Hazelnut Chocolate Torte With Espresso Ganache Recipe

By
Yvonne Ruperti
A photo of Yvonne Ruperti, a contributing writer at Serious Eats.
Yvonne Ruperti
Yvonne Ruperti is a food writer, recipe developer, former bakery owner, and cookbook author. She is also an adjust professor of baking at the Culinary Institute of America in Singapore.
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Updated April 09, 2019
. Yvonne Ruperti

This super moist cake is full of ground toasted hazelnuts and swathed in a glossy dark espresso ganache. Panko crumbs and beaten egg whites keep the crumb from being dense.

Notes: When checking with a toothpick to see if the cake is done, look for no batter on the toothpick. This is a moist cake, so the toothpick may look wet, which is okay.

Recipe Details

Hazelnut Chocolate Torte With Espresso Ganache Recipe

Active 30 mins
Total 4 hrs
Serves 12 servings
Cook Mode (Keep screen awake)

Ingredients

  • 8 eggs, separated
  • 1 cup plus 2 tablespoons (8 ounces) granulated sugar, divided
  • 1 1/2 cups (7 1/2 ounces) toasted blanched hazelnuts
  • 1 tablespoon packed zest from 1 orange
  • 12 tablespoons (6 ounces) unsalted butter, softened
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 3/4 cup (2 ounces) panko crumbs
  • 6 ounces bittersweet chocolate, finely chopped
  • 1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons heavy cream
  • 1/2 teaspoon instant espresso powder

Directions

  1. Adjust oven rack to middle position and preheat oven to 350°F. Butter 9-inch springform pan. In food processor, pulse 1 cup sugar with hazelnuts until finely ground.

  2. In large bowl, whisk yolks, hazelnut mixture, zest, butter, salt, and vanilla until combined; set aside.

  3. Using mixer fitted with whip attachment, beat whites on medium-high speed to opaque. Slowly add remaining 2 tablespoons sugar and continue to beat to soft peaks. Fold meringue into hazelnut mixture, alternating with panko crumbs.

  4. Pour into pan and bake until center is just set and toothpick inserted into the middle comes out clean (see headnote), about 40 minutes. Let cake cool in pan for 15 minutes, then remove sides of pan and let cake cool completely before glazing.

  5. In heatproof bowl, heat chocolate with cream and espresso powder, until chocolate is melted and the mixture is smooth. Place cake on wire rack set in a rimmed baking sheet. Pour ganache over cake. Chill to set ganache. Serve.

Special equipment

9-inch springform pan, mixer, food processor

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