Best Almond Torte Recipes

ALMOND TORTE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Cut a piece of wax or parchment paper to fit the bottom of an 8-inch round cake pan. Coat pan with nonstick spray, place prepared paper round in bottom of pan, and spray paper. Sprinkle evenly with 1/4 cup almonds.
• In a food processor, process remaining 1 1/2 cups almonds with 3/4 cup confectioners' sugar until finely ground; set aside.
• In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, beat egg whites with salt until soft peaks form. Gradually add remaining 2 tablespoons of confectioners' sugar and beat until stiff glossy peaks form. Beat in almond extract. In three additions, gently fold in ground almond mixture.
• Evenly spread batter into prepared pan, tapping pan on counter to expel large air bubbles. Bake until golden brown and firm in center, 40 to 45 minutes; cool completely in pan. Invert onto serving plate, and remove wax or parchment paper.

FLOURLESS CHOCOLATE-ALMOND TORTE WITH CHERRY PRESERVES AND KIRSCH MERINGUE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Make the cake: Butter a 9-inch springform pan. Whisk together cocoa and boiling water until cocoa dissolves and mixture is smooth. Stir in kirsch.
• Beat butter and 1 cup sugar with a mixer on medium speed until pale and fluffy. Beat in egg yolks, 1 at a time, scraping down sides of bowl between additions. Add cocoa mixture and almonds, and beat until combined. Transfer to a large bowl.
• Whisk egg whites and 1/2 teaspoon salt in the clean bowl of a mixer on medium-high speed until soft peaks form. With machine running, add remaining 2 tablespoons sugar, and whisk until stiff peaks form. Fold one-quarter of the whites into batter, then fold in remaining whites.
• Pour batter into pan, and transfer to a baking sheet. Bake for 30 minutes. Remove from oven, and cover cake with parchment-lined foil. Bake until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, about 30 minutes more. Transfer to a wire rack, and let cool for 45 minutes. Run a knife or an offset spatula around edge of cake to loosen, and release sides of pan to remove.
• Make the meringue: Whisk egg whites and sugar in a clean heatproof bowl of a mixer set over a pan of simmering water until sugar dissolves and mixture is hot to the touch, about 3 minutes. Whisk on medium speed until soft peaks form. Whisk in kirsch. Whisk until stiff peaks form.
• Spread cherry preserves on top of cake. Spread meringue over preserves using an offset spatula, making decorative swirls. Caramelize peaks of meringue using a handheld kitchen torch or under the broiler.

PASSOVER DOUBLE CHOCOLATE ALMOND TORTE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
• Grease a 9-inch springform pan and dust with 1/2 teaspoon unsweetened cocoa powder.
• Melt chopped chocolate squares and butter in a heavy saucepan over low heat, stirring until smooth, 5 to 10 minutes.
• Whisk egg yolks and vanilla extract together in a large bowl.
• Gradually whisk chocolate and butter mixture into egg yolk mixture until well blended.
• Beat egg whites in a separate bowl with an electric mixer on high speed until soft peaks form. Gradually beat sugar into egg whites until sugar dissolves and egg whites hold stiff peaks.
• Fold 1/3 of the egg white mixture into chocolate mixture. Gently fold in remaining egg white mixture until just blended and batter is smooth and fluffy.
• Spread batter evenly into prepared springform pan.
• Bake in the preheated oven until sides begin to pull away from pan and top is set in center, about 25 minutes.
• Let torte cool in pan on a wire rack for 10 minutes before removing the sides of pan.
• Place chocolate chips into a microwave-safe bowl and heat in microwave on full power for 1 minute. Stir the chips. Continue to heat in 15-second intervals, stirring after each time, until the chocolate chips have melted and are warm and smooth. Do not overheat.
• Drizzle melted chocolate chips onto torte. Sprinkle crushed almonds and a dusting of confectioners' sugar and 1/2 teaspoon unsweetened cocoa powder, or as needed, onto the torte before serving..

FROZEN PEACH TORTE WITH ALMOND CRUST

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375°F. Coarsely chop nuts with brown sugar, flour and salt in processor. Add butter; process until nuts are finely chopped. Press half of mixture over bottom of 9-inch diameter spring-form pan with 2 3/4-inch-high sides. Press remaining half of mixture over bottom of 9-inch-diameter cake pan. Bake until crusts are golden, about 20 minutes. Transfer to racks; cool completely. Break crust in cake pan into crumbs.
• Place 1 tablespoon water in small bowl. Sprinkle gelatin over; let stand until gelatin softens, about 10 minutes. Whisk yolks, sugar, kirsch and 3 tablespoons water in medium metal bowl until blended. Set bowl over saucepan of simmering water; whisk constantly until mixture registers 160° on candy thermometer, about 4 minutes. Remove bowl from over water. Add gelatin, then white chocolate and whisk until gelatin dissolves and chocolate melts. Let stand until mixture is cool but not set, whisking occasionally, about 10 minutes. Beat cream in large bowl until soft peaks form. Fold yolk mixture into cream.
• Spread 1/3 of mousse over crust in springform pan. Sprinkle half of chopped peaches over. Sprinkle half of crumbs over peaches. Drop 1/3 of mousse by tablespoonfuls over peaches, spacing evenly. Spread mousse carefully over, covering crumbs. Sprinkle with remaining chopped peaches and crumbs. Carefully spread remaining mousse evenly over. Cover and freeze overnight. (Can be made 3 days ahead. keep frozen.)
• Mix peach slices and powdered sugar in medium bowl. Let stand 15 minutes. Using knife, cut around pan sides to loosen torte. Release pan sides; transfer torte to platter. Arrange peaches in concentric circles atop torte. Let stand at room temperature 30 minutes and serve.

APRICOT ALMOND TORTE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°. In a large bowl, beat eggs, sugar and vanilla on high speed until thick and lemon-colored. Combine flour, almonds, baking powder and salt; gradually fold into egg mixture alternately with the whipped cream., Transfer to two greased and floured 9-in. round baking pans. Bake 22-28 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool 10 minutes before removing from pans to wire racks to cool completely., In a large bowl, beat cream cheese, sugar and salt until smooth. Beat in extract. Fold in whipped cream., Cut each cake horizontally into two layers. Place bottom layer on a serving plate; spread with 1 cup frosting. Top with another cake layer; spread with half the preserves. Repeat layers. Frost sides of cake; decorate the top edge with remaining frosting. Sprinkle with almonds.

ALMOND RASPBERRY CHOCOLATE TORTE

Steps:

• Prepare 2 8 inch cake pan by greasing with butter apply wax paper to pan then butter again.
• Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
• Beat egg white and cream of tartar using clean, dry and oil free bowl and beaters till soft peaks form set aside.
• Beat egg yolks, sugar and vanilla in a large mixing bowl tat high speed for 3 minutes. Beat in 3/4 of the can of almond filling and the almond liquor to the yolk mixture. Sift the sifted flour, baking powder and salt together; add to the yolk mixture and beat till just combined.
• Gentle fold in the egg whites thoroughly into the batter.
• Pour into the pans and bake for 20 minutes.
• Cool 5 minutes and remove to a rack removing the wax paper.
• Spread jam equally on the 2 cakes.
• Cool completely.
• Melt 3 ounces of chocolate with 2 tablespoons cream stir to mix in well.
• Spread gently over the raspberry layers.
• Beat whipping cream with chilled clan beaters till stiff peaks form.
• Remove 1 cup whipped cream, adding the remaining almond filling to the 1 cup of cream.
• Place the filling on the chocolate layer and freeze for 20 minutes.
• Place the other layer chocolate side down on to the filling,.
• Spread the remaining whipped cream on the sides and top of cake.
• Coat the sides with the toasted almonds.
• Make Chocolate curls by shaving the remaining chocolate with a vegetable peeler.
• Top cake with curls or raspberries.

ALMOND AND RASPBERRY TORTE

Steps:

• Butter the cake pan, line the base with waxed or parchment paper, and then butter and flour it. Wash the raspberries, dry them on paper towels, and then snip off the blossom ends and stems. Sift together the flour, baking powder and salt. Heat the oven to 350 degrees. Cream the butter until smooth in an electric mixer. Add the sugar and continue to beat until soft and light, 2 to 3 minutes. Beat in the egg until well mixed, about 1 minute. Stir in the ground almonds by hand, followed by the flour mixture. Expect the batter to be quite stiff. Spread half the batter in the cake pan. Sprinkle the fruit on top and dot with the remaining batter so the fruit is almost covered. Bake until the torte starts to shrink from the sides of the pan and the top is firm when lightly pressed with a fingertip, 45 to 55 minutes. The top will be rustic looking, like a crumble. Let the torte cool for 10 to 15 minutes in the pan, then loosen the sides and slide the torte onto a rack to cool completely. Sprinkle it with confectioners' sugar and serve it warm or at room temperature.

CHOCOLATE ALMOND TORTE (TORTA CAPRESE)

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350° F. and butter a 10-inch cake pan. Line bottom of pan with a round of wax paper and butter paper.
• Melt butter and cool. In a food processor finely grind together almonds and chocolate. Separate eggs.
• In a bowl with an electric mixer beat yolks with granulated sugar until very thick and pale and beat in almond mixture and butter.
• In another bowl with cleaned beaters beat whites with a pinch salt until they just hold stiff peaks and whisk one fourth into almond mixture. Fold in remaining whites gently but thoroughly and spread batter evenly in pan.
• Bake torte in middle of oven 50 minutes, or until it begins to pull away from side of pan and a tester comes out with moist crumbs adhering. Cool torte on a rack 5 minutes and invert onto another rack. Discard wax paper and cool torte completely. Invert torte onto a plate. Torte may be made 1 day ahead and kept, wrapped well in plastic wrap, at room temperature.
• Dust torte with confectioners' sugar and serve with whipped cream.

CHOCOLATE-ALMOND SOUFFLé TORTE

Steps:

• Position rack in center of oven and preheat to 350°F. Butter and flour 9-inch-diameter springform pan with 2 3/4-inch-high sides. Shake out excess flour. Line bottom of pan with parchment paper; butter paper.
• Combine 1/2 cup whole almonds and 2 tablespoons sugar in processor. Using on/off turns, grind nuts finely. Transfer mixture to large bowl. Combine remaining 1/2 cup whole almonds and vegetable oil in processor. Process until mixture is thick and pasty (consistency will be similar to that of peanut butter), scraping bowl frequently, about 3 minutes.
• Stir butter and 1/2 cup whipping cream in heavy large saucepan over medium heat until butter melts and mixture simmers. Remove from heat. Add chocolate and whisk until smooth. Stir in both almond mixtures. Cool slightly.
• Using electric mixer, beat egg whites in large bowl until soft peaks form. Gradually add 1/3 cup sugar and beat until stiff peaks form. Beat egg yolks in another large bowl until very pale and thick, about 5 minutes. Gradually beat chocolate mixture into egg yolks. Fold in egg whites in 3 additions.
• Pour batter into prepared pan. Bake cake until sides crack and puff and tester inserted into center comes out with moist batter attached, about 35 minutes. Transfer cake to rack. Cool cake to room temperature, about 2 hours (center will fall slightly as cake cools.) (Can be prepared 4 days ahead. Cover and refrigerate.)
• Beat chilled cream, amaretto and remaining 2 tablespoons sugar in large bowl until soft peaks form.
• Run small sharp knife around pan sides to loosen cake. Release pan sides. Dust cake with powdered sugar. Sprinkle toasted almond slices around top edge of cake. Serve chilled or at room temperature with whipped cream.

ALMOND TORTE

Steps:

• In a double boiler or metal bowl over simmering water, constantly whisk the sugar, cornstarch, sour cream and egg yolks until mixture reaches 160° or is thick enough to coat the back of a spoon. , Remove from the heat; stir in butter and extracts until blended. Press waxed paper onto surface of custard. Refrigerate for several hours or overnight., Place egg whites in a large bowl; let stand at room temperature for 30 minutes. Line two 8-in. round baking pans with waxed paper. Coat sides and paper with cooking spray; sprinkle with flour and set aside., In a large bowl, beat butter and 1/2 cup sugar until blended, about 2 minutes. Add egg yolks; mix well. Beat in the milk, applesauce and vanilla (mixture may appear curdled). Combine the flour, baking powder and salt; add to butter mixture. Transfer to prepared pans; set aside., Using clean beaters, beat egg whites on medium speed until soft peaks form. Gradually beat in remaining sugar, 2 tablespoons at a time, on high until stiff glossy peaks form and sugar is dissolved. Spread evenly over batter; sprinkle with almonds and cinnamon., Bake at 350° for 25-30 minutes or until meringue is lightly browned. Cool in pans on wire racks for 10 minutes (meringue will crack). Loosen edges of cakes from pans with a knife. Using 2 large spatulas, carefully remove 1 cake to a serving plate, meringue side up; remove remaining cake to a wire rack, meringue side up. Cool cakes completely., Carefully spread custard over cake on serving plate; top with remaining cake. Store in the refrigerator.

1989 CHOCOLATE RASPBERRY ALMOND TORTE

Steps:

• In a food processor grind the almonds, scraping the bowl occasionally, for 5 minutes, or until they are the consistency of a nut butter, and reserve the mixture. In a bowl set over a saucepan of barely simmering water melt the chocolate and the butter, stirring occasionally, and remove the bowl from the pan. In the large bowl of an electric mixer beat the eggs until they are pale, add the sugar gradually, beating, and beat the mixture until it is very thick and pale. Beat in the chocolate mixture, the framboise, and the reserved almond butter and beat the mixture until it is combined well. Into the bowl sift together the flour, the baking powder, and the salt, beat the mixture until it is combined well, and fold in 1 cup of the raspberries gently. Turn the mixture into a well-buttered 8 1/2-inch springform pan, spreading it evenly and smoothing the top, and bake the torte in the middle of a preheated 350°F. oven for 40 to 45 minutes, or until a tester comes out clean. let the torte cool in the pan on a rack and remove the side of the pan.
• Make the glaze:
• In a small heavy saucepan combine the jam and the sugar, bring the mixture to a boil, stirring, and boil it, stirring, for 3 minutes. Force the mixture through a fine sieve into a small bowl, pressing hard on the seeds, and discard the seeds.
• Invert the torte onto the rack, set over wax paper, remove the bottom of the pan, and spread the glaze on the top and side of the torte. Let the torte stand at room temperature for 2 hours or chill it for 30 minutes, or until the glaze is set. The torte may be prepared up to this point 1 day in advance and kept on the rack, covered with an inverted bowl, at room temperature.
• Make the ganache:
• In a small heavy saucepan bring the cream to a boil and remove the pan from the heat. Stir in the chocolate, stirring until the mixture is smooth, and let the ganache cool for 3 minutes.
• Pour the ganache over the torte, smoothing it with a spatula and letting the excess drip down the side, and let the torte stand for 1 hour, or until the ganache is set. Transfer the torte carefully to a serving plate, garnish it with some of the additional raspberries and some of the lemon leaves, and serve the remaining raspberries, garnished with the remaining lemon leaves, separately.

ALMOND RASPBERRY TORTE

Steps:

• Line two greased 9-in. round baking pans with waxed paper and grease the paper; set aside., In a large bowl, beat eggs on high speed for 3 minutes. Gradually add sugar, beating until mixture becomes thick and lemon-colored. Beat in vanilla., Combine flour and baking powder; beat into egg mixture. In a small saucepan, heat milk and butter until butter is melted; beat into batter. Spread into prepared pans., Bake at 350° for 28-32 minutes or until cake springs back when lightly touched. Cool completely., Meanwhile, in a small saucepan, bring water and sugar to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, for 10 minutes. Stir in Amaretto; cool., In a large bowl, beat cream cheese and butter until fluffy. Add confectioners' sugar and extract; beat until smooth. In a small bowl, combine raspberry filling and lemon juice; set aside., Cut each cake horizontally into two layers. Place bottom layer on a serving plate; brush with 3 tablespoons syrup. Top with 1/3 cup almond filling and 1/3 cup raspberry mixture; repeat layers twice., Top with remaining cake layer; brush with remaining syrup. Frost top and sides of cake with frosting. Press sliced almonds onto sides of cake. Garnish with raspberries. Refrigerate until serving.

ALMOND TORTE WITH RASPBERRY FILLING

Steps:

• Heat oven to 375 degrees. Butter two 8-inch round cake pans. Line with parchment; butter parchment. In a food processor, process almonds and sugar to a powder. Sift together cornstarch, flour, baking powder, and salt.
• In an electric mixer, beat 2 eggs with almond-sugar mixture on low speed until blended, about 1 minute. Add remaining eggs, one at a time, beating on high speed for 3 to 4 minutes and scraping down sides of bowl after each egg. Beat in liqueur.
• Sprinkle cornstarch mixture over egg mixture; fold in. Fold in melted butter. Pour batter into prepared pans. Bake 15 minutes, rotate pans between oven shelves, and bake until cake tester inserted in the center of a cake comes out clean, 15 to 17 more minutes. Line two wire racks with parchment; spray paper with cooking spray. Turn cakes out of pans to cool on parchment-lined cooling racks for 45 minutes.
• In a small saucepan, warm jam over low heat, stirring occasionally. Spread warm jam on one cake layer; top with second layer, and dust with confectioners' sugar. Decorate with marzipan if desired.

CHOCOLATE ALMOND TORTE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°F. Butter 10-inch-diameter springform pan with 2 3/4-inch-high sides. Combine almonds and 1/3 cup sugar in processor. Blend until almonds are very finely ground. Transfer almond mixture to medium bowl; do not clean processor. Add chocolate and 1/3 cup sugar to processor. Blend until chocolate is finely ground but not beginning to clump, about 45 seconds; stir into almond mixture. Using electric mixer, beat egg yolks and remaining 1/3 cup sugar in large bowl until mixture falls in heavy ribbon when beaters are lifted, about 5 minutes. Beat in almond extract and lemon peel. Fold in chocolate-almond mixture, then butter.
• Using clean dry beaters, beat egg whites and salt in another large bowl until stiff but not dry. Fold whites into chocolate batter in three additions. Transfer batter to prepared pan.
• Bake cake until tester inserted into center comes out with moist crumbs attached, about 40 minutes. Cool cake completely in pan on rack. (Can be made 1 day ahead. Cover; store at room temperature.) Cut around pan sides to loosen; release sides. Sift powdered sugar over cake.

BROWN BUTTER ALMOND TORTE WITH SOUR CHERRY SAUCE

Steps:

• To make the torte:
• In a small saucepan melt butter over moderately low heat and continue to heat until golden brown with nutlike fragrance. (Bottom of pan will be covered with brown specks.) Cool butter to warm and stir in vanilla.
• Preheat oven to 375°F. Butter and flour a 9-inch round cake pan, knocking out excess flour.
• In a food processor finely grind whole almonds with flour, 2/3 cup sugar, and 1/2 teaspoon salt.
• In a large bowl with an electric mixer beat whites with remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt until they hold soft peaks. Add remaining 1/3 cup sugar gradually, beating until meringue just holds stiff peaks. Fold in nut mixture gently but thoroughly. Fold in butter gently but thoroughly (batter will deflate) and spread in pan.
• Sprinkle top of batter evenly with sliced almonds and bake torte in middle of oven 35 to 40 minutes, or until it begins to pull away from side of pan and a tester comes out clean.
• Cool torte in pan on a rack 15 minutes and invert onto rack. Flip torte right side up and cool completely. (Torte may be made 1 day ahead and kept in an airtight container at room temperature.)
• Serve cake with sauce.
• To make the sauce:
• Working over a heavy saucepan pit cherries. In pan bring cherries, sugar, and water to a boil. Stir cornstarch mixture and add to sauce, stirring. Simmer sauce 2 minutes and cool to room temperature. (Sauce may be made 2 days ahead and chilled, covered. Bring sauce to room temperature before serving.) Makes about 3 cups.

ALMOND MERINGUE TORTE WITH PRALINE BUTTERCREAM

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°F. and butter and flour two 8- or 9-inch round cake pans, knocking out excess flour.
• Make meringue layers:
• In a bowl with an electric mixer beat whites until they hold soft peaks. Add sugar in a slow stream, beating until meringue holds stiff, glossy peaks. Fold in almonds and sift flour over meringue. Fold in flour gently but thoroughly and divide meringue between cake pans, smoothing it evenly. Bake layers in middle of oven 30 to 35 minutes, or until pale golden and firm to the touch. Invert layers onto racks and cool.
• Make praline:
• Line a baking sheet with foil.
• In a dry heavy saucepan cook sugar over moderate heat, stirring with a fork, until melted and cook, without stirring, swirling pan, until a golden caramel. Remove pan from heat and stir in almonds and hazelnuts. Immediately pour mixture onto baking sheet tilting baking sheet to make a thin layer and cool completely. Break praline into pieces and transfer to a plastic bag. Crush praline coarse with a rolling pin. Praline may be made 1 week ahead and kept in an airtight container at room temperature.
• Make buttercream:
• In a small heavy saucepan simmer milk, sugar, and vanilla bean if using, stirring, until sugar is dissolved. In a bowl whisk yolks and add milk mixture in a stream, whisking. Transfer mixture to pan and cook over low heat, stirring, until a candy thermometer registers 170°F. Pour mixture through a fine sieve into another bowl and cool completely. In a bowl with an electric mixer beat butter until light and fluffy and beat in custard, a little at a time, until smooth. Beat in 1/2 cup praline (reserving remaining praline for another use) and vanilla extract if using.
• Assemble torte:
• Stack meringue layers, spreading some buttercream generously between them. Spread remaining buttercream on top and side of torte. Press chopped toasted almonds onto top and side of torte and sprinkle top with confectioners' sugar. Torte may be made 1 day ahead and chilled, covered. Let torte stand at cool room temperature 2 hours before serving.

ALMOND BRITTLE TORTE

Steps:

• Line a 13x9-in. baking pan with foil; butter the foil and set aside. In a saucepan, combine the sugar, water, corn syrup and coffee granules. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, stirring constantly, until a candy thermometer reads 290°. Sprinkle with baking soda, stirring constantly (mixture will foam). Stir in the almonds. Pour into prepared pan. Cool completely., In a large bowl, combine the egg yolks, water, lemon juice and vanilla; mix well. Combine flour and 3/4 cup sugar; add to egg yolk mixture and mix well. In a large bowl, beat egg whites, cream of tartar and salt until soft peaks form. Beat in remaining sugar, 1 tablespoon at a time. Fold into the batter. Pour into an ungreased 10-in. tube pan. Bake at 350° for 50-55 minutes or until cake springs back when lightly touched. Cool on a wire rack., Remove cake from pan. Split horizontally into four layers. Place bottom layer on a serving plate; spread with about 3/4 cup whipped cream. Break almond brittle into small pieces; sprinkle some over cream. Repeat layers twice. Spread remaining whipped cream over top and sides of cake; sprinkle with remaining brittle. Refrigerate until serving.

JAPONAISE (ALMOND MERINGUE) TORTE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350°F.
• Grease and flour 3 baking trays, or line them with baking paper, and mark each with an 8" circle.
• Place ground almonds, superfine sugar and cornstarch in a small bowl, mix together, and set aside.
• Using an electric mixer, beat the egg whites in a small bowl until they form soft peaks.
• Gradually add the extra superfine sugar, and continue beating until the mixture resembles uncooked meringue.
• Carefully fold the almond mixture, that was set aside, into the meringue.
• Spread meringue mixture on to each of the 3 trays inside the marked circles, or use a piping bag with a 1/2" nozzle to pipe a spiral within each circle.
• Place two of the trays on the centre shelf of the oven and the third on the shelf below.
• Bake for 25 minutes or until meringue is a pale, golden colour- if necessary move the bottom tray to the centre shelf and cook a further 5 minutes.
• Allow the trays to cool on wire racks for 10 minutes before loosening the meringues with a large spatula- do not remove meringues from trays until they have completely cooled.
• For the coffee butter cream- bring the sugar and water to the boil in a small pan, then reduce heat and simmer until the syrup thickens.
• Remove from heat and add the coffee essence, and stir briefly to combine.
• Place the egg yolks in a medium bowl and, beating continuously with an electric mixer, add the coffee syrup.
• While continuing to beat, add the butter, 1 tablespoon at a time, until it is all amalgamated.
• Taste, and add more coffee essence if desired.
• Cool the butter cream in the refrigerator until it reaches spreading consistency.
• To assemble the torte, place one meringue layer on a serving platter and spread with some butter cream.
• Place second meringue on top, spread with butter cream, and repeat with the third meringue.
• Cover the top of torte, and the side, with remaining butter cream.
• Sprinkle toasted almond flakes all over, to decorate, then place in refrigerator until 10 to 15 minutes before serving time, preferably overnight.
• Dust top with powdered sugar to serve.

WHITE CHOCOLATE-ALMOND TORTE

Steps:

• Heat oven to 325°F. Grease bottom and side of 9- or 10-inch springform pan with shortening; lightly flour. Place almonds on ungreased cookie sheet; bake 4 to 7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until lightly browned. Reserve 2 tablespoons almonds for garnish. Place remaining almonds in food processor or blender. Cover; process until almonds are ground; set aside.
• In small bowl, mix flour, baking powder and salt; set aside. In large bowl, beat 1/2 cup butter and the granulated sugar with electric mixer on medium speed, scraping bowl occasionally, until fluffy. Add eggs one at a time, beating on high speed after each addition until smooth and blended. Add milk, liqueur, 1 teaspoon vanilla, the flour mixture and ground almonds; beat on medium speed until smooth. Stir in 6 ounces white chocolate. Spread batter in pan.
• Bake 50 to 55 minutes or until center springs back when lightly touched and top is evenly browned. Cool 15 minutes; remove side of pan. Cool completely, about 1 hour 30 minutes.
• Meanwhile, in 2-quart saucepan, heat 4 ounces white chocolate and boiling water over low heat, stirring constantly, just until chocolate is melted. Stir in 1 teaspoon vanilla; cool to room temperature. In large bowl, beat 3/4 cup butter on medium speed until fluffy. Gradually beat in cooled white chocolate mixture and powdered sugar until smooth.
• Run long knife under cake to loosen from pan bottom; transfer to serving plate. Spread frosting over side and top of torte. Garnish with reserved toasted almonds.

ALMOND-LEMON TORTE WITH FRESH STRAWBERRIES

Steps:

• For cake:
• Preheat oven to 350°F. Brush 10-inch-diameter springform pan with oil. Line bottom with parchment paper round. Brush paper with oil. Place 2 tablespoons matzo meal in pan and shake to coat; tap out excess.
• Combine remaining 2 tablespoons matzo meal, almond flour, and 1/3 cup sugar in medium bowl; whisk to blend. Place egg yolks in large bowl; place egg whites in another large bowl. Add 1/3 cup sugar to yolks. Using electric mixer, beat yolk mixture until thick and fluffy. Beat in 6 tablespoons olive oil, then lemon juice, orange juice, and lemon peel. Mix in dry ingredients. Add 1/2 teaspoon salt to whites; using clean dry beaters, beat until soft peaks form. Gradually add 1/3 cup sugar and beat until stiff but not dry. Fold whites into yolk mixture in 3 additions. Transfer batter to prepared pan. Sprinkle almonds over.
• Bake cake until golden brown and tester inserted into center comes out clean, about 40 minutes. Place pan on rack; cool cake completely in pan. DO AHEAD: Can be made 2 days ahead. Cover cake pan with foil and let stand at room temperature.
• For sauce and berries:
• Combine 2 cups sliced strawberries and 1 tablespoon sugar in processor; blend until smooth. Sweeten sauce with more sugar, if desired; transfer to small bowl. do ahead Can be made 1 day ahead. Cover and chill.
• Cut around cake; release pan sides. Cut cake into wedges. Serve with sauce and remaining sliced strawberries.
• Sometimes labeled "ground almonds"; available at specialty foods stores and natural foods stores.