trace two 8-in. circles 1/2 in. apart on the paper; set aside., Add vinegar, 1/2 teaspoon vanilla and salt to egg whites; beat until soft peaks form. Add sugar, 1 tablespoon at a time, beating until stiff peaks form. Spread over paper circles. Sprinkle with hazelnuts; cut through meringues with a knife to swirl nuts., Bake at 375° for 30-35 minutes or until the meringue and nuts are lightly browned. Cool on baking sheet. When completely cool, remove meringues from paper; store in an airtight container. In a microwave, melt chocolate and shortening; stir until smooth. Cool to room temperature., To assemble, place a meringue, flat side down, on a serving plate; spread with half of the melted chocolate. In a large bowl, beat cream until it begins to thicken. Add confectioners' sugar and remaining vanilla; beat until stiff peaks form. Spread half over chocolate layer. Arrange sliced strawberries over whipped cream., Spread flat side of remaining meringue with melted chocolate. Place chocolate side down over strawberries; spread with remaining whipped cream. Refrigerate for up to 4 hours before serving. Garnish with halved strawberries.

STRAWBERRY HAZELNUT TART

Steps:

• Heat oven to 190C/170 fan/gas 5. Tip the flour and ground hazelnuts into the food processor and add the butter. Process until it looks like fine crumbs, then add the sugar and mix briefly. Add the egg yolk and 1-2 tbsp cold water, then pulse to a firm dough.
• Knead the dough briefly on a lightly floured surface, then roll out and use to line a 23-24cm loose-based flan tin. Using a sharp knife, trim off the excess pastry, then chill for 15 mins. Line pastry case with a round of baking parchment and fill with baking beans. Bake for 15 mins, then remove the paper and beans and cook for a further 5-7 mins until the pastry is cooked and pale golden.
• Put the toffees and milk in a small pan and gently heat, stirring until the toffees have melted and you have a smooth glossy sauce. Set aside.
• Beat the mascarpone with the icing sugar to loosen it. Whip the cream until it just holds its shape, then fold into the mascarpone. Slice half the strawberries and mix into the cream. Remove the pastry case from the tin and set on a serving plate. Spread two-thirds of the toffee sauce over base, then spoon over the mascarpone.
• Slice the remaining strawberries and scatter over the filling. Drizzle the rest of the toffee sauce over the strawberries and sprinkle with the hazelnuts.

HAZELNUT, CHOCOLATE AND STRAWBERRY TORTE

Steps:

• for cake:
• Preheat oven to 375°F. Butter and flour 9-inch-diameter cake pan with 2-inch-high sides. Line bottom with parchment. Butter and flour parchment. Finely grind hazelnuts and 2 tablespoons sugar in processor. Place 2/3 cup ground-nut mixture in medium bowl; add flour and whisk to blend. Reserve remaining nut mixture for garnish.
• Using electric mixer, beat eggs and 2/3 cup sugar in large bowl until mixture is thick and slowly dissolving ribbon forms when beaters are lifted, about 8 minutes. Fold in flour mixture in 3 additions.
• Transfer batter to prepared pan. Bake cake until top is golden and tester inserted into center comes out clean, about 28 minutes. Transfer cake to rack. Cool in pan 10 minutes. Run small knife between pan sides and cake to loosen. Turn cake out onto rack; peel off parchment. Cool completely.
• for ganache:
• Bring cream to simmer in large saucepan. Remove from heat. Add chocolate and whisk until melted and smooth. Pour into 13x9x2-inch glass dish. Refrigerate until ganache thickens to spreadable consistency, stirring occasionally, about 1 hour 30 minutes (ganache will resemble thick pudding). Transfer 3/4 cup chocolate ganache to small bowl; set aside for garnish.
• Cut cake horizontally into 2 layers (layers will be thin). Place 1 cake layer, cut side up, on platter. Spread 1/2 cup chocolate ganache over. Arrange sliced strawberries in slightly overlapping concentric circles over ganache. Spread 1/2 cup ganache over cut side of second cake layer. Place cake layer atop strawberries, ganache side down, and press slightly to adhere. Spread remaining chocolate ganache over sides and top of cake. Gently press reserved ground hazelnuts onto sides of cake.
• Transfer reserved 3/4 cup ganache to pastry bag fitted with medium star tip. Pipe 8 rosettes around top edge of cake, spacing apart. (Can be prepared 1 day ahead. Cover with cake dome and refrigerate. Let stand at room temperature 1 hour before continuing.)
• Starting 1/3 inch from stem end of whole strawberries, thinly slice strawberries lengthwise to tip. Press slices slightly to fan. Place fanned berries between rosettes on cake. Garnish with additional toasted hazelnuts, if desired.