Herr Kerrs Torten Recipes

SACHER TORTE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Lightly butter a 9-inch springform pan; place a circle of parchment paper inside, and butter that as well.
• Melt 4 ounces of chocolate in a metal bowl placed over gently simmering water. Stir frequently until melted, then remove from the heat and let cool slightly.
• Beat the butter together with confectioners' sugar until creamy. Mix in the melted chocolate, then beat in the egg yolks, one at a time. In a clean bowl, beat egg whites with white sugar until stiff and glossy. Fold into chocolate mixture, then fold in cake flour, until incorporated. Pour into prepared springform pan, and smooth the top.
• Bake in the preheated oven until the edges begin to pull away from the sides of the pan, and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out dry, about 45 minutes. Cool pan on a wire rack for 15 minutes, then run a small knife around the edge and remove the sides of the pan. Allow cake to cool completely on the base of the pan. When cool, remove from pan, and remove parchment paper; slice cake in half horizontally.
• Bring 1/4 cup water and sugar to a boil in a small saucepan. When the sugar has dissolved and the syrup is clear, remove from heat and stir in 2 tablespoons rum. Brush 1/3 of the syrup onto the cut side of the cake bottom.
• Puree the apricot preserves with 1 tablespoon of water until smooth. Bring to a simmer over medium heat in a small saucepan, and cook until thickened, about 2 minutes. Stir in remaining rum, then spread 1/3 of the jam mixture onto the cut side of the cake bottom. Place the top of the cake onto the bottom. Brush the outside of the cake with the remaining syrup, then spread remaining apricot preserves over the top and sides; refrigerate until the icing is ready.
• To make the icing, melt 9 ounces of chocolate over a double boiler or in the microwave until smooth. Bring the cream to a simmer in a small saucepan, then stir into melted chocolate. Cool slightly, stirring often, until the chocolate reaches a spreadable consistency.
• Set the cake on a cooling rack set over a cookie sheet or waxed paper to catch any drips. Pour the icing on top of the cake, and spread around the edges; allow excess icing to drip through the rack. Cool cake to room temperature, then carefully remove from the cooling rack using a spatula. Transfer to a dessert plate and store in the refrigerator. Allow cake to come to room temperature before serving.

CHERRY TORTE

Steps:

• In a small bowl, combine flour and salt; cut in shortening until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Add enough water to shape dough into a ball. , On a lightly floured surface, roll dough to fit a 12-in. pizza pan. Flute edges; prick bottom and sides with a fork. Bake at 425° for 10-12 minutes or until lightly browned; remove from the oven. Reduce heat to 350°. , In a small bowl, beat the cream cheese, sugar, eggs and vanilla until smooth; spread over crust. Bake for 10-12 minutes or until center is set. Cool completely on a wire rack. , Combine pie filling and almond extract; spoon over the cream cheese layer. Spread whipped topping over filling. Chill until ready to serve. Sprinkle with pecans.

GERMAN PRINZREGENTEN TORTE ( EIGHT LAYER CAKE )

Steps:

• Cut 8 (8-inch) rounds from wax or parchment paper, grease, and place on greased baking sheets.
• TO MAKE THE CAKE: Cream together the 1 cup plus 2 tablespoons butter and 1 cup plus 2 tablespoons sugar.
• Beat in the eggs, one at a time, and stir in the vanilla extract.
• Sift together twice the flour, cornstarch, and baking powder and fold into the mixture.
• Divide the mixture into 8 equal portions and spread thinly into circles, as evenly as possible, on the wax paper rounds, to within 1 1/2 inches of the edges.
• Bake at 375ºF for about 7 minutes or until just lightly tinted.
• Carefully remove each batch as it is done and spread out on a board to cool while the rest are cooking.
• When all are cold, join together with the filling.
• Chill well and cover with the chocolate which has been melted over hot water.
• Decorate with rosettes of whipped cream and flaked chocolate.
• TO MAKE THE FILLING: Put the cocoa, cornstarch, and sugar into a mixing bowl and blend to a paste with some of the milk.
• Bring the remaining milk to the boiling point, add the cornstarch mixture, and stir over moderate heat until thickened.
• Put aside until lukewarm.
• Have the BUTTERS softened, mix them together, and beat until creamy.
• Gradually whip into the cornstarch cream.
• Allow to cool before using.
• Cooking for Family and Friends.