Chocolate Almond Meringue Torte Recipes

ALMOND MERINGUE & CHOCOLATE-RASPBERRY TORTE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 150ºC (300ºF). Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper. Draw two 8-in. (20-cm) circles on the first sheet of parchment. On the second sheet, draw a third 8-in. (20-cm) circle. Turn the parchment papers upside-down on the baking sheets; set aside.
• In a bowl, toss together ground almonds and flour; set aside. In another bowl, beat egg whites and salt with electric mixer on high speed to soft peaks. Gradually add the 1 ½ cups (375 mL) sugar, while beating to stiff peaks. Fold in ground almond mixture and vanilla.
• Spread one-third of almond meringue batter inside each drawn circle. Sprinkle batter with sliced almonds.
• Bake in upper and lower thirds of oven, rotating baking sheets halfway through. Bake 1 hr. to 1 hr. 15 min. until meringues are crisp and firm. Remove from oven; cool completely on baking sheet set on wire rack. (Note: Meringues can be made a day ahead and stored at room temperature for assembly next day.)
• Meanwhile, make ganache by placing dark chocolate in large heatproof bowl. Heat 1 cup (250 mL) cream in small saucepan set over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until just starting to simmer. Pour hot cream over the chocolate. Let stand 2 min. Whisk until smooth and chocolate is melted. Cool completely. (Note: Ganache can be made a day ahead and chilled. Gently warm on low heat in saucepan or microwave until spreadable. Do not boil.)
• For best results, assemble torte not more than 2 hr. ahead. Use electric mixer on high speed to beat remaining 2 cups (500 mL) cream to stiff peaks. Beat in icing sugar until just combined. Fold in 1 cup (250 mL) raspberries. Set aside.
• Place first meringue round on serving dish. Spread with ganache. Top with second meringue. Spread half the cream mixture overtop. Cap with third meringue.
• Melt white chocolate in microwave at 30-sec. intervals on MEDIUM until melted. One at a time, dip bottoms of profiteroles into the melted chocolate. Attach 16 profiteroles around edge of top meringue (or as many as will fit). You will not require all the profiteroles in the package.
• Mound remaining cream mixture in the centre; garnish with remaining raspberries. Dust with icing sugar.

CHOCOLATE-ALMOND MERINGUES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 250 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside. Place egg whites and cream of tartar in a clean, dry bowl of a stand mixer and beat until foamy. Add sugar and almond extract beat until meringues hold soft peaks, about 3 minutes. Fold in chocolate gently until just incorporated. Using a pastry bag or a sealable plastic bag with the corner snipped off, pipe meringue by the tablespoon onto cookie sheets. Bake for 40 minutes, then remove from oven and let cool completely before removing from parchment paper. Transfer to an airtight container.

CHOCOLATE-ALMOND TORTE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Toast the almonds on a baking sheet until lightly golden, 6 to 7 minutes. Cool slightly, then pulse in a food processor until finely ground, but not pasty.
• Melt 12 tablespoons butter and the chocolate in a heatproof bowl set over a saucepan of simmering water (do not let the bowl touch the water). Stir until the chocolate is smooth, then remove from the heat and cool slightly. Grease the bottom and sides of a 9-inch springform pan with butter and coat with the breadcrumbs, tapping out the excess.
• Set aside 2 tablespoons granulated sugar. Combine the 6 egg yolks and the remaining sugar in a stand mixer and beat with the paddle attachment on medium-high until thick and pale, about 3 minutes. Add the orange zest, rum and salt, then beat in the melted chocolate until smooth. Mix in the ground almonds until just combined.
• In a clean bowl, beat the 3 egg whites with a mixer until foamy. Gradually beat in the reserved 2 tablespoons granulated sugar on high speed until almost stiff. Stir one-third of the whites into the chocolate batter, then gently fold in the rest. Spread the batter in the prepared pan and bake until the top is firm and cracked (a toothpick inserted into the cake will be fudgy), 35 to 40 minutes. Cool on a rack 10 minutes, then run a knife around the edge of the pan and remove the ring. Serve warm or at room temperature. Garnish with confectioners' sugar and whipped cream, if desired.

ALMOND MERINGUE & CHOCOLATE-RASPBERRY TORTE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 150ºC (300ºF). Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper. Draw two 8-in. (20-cm) circles on the first sheet of parchment. On the second sheet, draw a third 8-in. (20-cm) circle. Turn the parchment papers upside-down on the baking sheets; set aside.
• In a bowl, toss together ground almonds and flour; set aside. In another bowl, beat egg whites and salt with electric mixer on high speed to soft peaks. Gradually add the 1 ½ cups (375 mL) sugar, while beating to stiff peaks. Fold in ground almond mixture and vanilla.
• Spread one-third of almond meringue batter inside each drawn circle. Sprinkle batter with sliced almonds.
• Bake in upper and lower thirds of oven, rotating baking sheets halfway through. Bake 1 hr. to 1 hr. 15 min. until meringues are crisp and firm. Remove from oven; cool completely on baking sheet set on wire rack. (Note: Meringues can be made a day ahead and stored at room temperature for assembly next day.)
• Meanwhile, make ganache by placing dark chocolate in large heatproof bowl. Heat 1 cup (250 mL) cream in small saucepan set over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until just starting to simmer. Pour hot cream over the chocolate. Let stand 2 min. Whisk until smooth and chocolate is melted. Cool completely. (Note: Ganache can be made a day ahead and chilled. Gently warm on low heat in saucepan or microwave until spreadable. Do not boil.)
• For best results, assemble torte not more than 2 hr. ahead. Use electric mixer on high speed to beat remaining 2 cups (500 mL) cream to stiff peaks. Beat in icing sugar until just combined. Fold in 1 cup (250 mL) raspberries. Set aside.
• Place first meringue round on serving dish. Spread with ganache. Top with second meringue. Spread half the cream mixture overtop. Cap with third meringue.
• Melt white chocolate in microwave at 30-sec. intervals on MEDIUM until melted. One at a time, dip bottoms of profiteroles into the melted chocolate. Attach 16 profiteroles around edge of top meringue (or as many as will fit). You will not require all the profiteroles in the package.
• Mound remaining cream mixture in the centre; garnish with remaining raspberries. Dust with icing sugar.

CHOCOLATE ALMOND MERINGUE TORTE

Steps:

• Pre-heat oven to 300°F.
• Set Ice Cream or Dairy-free frozen dessert out to soften slightly.
• Process first three ingredients until finely mixed.
• Whip egg whites and sugar to stiff peaks.
• Fold almond mix into the egg whites.
• Spread onto parchment-lined baking sheets, forming two circles, approximately 9" round and 1/4-1/2" thick.
• Bake until firm (check after 20 minutes). Cool.
• Set one meringue on a plate and spread soft ice cream over it. Top with second meringue and place in the freezer for 30 minutes.
• Heat Soy milk to a simmer, and pull off of the heat. Stir in finely chopped chocolate or chips. Stir vigorously until this mixture is thick, slightly cooled and glossy (about 5 minutes).
• Pour Chocolate sauce over frozen ice cream cake, sprinkle the edge with the almonds and place back in freezer until ready to serve.

CHOCOLATE MERINGUE TORTE

Steps:

• Line a baking sheet with parchment. Trace two 8-in. circles 1 in. apart on paper; set aside. Place egg whites in a large bowl; let stand at room temperature for 30 minutes. , Add cream of tartar; beat until soft peaks form. Sift confectioners' sugar and cocoa together 2 times; gently fold into batter. Fold in vanilla. Spread evenly over circles. , Bake at 275° for 1 hour. Turn oven off and do not open door; let meringues dry for 1 hour. , Remove from oven; cool on baking sheet. When completely cool, remove meringues from paper; store in an airtight container., In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add egg, then egg white, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat on high speed until light and fluffy. Beat in vinegar and vanilla. Combine the flour, cocoa and baking soda; add to batter alternately with buttermilk and water., Pour into two 9-in. round baking pans coated with cooking spray and floured. Bake at 350° for 20-25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes before removing from pans to wire racks. , Place one cake layer on a serving plate; spread 1/2 cup whipped topping over cake layer; top with a meringue and another 1/2 cup topping. Top with second cake layer, 1/2 cup topping, second meringue and remaining topping. Sprinkle with toffee bits and shaved chocolate.

CHOCOLATE MERINGUE TORTE

Steps:

• Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Trace two 8-in. circles 1 in. apart on paper; set aside. In a mixing bowl, beat egg whites and cream of tartar until soft peaks form. Sift confectioners' sugar and cocoa over meringue; gently fold in. Fold in vanilla. Spread evenly over circles. Bake at 275 degrees F for 1 hour. Turn oven off and do not open door; let meringues dry for 1 hour. Remove from oven; cool on baking sheet. When completely cool, remove meringues from paper; store in an airtight container.
• In a mixing bowl, cream butter and sugar for 2 minutes. Add egg, then egg white, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat on high speed until light and fluffy. Stir in vinegar and vanilla. Combine flour, cocoa and baking soda; add to batter alternately with buttermilk and water.
• Pour into two 9-in. round baking pans coated with nonstick cooking spray and floured. Bake at 350 degrees F for 20-25 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes before removing from pans to wire racks. To assemble, spread 1/2 cup whipped topping over one cake layer; top with a meringue and another 1/2 cup topping. Top with second cake layer, 1/2 cup topping, second meringue and remaining topping. Sprinkle with toffee bits and shaved chocolate.

ALMOND CHOCOLATE TORTE

Steps:

• Set aside 1 tablespoon almonds for garnish. Chop remaining almonds; sprinkle into a greased 9-in. springform pan. In a microwave, melt chocolate; stir until smooth. Cool slightly. , In a large bowl, beat cream cheese and sugar until smooth. Meanwhile, in a small saucepan, sprinkle gelatin over cold water; let stand for 1 minute. Cook and stir over low heat until gelatin is completely dissolved. Beat into cream cheese mixture. Beat in melted chocolate until smooth. Fold in whipped cream. , Pour into prepared pan. Sprinkle with reserved almonds. Cover and refrigerate for at least 3 hours.

CHOCOLATE-ALMOND TORTE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°F. Butter 9-inch-diameter springform pan with 2 3/4-inch- high sides. Combine chocolate, almonds and 1 cup sugar in processor. Process until all ingredients are very finely chopped and mixture appears grainy. Using electric mixer, beat yolks and vanilla in large bowl until pale yellow and thickened, about 3 minutes. Add chocolate mixture to yolk mixture and fold together (mixture will be very thick). Using mixer fitted with clean beaters, beat egg whites and cream of tartar in another large bowl to stiff peaks. Fold whites into batter in 3 additions.
• Pour batter into cake pan. Bake until top is golden and tester inserted into center comes out clean, about 45 minutes. Transfer cake to rack and cool. (Can be made 1 day ahead. Cover and let stand at room temperature.) Run knife around pan sides to loosen cake. Release pan sides. Transfer cake to platter. Sift powdered sugar over cake. Top with chocolate curls, if desired. Serve with ice cream.

CHOCOLATE MERINGUE TORTE

Steps:

• Line a baking sheet with parchment paper; trace two 8-inch circles 1 inch apart on the paper; set aside.
• In a mixing bowl, beat egg whites and cream of tartar until soft peaks form. Add sugar one tablespoon at a time, beating until stiff peaks form. Sift confectioners' sugar and cocoa over meringue; gently fold inches Fold in vanilla. Spread evenly over circles. Bake at 275°F for 1 hour.
• Turn oven off and do not open door; Let meringues dry for 1 hour. Remove meringues from paper and store in an airtight container.
• In a mixing bowl, cream butter and sugar for 2 minutes. Add egg, then egg white, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat on high speed until light and fluffy. Stir in vinegar and vanilla. Combine flour, cocoa, and baking soda; add to batter alternately with buttermilk and water. Pour into two 9-inch round baking pans coated with nonstick cooking spray and floured. Bake at 350°F for 20-25 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes before removing from pans to wire racks.
• To assemble, spread 1/2 cup whipped topping over one cake layer; top with a meringue and another 1/2 cup topping. Top with second cake layer, 1/2 cup topping, second meringue, and remaining topping. Sprinkle with toffee bits and shaved chocolate.

ALMOND MERINGUE TORTE WITH PRALINE BUTTERCREAM

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°F. and butter and flour two 8- or 9-inch round cake pans, knocking out excess flour.
• Make meringue layers:
• In a bowl with an electric mixer beat whites until they hold soft peaks. Add sugar in a slow stream, beating until meringue holds stiff, glossy peaks. Fold in almonds and sift flour over meringue. Fold in flour gently but thoroughly and divide meringue between cake pans, smoothing it evenly. Bake layers in middle of oven 30 to 35 minutes, or until pale golden and firm to the touch. Invert layers onto racks and cool.
• Make praline:
• Line a baking sheet with foil.
• In a dry heavy saucepan cook sugar over moderate heat, stirring with a fork, until melted and cook, without stirring, swirling pan, until a golden caramel. Remove pan from heat and stir in almonds and hazelnuts. Immediately pour mixture onto baking sheet tilting baking sheet to make a thin layer and cool completely. Break praline into pieces and transfer to a plastic bag. Crush praline coarse with a rolling pin. Praline may be made 1 week ahead and kept in an airtight container at room temperature.
• Make buttercream:
• In a small heavy saucepan simmer milk, sugar, and vanilla bean if using, stirring, until sugar is dissolved. In a bowl whisk yolks and add milk mixture in a stream, whisking. Transfer mixture to pan and cook over low heat, stirring, until a candy thermometer registers 170°F. Pour mixture through a fine sieve into another bowl and cool completely. In a bowl with an electric mixer beat butter until light and fluffy and beat in custard, a little at a time, until smooth. Beat in 1/2 cup praline (reserving remaining praline for another use) and vanilla extract if using.
• Assemble torte:
• Stack meringue layers, spreading some buttercream generously between them. Spread remaining buttercream on top and side of torte. Press chopped toasted almonds onto top and side of torte and sprinkle top with confectioners' sugar. Torte may be made 1 day ahead and chilled, covered. Let torte stand at cool room temperature 2 hours before serving.

FLOURLESS CHOCOLATE-ALMOND TORTE WITH CHERRY PRESERVES AND KIRSCH MERINGUE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Make the cake: Butter a 9-inch springform pan. Whisk together cocoa and boiling water until cocoa dissolves and mixture is smooth. Stir in kirsch.
• Beat butter and 1 cup sugar with a mixer on medium speed until pale and fluffy. Beat in egg yolks, 1 at a time, scraping down sides of bowl between additions. Add cocoa mixture and almonds, and beat until combined. Transfer to a large bowl.
• Whisk egg whites and 1/2 teaspoon salt in the clean bowl of a mixer on medium-high speed until soft peaks form. With machine running, add remaining 2 tablespoons sugar, and whisk until stiff peaks form. Fold one-quarter of the whites into batter, then fold in remaining whites.
• Pour batter into pan, and transfer to a baking sheet. Bake for 30 minutes. Remove from oven, and cover cake with parchment-lined foil. Bake until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, about 30 minutes more. Transfer to a wire rack, and let cool for 45 minutes. Run a knife or an offset spatula around edge of cake to loosen, and release sides of pan to remove.
• Make the meringue: Whisk egg whites and sugar in a clean heatproof bowl of a mixer set over a pan of simmering water until sugar dissolves and mixture is hot to the touch, about 3 minutes. Whisk on medium speed until soft peaks form. Whisk in kirsch. Whisk until stiff peaks form.
• Spread cherry preserves on top of cake. Spread meringue over preserves using an offset spatula, making decorative swirls. Caramelize peaks of meringue using a handheld kitchen torch or under the broiler.