-CAKE LAYERS-
1 c Walnuts
1 c Cake flour; (not
-self-rising)
1 1/2 ts Baking powder
1 ts Instant espresso powder
1 tb Boiling-hot water
1 1/2 Sticks; (1/8 cup) unsalted
-butter, softened
3/4 c Sugar
3 lg Eggs
1 1/2 tb Vegetable oil
6 oz Cream cheese; softened
5 tb Pure maple syrup
-MERINGUE FROSTING-
2 lg Egg whites
1 c Pure maple syrup
1/4 ts Cream of tartar
Make cake layers: Preheat oven to 350 F. and butter and flour two 8-inch
round cake pans, knocking out excess flour.
On a baking sheet toast walnuts in middle of oven until 1 shade darker,
about 8 minutes, and cool. In a food processor grind walnuts fine.
Into a bowl sift together flour, baking powder, and a pinch salt. In a
small cup stir together espresso powder and water. In a large bowl with an
electric mixer beat together butter and sugar until light and fluffy and
add eggs, 1 at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in flour
mixture, espresso, walnuts, and oil until just combined.
Spoon batter into cake pans, smoothing tops, and bake in middle of oven
about 25 minutes, or until pale golden and a tester comes out clean. Cool
cake layers in pans on a rack 15 minutes. Run a thin knife around edges of
pans and invert cake layers onto rack to cool completely.
In a small bowl beat together cream cheese and 2 tablespoons maple syrup
until smooth.
Assemble torte: Arrange 1 cake layer on an ovenproof serving plate and with
a pastry brush gently brush top with 1 1/2 tablespoons maple syrup. Spread
cream cheese mixture evenly onto layer and top with remaining layer. Brush
top of torte with remaining 1 1/2 tablespoons maple syrup. Torte may be
prepared up to this point 2 days ahead and chilled, covered. Bring torte to
room temperature before proceeding.
Make frosting: Let whites stand at room temperature 1 hour. In a 1-quart
heavy saucepan bring maple syrup to a boil over moderate heat and simmer
until a candy thermometer registers 235 F. (be careful it doesn? bubble
over).
While maple syrup is simmering, in bowl of a standing electric mixer beat
whites with cream of tartar and a pinch salt until they just hold stiff
peaks. Add hot maple syrup in a stream, beating until meringue is thickened
and glossy, 1 to 2 minutes.
Preheat broiler.
Immediately frost torte with a narrow metal spatula, mounding extra
meringue on top and drawing it up with a fork to form peaks (see
photograph, page 111). Broil torte about 4 inches from heat until tops of
peaks are pale golden, about 30 seconds. Let torte stand at room
temperature 15 minutes before serving.
Makes 1 torte.
Yields
1 Servings