Vienna Torte Recipes

Steps:

• Cream butter well, then add sugar gradually, beating hard after each addition. Beat in eggs, one at a time.
• Sift together flour, baking powder, and cardamom. Add small amount to creamed mixture. Mix in cream and almond extract. Now work in as much flour as possible.
• Turn out onto pastry cloth and knead in any remaining flour. Divide dough into 5 parts and pat each part into a 9-inch greased layer pan. Bake at 375 until delicate brown.
• To assemble filling: Put prunes through food processor or mill, then add sugar, prune liquid and cinnamon. Cook until thickened, then add vanilla.
• Let cool, and then spread between layers of torte.
• Top cake with a thin layer of vanilla icing. Let the torte stand for a couple of days before serving to allow the cake to soften. Serve in small slices.

Steps:

• Make the cake: Whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl. Beat butter and granulated sugar with a mixer on medium speed until pale and fluffy. With machine running, add eggs, 1 at a time, mixing well after each addition. Mix in vanilla.
• Reduce speed to low. Working in batches, add flour mixture to butter mixture, alternating once with milk, beginning and ending with flour. Mix until dough is smooth. Refrigerate for 30 minutes.
• Make the filling: Combine prunes and water in a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer until prunes are tender, about 15 minutes. Strain, reserving liquid. Coarsely chop prunes in a food processor, and return to saucepan with reserved liquid and the granulated sugar. Cook over medium heat until mixture is thick, about 15 minutes. Add vanilla, salt, and cardamom. Refrigerate until slightly firm, about 30 minutes.
• Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Turn out dough onto a lightly floured surface. Divide into 7 equal pieces (about 6 ounces each). Roll each piece into a 10-inch round, and cut into a 9-inch circle using the bottom of a 9-inch cake pan as your guide. Place 1 dough circle on a baking sheet, and bake until edges are golden, about 14 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack, and let cool. Repeat with remaining 6 dough circles.
• To assemble: Spread about 3/4 cup prune filling evenly onto 1 cake circle. Top with another circle, and continue until all 7 layers have been assembled (do not put filling on top layer). Wrap in plastic; let stand overnight.
• Dust cake with confectioners' sugar. Cut into quarters, then horizontally into 1/2-inch-thick slices.

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line three 9-inch round cake pans with waxed paper, then grease the waxed paper.
• Sift flour with cocoa powder, baking powder and salt. Set aside.
• In a small mixing bowl, combine 3/4 cup butter, 3/4 cup sugar and 6 egg yolks. On high speed of an electric mixer, beat until light and fluffy. Stir in 1 tablespoon vanilla.
• Add flour mixture alternately with milk, beginning and ending with flour. Spread batter into the prepared pans, dividing evenly; set aside.
• In a clean bowl with clean beaters, beat 6 egg whites until soft peaks form. Gradually beat in remaining 1 cup sugar; beat until stiff but not dry. Dividing evenly, spread meringue over the batter in each pan.
• Bake for 30-35 minutes or until cake is done and meringue is lightly browned. Let cool in pans 10 minutes. Carefully remove from pans; peel off paper. Cool layers completely on wire racks, meringue side up.
• Meanwhile, prepare orange curd: In the top of a double boiler, stir together 1/2 cup sugar and cornstarch. Stir in water, orange juice and orange zest. Blend in 4 beaten egg yolks.
• Cook over hot (not boiling) water, stirring constantly, until mixture thickens, about 8 minutes. Remove from heat. Stir in 2 teaspoons vanilla. Cover with waxed paper; let cool completely.
• To assemble: Place a cake layer, meringue side up, on a cake plate. Spread a third of the orange curd over the meringue. Repeat twice, using remaining layers and curd. Garnish with whipped cream and sliced almonds, if desired.
• Note: If desired, replace 1 tablespoon of orange juice with 1 tablespoon orange liqueur.