November 9, 2007, Newsletter Issue #199: Raspberry Walnut Torte

Tip of the Week

This fabulous cake will be an instant hit with your guests. Store it in the refrigerator, but remove it about half an hour before serving so the texture is perfect.

1-3/4 cups flour
2 tsp. baking powder
1/4 tsp. salt
1 cup ground walnuts
1-1/2 cups whipping cream
1-1/2 cups sugar
3 tsp. vanilla
3 eggs


In medium bowl, combine flour, baking powder, salt, and ground walnuts. Stir well to mix. In a small bowl, beat the whipping cream until stiff peaks form and set aside. In large bowl, beat together sugar, vanilla and eggs for 5 minutes at highest speed, until light and fluffy.

Alternately fold dry ingredients and the whipped cream into the egg mixture. Begin and end with the flour mixture, and treat the batter very carefully.

Grease and flour 2 9" round cake pans and pour the batter evenly into the pans. Bake at 350 degrees for 25-30 minutes or until top springs back when touched, and cake layers begin to pull away from edges of pan. Cool 15 minutes, then remove layers from pans and cool completely.

Frosting

8 oz. pkg. cream cheese, softened
1/4 cup butter, softened
4 cups powdered sugar
1/2 cup whipping cream
1/8 tsp. salt
2 tsp. vanilla


In large bowl, beat all frosting ingredients until light and fluffy, scraping sides of bowl often.

12 oz. jar seedless raspberry preserves


Now split each layer of the cake in half. To do this, place toothpicks around each layer, sticking out around the edge, to mark the halfway point. Using a serrated knife, carefully cut the cake layers in half. You will then have four layers. HereŽs a new trick I learned from Martha (you know who I mean!). To transfer the delicate layers, carefully slide a very thin cookie sheet, without edges, in between the cut layers. Then slide it onto the serving plate.

Place the bottom half of one layer on the serving place and spread with 1 cup frosting. Top with top half of that cake layer and spread with 1/2 cup raspberry preserves. Repeat with third and four layers, topping with frosting and raspberry preserves, respectively, reassembling the layers back in their original form. Then frost the sides of the cake with the remaining frosting. If you like, you can pipe frosting in a decorative pattern on top of the preserves that top the cake. Store in refrigerator.

Okay, now that you are thoroughly threatened by this recipe, there is an easier way! DonŽt cut the cake layers in half. Simply fill with raspberry preserves, then frost top and sides with the cream cheese frosting - pile it on. YouŽll still have a wonderful cake, with less work

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