Luscious and rich bourbon torte is loaded with chocolate, chestnuts, and pecans. This is a killer cake to show off for company or a special occasion.
Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Ingredients:
- 6 eggs, separated, plus 2 egg yolks
- 1-1/2 cups sugar plus 1/3 cup
- 4 Tablespoons Bourbon plus 2 teaspoons
- 2-1/2 cups pureed unsweetend chestnuts
- 3/4 cup ground pecans plus pecan pieces for garnish
- 2 teaspoons instant coffee
- 6 Tablespoons chilled butter cut into pieces
- 1-1/2 ounces bitter chocolate, chopped
- 3/4 pound bittersweet chocolate
- 3-1/2 cups whipping cream
- 1/2 cup confectioners' sugar
Preparation:
Make the cake:Heat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease and flour two nine-inch cake pans. Beat 6 egg yolks well. Stir in 1-1/2 cups sugar and 1-1/2 teaspoons bourbon, then blend in 2 cups chestnut puree. Stir in ground pecans. Whip egg whites with a pinch of salt until stiff. Fold whites into batter. Divide mixture between the two cake pans and bake for 25 minutes. Cool on a cake rack, then remove from the pans.
Make the filling:
Beat the 2 egg yolks with 1/2 cup of sugar. Add instant coffee and 1 tablespoon hot water. Beat chilled butter into mixture, then add 1/2 teaspoon bourbon and stir in remaining 1/2 cup chestnut puree. Stir in chopped bitter chocolate. Cover bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate.
Melt bittersweet chocolate with heavy cream over low heat. Stir in 2 tablespoon bourbon, transfer to a bowl, cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate.
To assemble cake:
Spread the chilled chestnut filling atop one cake layer and cover with the other. Cover the torte with the chocolate icing and sprinkle with chopped pecan pieces. Chill before serving. Meanwhile, prepare a bourbon chantilly to pass at the table: Whip the 2 cups of cream to soft peaks, gradually beat in the confectioners' sugar and then fold in 2 tablespoons of bourbon.
Yield: 10 servings
Recipe Source: Caterers and restaurant owners Cathy and Will Cary
Reprinted with permission.
