Viennese Linzertorte Cake Recipes

LINZERTORTE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spread hazelnuts in a single layer on a rimmed baking sheet; toast, stirring occasionally, until skins begin to split, about 15 minutes. Immediately rub hazelnuts vigorously in a clean kitchen towel to remove skins (as much as will come off easily). Let cool.
• In a food processor, pulse hazelnuts and almonds until finely ground. (Be careful not to overprocess; you don't want the mixture to become a paste.) In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, cinnamon, salt, and nut mixture; set aside.
• In bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Add egg yolk and beat 1 minute to combine. With mixer on low speed, add ground nuts and flour mixture all at once.
• Divide dough in half. Set a 10-inch fluted tart pan with a removable bottom on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Using your fingers, press 1 dough half into tart pan. Chill until firm, about 30 minutes. Meanwhile, roll remaining dough half between 2 sheets of parchment paper lightly dusted with flour to a 12-inch round; place on a baking sheet and chill until firm, about 30 minutes.
• Using an offset spatula, spread jam evenly over chilled dough in tart pan; set aside. Using a fluted pastry wheel, cut 3/4-inch-wide strips from chilled round of dough. Arrange strips on top of jam in a lattice pattern. Freeze until firm, about 30 minutes. Meanwhile, preheat oven to 350 degrees.
• Bake, rotating pan halfway through, until torte is golden brown all over, about 40 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack to cool 20 minutes. Remove ring and cool torte completely. Torte can be kept at room temperature, loosely covered in plastic wrap, for up to 3 days. When ready to serve, dust with confectioners' sugar, if using.

LINZER TORTE RECIPE (VIDEO)

Steps:

• Using the paddle attachment, cream the softened butter and sugar in a stand mixer, at a medium speed.
• Add the two egg whites and one egg yolk and continue to mix until fluffy. Next add vanilla, cinnamon, almond extract, ground cloves, salt, baking powder and mix it.
• Then add finely ground almonds and mix that in.
• Next, add the flour in two installments and mix it in. Increase the speed and knead the mixture into a smooth dough. The dough can also be made by hand.
• Divide the dough into two portions. One you can use for the classic Linzer torte. The other for the fancy version.(Tip: May wrap the portions with cling wrap and freeze to use later).
• Take one portion of the dough and cut out 2/5th (40%) of it.
• Roll it out into a circle, dusting with flour as needed. You can also roll out the dough between two sheets of wax paper.
• Cut narrow strips using a pizza cutter or a sharp knife. Refrigerate to allow the strips to firm up while proceeding with the next steps.
• Roll out the remaining 3/5th (60%) of the dough into a 10 inch circle, dusting the work surface with flour.
• Prepare a springform pan by lightly applying butter all over and lining it with a parchment paper circle in the bottom.
• Open the ring of the springform pan and transfer the dough circle using a floured cake lifter (or a flat lid) on to the base.
• Close the ring around the springform pan and using your fingers, press the dough about one inch up the sides of the pan.
• Take about half the jam and spread it out evenly on the dough circle.
• With the help of an offset spatula lay about four to five of the narrow strips over the jam, parallel and evenly spaced.
• Repeat with laying four more strips in the opposite direction to create a lattice pattern. If the strips break, just patch it up and it will bake fine. Trim the edges of the strips.
• Use the remaining strips to create a border at the outer edge of the Linzer torte, where the strips join the bottom crust. Seal the outer edge using a fork or spatula.
• Whisk the other egg yolk (add few drops milk if needed) and brush all over the pastry strips. Decorate the outer edge of the torte using almond slices.
• Take second portion of the dough and cut out about 2/5th (40%) of it.
• Roll it out into a circle, dusting with flour as needed. You can also roll out the dough between two wax papers for ease.
• Use small (1/2 to 1 inch) cookie cutters and cut out shapes of your preference. With the remaining dough, roll out rope shaped strips of 5 to 6 inches long.
• Proceed with the 3/5th part of the dough following steps 3 to 7.
• Arrange the cut out shapes evenly spaced over the jam layer.
• Use the rope shaped dough strips to create a border at the outer edge of the Linzer torte and flatten with a spatula.
• Whisk the other egg yolk (add few drops milk if needed) and brush all over the pastry strips. Decorate the outer edge of the torte using almond slices.
• Preheat oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Place the baking pan in the center of the oven and bake the Linzer torte for 25 to 35 minutes until golden brown.
• Remove from the oven and let it cool for some time. Using a butter knife or spatula loosen the torte from the pan, release the ring and let it cool completely.
• Dust with powdered sugar. It is best to slice and enjoy it the next day. This torte keeps well at room temperature for few days, but you may also refrigerate it for a week. It can also be frozen.