Yes, I'm down to the wire. Fortunately, this week's Tuesdays with Dorie recipe is perfect for that. Holly of PheMOMenon chose 15-Minute Magic--Chocolate Amaretti Torte for us to make this week. And I'm happy to report that it really did come together in a short amount of time. Unlike some of my blogging friends, I didn't actually time it. =) But even with Brianna helping, it was in the pan pretty quickly. And it didn't really tie up the oven for that long, either.
The ingredient list was fairly short, but did have one key thing that a number of people had trouble finding. Dorie recommends a specific brand of amaretti cookies, Amaretti di Saronno from D. Lazarroni & Co. Some people had a hard time finding amaretti at all, let alone those ones. Some people made their own. I am fortunate enough to have a great place to shop, and I was able to find the small version of the cookies. There was a spot on the shelf for the big ones, but it was empty.
Besides the amaretti, you just need chocolate, almonds, sugar, eggs and butter. And the batter comes together quickly in the food processor. It goes into a parchment lined 8-inch pan and is baked until cracked on top and the center is still moist but not wet--25 to 30 minutes (mine took 33). Once cooled, the torte gets a ganache glaze. I didn't quite follow the recipe there--I just made some ganache with 2 ounces each of bittersweet chocolate and heavy cream and added a bit of rum to it.
The verdict? Jamie really liked it, which I expected. I thought it was okay, but I'm not a big fan of almond flavor, and the amaretti are very strongly flavored. Since it was so late, I didn't chill the torte at all. I wonder if I might like it better cold. I'll have to let the girls try it tomorrow. Worst case, I'll keep some for Jamie and take the rest to work or to the teachers at the daycare. =)
To give the torte a try for yourself, head on over to Holly's blog for the recipe. And be sure to check out all the other wonderful variations on this week's cake by looking through the TWD blogroll.
Your torte looks really pretty! You might be surprised and like it more after it chills. I know for me it was a bit rich before it chilled and it's a bit better now that I've chilled it for a day!
ReplyDeleteIt looks delicious! I love the almonds on the cake :)
ReplyDeleteDarn, I'm sorry you didn't enjoy it more, I thought it was simply crazy delicious!
ReplyDeleteIt does look quite lovely though! ...and you also got to use the real cookies, which a lot could find! Lucky us... (but I really, really like the taste of them, just like a strait shot of Amaretto!!!) LOL
I hope you had a nice Easter, that you had the time to plan new projects ahead, get the feeling of renewal and of course... ate lots of chocolate!!! lol
Looks great! We liked it better cold, you probably will too.
ReplyDeleteYeah - you made it under the wire! I love that kind of high drama :-) I have to say Di, I was hoping that you would join us in the "Type A torte timing" camp. But I am sure that you know quick when you see it. Glad this was quick even with a child helper - now that is saying something. BTW - I liked this torte best not only cold, but frozen. Pinkstripes mentioned that it was great frozen, but I couldn't even believe it when I tried it that way. For me, it was the difference between "meh" and seriously loving the torte. Yours looks beautiful; of course, your desserts always do!
ReplyDeleteMany people said the torte was better cold. I never thought to try it that way, since no one liked it I ended up throwing it away.
ReplyDeleteI hate it when that happens!
Your torte looks fantastic. Yes, try it frozen. You'll love it!
ReplyDeleteOh, I am so happy you stopped by so that I could click and see if I missed your post this week, and I did! This was NOT the week to miss...I love the idea of those almonds around the edge of that torte...that looks so elegant and lovely. Thanks for the idea. I also love the package you made a photo of...it is so helpful to know what one is looking for, so I always love that! Fantastic looking torte! My guys would have that gone in a day, or at the most a day and a half!
ReplyDeleteWow, your torte looks beautiful! You'll have to let me know how you liked it cold or frozen (since mine didn't even make it to the "cooled" stage thanks to my oven mishap!)
ReplyDeleteDi! How did I miss your post? Your cake is beautiful and I'm hoping you enjoyed it a bit more when chilled. I don't think there's any good way to tone down the almond, but maybe if you ground a different nut? Gotta love that it was quick even if you can't actually tell us exactly how quick!!
ReplyDeleteNancy