Best Poppy Seed Torte Recipes

OLD-FASHIONED POPPY SEED TORTE

Steps:

• Place egg whites in a small bowl; let stand at room temperature for 30 minutes. Coat three 9-in. round baking pans with cooking spray; line with waxed paper and coat the paper. Sprinkle with flour; set aside. , In a large bowl, beat butter and sugar blend until crumbly, about 2 minutes. Beat in applesauce and 1 teaspoon vanilla. Combine 2-1/2 cups flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt; add to creamed mixture alternately with buttermilk. Fold in poppy seeds., Beat egg whites on medium speed until soft peaks form; fold into batter. Spread into prepared pans. Bake at 350° for 12-18 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes before removing from pans to wire racks to cool completely., For filling, in a small saucepan, combine sugar and remaining flour. Stir in sour cream until smooth. Bring to a boil. Stir a small amount of hot mixture into egg yolks; return all to the pan, stirring constantly. Bring to a gentle boil; cook and stir 2 minutes longer. Remove from the heat. Stir in remaining vanilla. Transfer to a bowl; refrigerate until chilled., Place one cake layer on a serving platter; top with a third of the filling. Repeat layers twice., Combine the confectioners' sugar, cocoa and enough coffee to achieve a drizzling consistency. Drizzle over cake. Sprinkle with nuts. Refrigerate until serving.

POPPY SEED TORTE

Steps:

• Make the crust: Pulse the flour, sugar, lemon zest and salt in a food processor. Add the butter and pulse until the mixture looks like coarse meal. Add the egg yolk and 2 tablespoons ice water; pulse until the dough begins to come together. Turn out onto a sheet of plastic wrap and pat into a disk. Wrap tightly and refrigerate until firm, at least 1 hour and up to 1 day.
• Lightly coat a 9-inch tart pan with a removable bottom with cooking spray. Roll out the dough into a 10-inch round on a lightly floured surface. (If it gets too soft, return to the refrigerator until firm.) Ease the dough into the prepared pan and press into the bottom and up the sides, trimming any excess. Pierce the bottom all over with a fork. Refrigerate until firm, at least 1 hour or overnight.
• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Put the tart pan on a baking sheet. Line the crust with foil, then fill with pie weights or dried beans. Transfer the baking sheet to the oven; bake until the crust edges are golden, about 20 minutes. Remove the foil and weights and continue baking until the crust is golden all over, 15 to 20 more minutes. Transfer to a rack and let cool completely. (The tart shell can be made up to 1 day ahead.)
• Meanwhile, make the filling: Whisk the sugar, egg yolks, cornstarch and salt in a bowl until combined. Heat the milk in a small saucepan over medium heat (do not boil). Gradually whisk half of the hot milk into the egg mixture, then pour back into the saucepan with the remaining milk and cook, whisking, until thick like pudding, about 4 minutes. Whisk in the butter and vanilla. Pour the filling through a fine-mesh sieve into a large bowl. Let cool to room temperature, stirring frequently, about 30 minutes.
• Beat the heavy cream with a mixer until soft peaks form. Gently fold the whipped cream and poppy seeds into the cooled filling. Spoon into the prepared crust and smooth the top. Cover loosely with plastic wrap and refrigerate until set, at least 3 hours or overnight.

POPPY SEED TORTE

Steps:

• Place poppy seeds and milk in a small bowl; soak for 1 hour. Add vanilla. In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add poppy seed mixture. , Sift together the flour, baking powder and salt; add to creamed mixture. Fold in egg whites. Spread into two well-greased and lightly floured 8-in. round baking pans. , Bake at 375° for 20-25 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes before removing from pans to wire racks to cool completely., For filling, in a small saucepan, combine the sugar and cornstarch. Stir in milk until smooth. Cook and stir over medium-high heat until thickened and bubbly. Reduce heat; cook and stir 2 minutes longer. Remove from the heat. Stir a small amount of hot filling into egg yolks; return all to pan, stirring constantly. Bring to a gentle boil; cook and stir 2 minutes longer. Remove from the heat. Gently stir in vanilla and nuts of desired. , Split cakes in half and spread filling between layers. Chill. Just before serving, dust with confectioners' sugar.

POPPY SEED CHOCOLATE TORTE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°F. Generously butter and flour 9-inch-diameter spring-form pan with 2 3/4-inch-high sides. Melt 4 ounces bittersweet chocolate in top of double boiler set over simmering water, stirring chocolate until smooth. Remove melted chocolate from over water. Cool chocolate 10 minutes.
• Using electric mixer, 3/4 cup sugar, unsalted butter and vanilla extract in large bowl to blend. Add egg yolks 1 at a time, beating well after each addition. Add melted bittersweet chocolate; beat until just combined. Mix in poppy seeds. Using electric mixer fitted with clean dry beaters, beat egg whites in another large bowl until stiff but not dry. Fold half of beaten egg white into chocolate mixture. Fold flour into remaining beaten white. Fold egg white mixture into chocolate mixture.
• Pour batter into prepared spring-form pan. Using spatula, smooth top. Bake until tester inserted into center of torte comes out clean, about 45 minutes. Transfer pan to rack and cool completely. (Can be prepared 1 day ahead. Cover tightly with aluminum foil and store torte at room temperature.)
• Cut around sides of pan to loosen torte. Remove pan sides. Sift powdered sugar over torte. Place on platter. Serve with whipped cream.

POPPY SEED TORTE

Steps:

• CRUST: Mix together the cracker crumbs, flour, butter and nuts.
• Pat into a 9x13 inch pan.
• Bake at 350 degrees for 15 minutes.
• Let cool.
• FILLING: Prepare pudding with milk.
• Add the poppy seeds.
• Whip and lightly sweeten the cream.
• Fold the cream into the pudding.
• Pour the mixture onto the graham cracker crust.
• Refrigerate.

POPPY SEED GRAPEFRUIT TORTE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Coat a 9-inch springform pan with cooking spray. Line bottom with parchment paper, and coat parchment. Set aside.
• Put butter, 1 1/4 cups sugar, and the zest into the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment; mix on medium speed until pale and smooth, about 3 minutes. Mix in Campari and salt. Mix in egg yolks, 1 at a time, until creamy, scraping down sides of bowl as needed.
• Stir flour, poppy seeds, and raisins in a medium bowl. Stir into butter mixture.
• Put egg whites and remaining 1 1/4 cups sugar into the clean bowl of the electric mixer fitted with the whisk attachment. Beat on medium speed until stiff but not dry peaks form. Fold into flour mixture. Spread batter into prepared pan, and smooth top with an offset spatula.
• Bake until cake is deep golden brown and is pulling away from sides of pan, 35 to 40 minutes. Let cool on a wire rack 15 minutes. Remove sides of pan; invert to remove bottom of pan and parchment. Reinvert onto rack; let cool completely (cake will sink slightly in the middle).
• Using a long, sharp knife, cut cake horizontally into 3 equal layers. Place bottom layer on a serving platter. Top with half of the zest-flavored mousse. Arrange half of the grapefruit segments in a single layer on top. Top with another cake layer, and repeat layering with remaining zest-flavored mousse and grapefruit segments. Top with final cake layer. Refrigerate until firm, at least 30 minutes.
• Spread a thin coat of plain mousse on top and sides of cake. Refrigerate until firm, about 20 minutes. Spread another coat of mousse on sides until smooth and opaque. Transfer remaining mousse to a pastry bag fitted with a large petal tip (such as Ateco #180); pipe waves in concentric circles on top of cake. If mousse becomes too soft, refrigerate about 30 minutes, then stir until smooth. Sprinkle cake top with poppy seeds. Refrigerate until ready to serve, up to 2 hours.

POPPY SEED TORTE WITH ORANGE GLAZE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Lightly grease and flour two 8 inch round cake pans. In a small bowl, stir together flour, poppy seeds, baking powder, salt, and mace; set aside.
• In a large bowl, cream together 1 cup of butter and 1 cup of sugar until fluffy. Beat in eggs, one at a time, then add grated orange zest and 1 teaspoon vanilla. Stir in the flour mixture, beating at low speed, until well blended. Divide equally into 2 greased and floured 8 inch round cake pans.
• Bake in preheated oven for 20 to 30 minutes. Allow cake layers to cool, then split each layer in half horizontally. Put the 4 cake layers together with about 1/3 cup of filling spread between each layer. Spread sides (not top) of cake with remaining filling. Refrigerate. Spread cooled glaze over top of cake and garnish with curls of orange peel. Store cake in refrigerator.
• To Make Filling: Combine the confectioner's sugar, 3/4 cup of butter, 2 egg yolks, and 1 tablespoon of vanilla. Beat on medium high speed until light and fluffy (about 2 to 3 minutes).
• To Make The Glaze: In a saucepan, combine orange juice, 2 tablespoons sugar, cornstarch, and orange zest. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until mixture thickens and comes to a boil. Set aside to cool before spooning over cake.

UKRAINIAN CHRISTMAS POPPY SEED RUM CAKE MAKOVYI TORTE

Steps:

• FOR THE CAKE: Pour boiling water over seeds, let stand for 5 minutes, pour off water and repeat.
• Drain well.
• Grind with steel blade in processor until seeds release milk and turn white.
• Butter a 9 inch springform pan and dust it with ground almonds. (This may be done in advance.) Best to butter parchment paper to cover bottom of pan and sprinkle with ground almonds.
• Place poppy seeds and honey in a large bowl.
• Separate eggs.
• Add room-temperature yolks, one by one, to the mix, beating until thick.
• Stir in grated almonds and lemon zest.
• Beat egg whites until satiny but no dry.
• Fold a little into the mixture, then fold in the rest, until no white shows.
• Pour mixture into pan, rapping it gently to release air pockets, and smooth the top with a spatula.
• Bake on the middle rack of a preheated 350°F oven for 50 to 60 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean from the center.
• Do not open oven door or disturb the cake while baking.
• Cool slowly, not in a draft.
• Run a sharp knife around the sides, then slowly release the spring.
• Run a knife under the bottom and cool on rack.
• TO FILL CAKE: Cover work surface with double sheets of wax paper.
• With a sharp knife, make a small incision around the torte to mark where it should be cut in half.
• Make horizontal cuts at four equidistant points, then gently pull a long thread through the cake to cut it into two layers.
• Sprinkle bottom layer with 2 or 3 tablespoons of rum, and evenly spread rum butter filling about 3/4 inch thick.
• Cover with top layer and press gently.
• Cover the sides with the rest of the filling.
• Refrigerate overnight wrapped in foil.
• TO ICE CAKE, cover work surface or a lazy susan with wide double-strength foil.
• Apply a third of the icing to sides with a spatula, pulling from the bottom up.
• Wipe spatula occasionally to avoid pulling crumbs, and dip in hot water to smooth out ridges.
• With the rest of the icing, smoothly cover the top.
• Refrigerate for at least 2 days.
• Run a sharp knife around bottom to release icing from paper.
• Slide the torte onto one hand, pull off the remaining paper and gently place torte on serving platter, taking care not to crack the icing.
• Yields about 20 slices.
• Keeps well in refrigerator.
• Serve at room temperature.
• RUM BUTTER FILLING: (Rumova masa) This is an excellent cream, the base of which may be used with different flavors.
• Here, rum is used.
• It is used as a filling for the poppy seed torte.
• This filling can also be used as icing.
• Cream butter until light, add sugar a little at a time, rum, and cream.
• Beat until very fluffy.
• WHITE ICING: Bila Shklytsia.
• This hard icing dries quickly and forms a lovely cover for a torte.
• It cures hard, not fluffy.
• Place 2 cups sugar in a bowl and add cream and vanilla.
• Mix well, gradually adding the rest of the sugar.
• Add a little more cream if too stiff.

POPPY-SEED TORTE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Butter a 7-inch springform pan. Line the bottom with parchment paper; butter parchment, and dust with flour, tapping out excess. In a small bowl, combine poppy seeds, walnuts, flour, almond extract, and salt.
• In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, beat egg yolks and 1/4 cup sugar on medium-high speed until pale and thick, about 3 minutes. Transfer to a large mixing bowl. Add the poppy-seed mixture, but do not stir in.
• Place egg whites in a heatproof mixer bowl set over a pan of simmering water until warm to the touch. Attach bowl to mixer fitted with a clean, dry whisk attachment, and beat on high speed until soft peaks form. Beat in remaining 1/4 cup sugar until stiff and glossy peaks form. Fold egg whites into egg-yolk mixture in three batches.
• Spread batter evenly in prepared pan, and bake until lightly golden and firm on top, about 30 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. Carefully remove sides of pan, and transfer torte to a serving plate. Dust with confectioners' sugar, and serve in wedges.

POPPY-SEED TORTE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 300 degrees. Grease a 9-inch springform pan and line the bottom with parchment or waxed paper.
• Using a coffee grinder, grind the poppy seeds in batches for about 20 seconds. (The seeds will become slightly sticky.) Combine with the baking powder in a large bowl.
• In a mixer fitted with a paddle, beat the egg yolks until slightly thickened. Slowly add the sugar and vanilla. Slowly pour in the butter, then add the poppy-seed mixture. Beat until combined. Return the mixture, which will be very thick, to the large bowl.
• Using a clean bowl and a whisk, beat the egg whites until they form soft peaks. Fold them into the batter and pour it into the prepared pan. Bake for 50 to 60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out fairly dry. Cool on a wire rack for at least an hour before unmolding. Dust with powdered sugar before serving.

POPPY SEED TORTE

Steps:

• In a small bowl, soak poppy seeds in 3/4 cup milk and 1-1/2 teaspoons vanilla for 1 hour. Meanwhile, separate eggs. Let butter and egg whites stand at room temperature for 30 minutes. Set egg yolks aside until needed. Grease the bottoms of two 8x1-1/2- or 9x1-1/2-inch round cake pans. Line pans with waxed paper; grease and lightly flour. Set pans aside. In medium bowl, combine flour, baking powder and salt; set aside.
• For filling: In a heavy medium saucepan, combine 1/2 cup sugar and cornstarch. Gradually stir in 1-1/2 cups milk and egg yolks. Cook and stir over medium-high heat until mixture is thickened and bubbly. Cook and stir for 2 minutes more. Stir in 1 teaspoon vanilla. Pour filling into a bowl. Cover the surface with clear plastic wrap. Chill until completely cooled. Do not stir.
• For cake: In a large mixing bowl, beat butter with an electric mixer on medium speed for 30 seconds. Gradually add 1-1/2 cups sugar to butter, about 2 tablespoons at a time, beating on medium to high speed until sugar is nearly dissolved. Alternately add flour mixture and poppy seed mixture to butter mixture, beating on low to medium speed after each addition just until combined. Thoroughly wash beaters.
• In another large mixing bowl, beat egg whites with an electric mixer until stiff peaks form (tips stand straight). Gently fold beaten egg whites into batter. Evenly divide batter between prepared cake pans. Bake in a 375 degree F oven for 30 to 35 minutes for 8-inch pans or 25 to 30 minutes for 9 -inch pans or until a wood toothpick inserted near the centers of the layers comes out clean.
• Cool cakes in pans on wire racks for 10 minutes. Remove cakes from pans. Cool thoroughly on wire racks.
• To assemble, carefully split each cake layer horizontally in half. Place one cake layer, cut side up, on a serving plate. Spread with one-third of the filling. Top with second cake layer, rounded (top) side up. Spread with one-third of the filling. Top with 1 more cake layer, cut side up; spread with remaining filling. Top with the remaining cake layer, placing it rounded side up.
• For frosting: In a chilled large mixing bowl beat whipping cream and 1/2 cup sugar with chilled beaters of an electric mixer until soft peaks form. Spread top and sides of cake with frosting. Chill up to 2 hours, or until ready to serve.

RED-CURRANT POPPY-SEED LINZER TORTE

Steps:

• Place pecans, flour, sugar, and salt in a food processor and process until nuts are finely ground. Add butter and process until mixture resembles fine crumbs. Add yolk and pulse until dough just begins to come together. (Dough will be soft.) Divide in half; shape each half into a disk and wrap in plastic. Refrigerate at least 1 hour and up to 2 days.
• On a lightly floured piece of parchment, roll out one disk of dough to an 11-inch round. Transfer to a 9-inch round tart pan with a removable bottom (patch with pieces of excess dough, if necessary). Trim dough flush with rim; refrigerate 30 minutes.
• Divide second disk into 8 pieces. On an unfloured surface, roll each piece out into a 1/2-inch-thick rope, about 10 inches long. (If dough becomes too soft, refrigerate until firm.) Transfer to a parchment-lined baking sheet. Sprinkle poppy seeds on another rimmed baking sheet along one long edge. Working with one rope at a time, roll to coat in poppy seeds. Refrigerate until just firm, about 10 minutes.
• Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spread bottom of crust in tart pan with jam. Arrange seed-coated ropes over crust; trim edges flush with inside. To create the wheat stalk, make shallow snips with scissors at a 45-degree angle, cutting about three-quarters of the way through (being careful not to cut all the way through each rope). Move each cut piece to one side, alternating sides with each cut. Repeat at 1/2-inch intervals along each rope.
• Bake torte until golden brown and bubbling, 40 to 45 minutes. Let cool completely on a wire rack. Remove from tart pan and serve, with whipped cream. Torte can be stored in refrigerator, covered, up to 2 days.

POPPY SEED TORTE

Steps:

• 1. In small bowl, soak poppy seeds in milk and vanilla for 1 hour. Separate eggs. Let butter and egg whites stand at room temp. 30 mins. Grease 2 8X1.5 round cake pans. Line with wax paper, grease and lightly flour. 2. Combine flour, baking powder and salt. 3. Filling: combine sugar and cornstarch. Gradually add milk and egg yolks. Cook and stir over med-high heat until bubbly. Cook 2 mins more. Add vanilla. Pour into bowl, cover with plastic, chill until cooled. do not stir. 4. Cake: Beat butter on medium for 30 secs. Add sugar 2 T at a time, peating until nearly dissolved. Alternately add flour and poppy seed mix to butter, beating low until combined. 5. in another bowl, beat egg whites until stiff peaks. Fold whites into batter. Divide batter between pans. Bake at 375 for 30-35 minutes (8 inch; 25-30 for 9 inch). Cool on wire racks 10 minutes. Remove cakes from pans. Cool thoroughly. 6. Split each cake horizontally. Alternate cake layers with 1/3 of filling. 7. Frosting: In chilled bowl, beat cream and sugar until soft peaks. Spread over cake. Chill up to two hours.

PRINCESS POPPY SEED TORTE

Steps:

• For crust:.
• Combine flour and sugar; cut in butter.
• Add nuts.
• Mix well and press into buttered 9x13 inch pan.
• Bake for 12-15 minutes at 350 degrees or until golden brown.
• Remove from oven and cool.
• For Filling:.
• Soften gelatin in cold water.
• Combine milk, 1 cup sugar and egg yolks in saucepan. Stir to dissolve sugar. Add poppyseed, cornstarch and salt.
• Cook, stirring constantly, until mixture thickens and coats spoon.
• Remove from heat and stir in gelatin. Blend well.
• Stir in vanilla.
• Cool to room temperature.
• While mixture is cooling, beat egg whites in large bowl until frothy.
• Add cream of tartar and beat until soft peaks form.
• Add 1/2 cup sugar gradually, continuing to beat until stiff peaks form.
• Fold in cooled poppy seed mixture.
• Pour into baked crust.
• Chill one hour.
• For Topping:.
• Stir together whipped topping and dry pudding mix. Spread over filling and let chill at least 6 hours before serving.

OLD-FASHIONED POPPY SEED TORTE RECIPE

Steps:

• Place egg whites in a small bowl; let stand at room temperature for 30 minutes. Coat three 9-in. round baking pans with cooking spray; line with waxed paper and coat the paper. Sprinkle with flour; set aside.
• In a large bowl, beat butter and sugar blend until crumbly, about 2 minutes. Beat in applesauce and 1 teaspoon vanilla. Combine 2-1/2 cups flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt; add to creamed mixture alternately with buttermilk. Fold in poppy seeds.
• Beat egg whites on medium speed until soft peaks form; fold into batter. Spread into prepared pans. Bake at 350° for 12-18 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes before removing from pans to wire racks to cool completely.
• For filling, in a small saucepan, combine sugar and remaining flour. Stir in sour cream until smooth. Bring to a boil. Stir a small amount of hot mixture into egg yolks; return all to the pan, stirring constantly. Bring to a gentle boil; cook and stir 2 minutes longer. Remove from the heat. Stir in remaining vanilla. Transfer to a bowl; refrigerate until chilled.
• Place one cake layer on a serving platter; top with a third of the filling. Repeat layers twice.
• Combine the confectioners' sugar, cocoa and enough coffee to achieve a drizzling consistency. Drizzle over cake. Sprinkle with nuts. Refrigerate until serving.
• Yield: 16 servings.
• Editor's Note: This recipe was tested with Splenda sugar blend.
• Originally published as Poppy Seed Torte in Healthy Cooking
• February/March 2010, p29
• Nutritional Facts
• slice equals 261 calories, 8 g fat (3 g saturated fat), 54 mg cholesterol, 288 mg sodium, 43 g carbohydrate, 1 g fiber, 6 g protein.
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NUTTY POPPY SEED TORTE WITH CREAMY MOCHA FROSTING

Steps:

• In a small bowl, combine milk and poppy seeds; let stand for 1 hour. , Preheat oven to 350°. In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Combine flour, baking powder and salt; add to creamed mixture alternately with poppy seed mixture, beating well after each addition., In another large bowl with clean beaters, beat egg whites until soft peaks form; fold into batter. Pour into two greased and floured 9-in. round baking pans. , Bake 15-20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool 10 minutes before removing from pans to wire racks., For filling, in a small heavy saucepan, combine sugar, sour cream and egg yolks. Cook and stir over low heat just until mixture begins to simmer and reaches 160° or is thick enough to coat the back of a metal spoon. Remove from the heat; add nuts and vanilla. Transfer to a bowl; cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate until completely cooled. , For frosting, in a small bowl, beat butter, confectioners' sugar and cocoa until fluffy. Add coffee, 1 tablespoon at a time, until mixture achieves spreading consistency. , Place one cake layer on serving plate; spread with filling. Top with second layer. Spread frosting between layers and over top and sides of cake. Store in the refrigerator.

POPPY SEED GRAPEFRUIT TORTE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Coat a 9-inch springform pan with cooking spray. Line bottom with parchment paper, and coat parchment. Set aside.
• Put butter, 1 1/4 cups sugar, and the zest into the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment; mix on medium speed until pale and smooth, about 3 minutes. Mix in Campari and salt. Mix in egg yolks, 1 at a time, until creamy, scraping down sides of bowl as needed.
• Stir flour, poppy seeds, and raisins in a medium bowl. Stir into butter mixture.
• Put egg whites and remaining 1 1/4 cups sugar into the clean bowl of the electric mixer fitted with the whisk attachment. Beat on medium speed until stiff but not dry peaks form. Fold into flour mixture. Spread batter into prepared pan, and smooth top with an offset spatula.
• Bake until cake is deep golden brown and is pulling away from sides of pan, 35 to 40 minutes. Let cool on a wire rack 15 minutes. Remove sides of pan; invert to remove bottom of pan and parchment. Reinvert onto rack; let cool completely (cake will sink slightly in the middle).
• Using a long, sharp knife, cut cake horizontally into 3 equal layers. Place bottom layer on a serving platter. Top with half of the zest-flavored mousse. Arrange half of the grapefruit segments in a single layer on top. Top with another cake layer, and repeat layering with remaining zest-flavored mousse and grapefruit segments. Top with final cake layer. Refrigerate until firm, at least 30 minutes.
• Spread a thin coat of plain mousse on top and sides of cake. Refrigerate until firm, about 20 minutes. Spread another coat of mousse on sides until smooth and opaque. Transfer remaining mousse to a pastry bag fitted with a large petal tip (such as Ateco #180); pipe waves in concentric circles on top of cake. If mousse becomes too soft, refrigerate about 30 minutes, then stir until smooth. Sprinkle cake top with poppy seeds. Refrigerate until ready to serve, up to 2 hours.

LEMON POPPY SEED TORTE WITH LEMON BUTTERCREAM ICING

Steps:

• FOR THE POPPY SEED SHEET CAKE: Grease 11 x 17 inch baking sheet (28 x 43 cm). Line bottom with parchment (NOT WAXED) paper, extending paper 2 inches over long sides.
• Heat milk in small saucepan on medium for about 4 minutes until very hot and bubbles start to appear around edge. Stir in lemon juice, poppy seeds and lemon zest. Let stand for about 15 minutes until cooled to room temperature.
• Beat 1 cup butter in large bowl until creamy and light coloured. Add both sugars (granulated and Icing). Beat well. Beat in egg yolks and vanilla.
• Stir flour, baking soda and salt in medium bowl. Add to the butter mixture in 3 parts, alternately with poppy seed mixture in 2 parts, beating well after each addition.
• Beat egg whites in small bowl with clean beaters until stiff (not dry) peaks form. Do not overbeat. Gently fold 1/2 of egg white into poppy seed batter. Fold in remaining egg white until no white streaks remain. Spread evenly in prepared baking sheet.
• Bake in centre of 350°F oven for about 20 minutes or until wooden pick inserted in centre comes out clean. Let stand in baking sheet on wire rack until cooled completely. Run knife along side to loosen. Invert cake onto counter. Carefully peel off and discard parchment paper. Trim off crusty edges all around. Cut cake crosswise into 3 rectangles, about 4 x 10 1/2 inches each (10 x 26 cm)).
• LEMON BUTTERCREAM ICING: Combine granulated sugar and flour in medium saucepan. Whisk in lemon juice and egg yolks. Heat and whisk on medium for about 3 minutes until mixture is hot and sugar is dissolved.
• Add first amount of butter (6 tbsp) 1 piece at a time, stirring until melted. Heat and stir until just boiling and thickened. Whisk in lemon zest and whipping cream. Turn into medium bowl. Cover with plastic wrap directly on surface to prevent skin from forming, Chill until cold.
• Beat second amount of butter (2 2/3 cups) in large bowl on high for a bout 5 minutes until light coloured and increased in volume.
• Gradually add 2 1/4 cups icing sugar (confectioner's) 1/4 cup at a time, beating well after each addition. Add lemon mixture, 1/4 cup at a time, beating until creamy and light coloured. Makes about 5 cups icing.
• Place 1 cake piece on long 12 inch serving plate or cake board. Spread 3/4 cup icing on top. Repeat with second and third cake pieces and same amount of icing each time. Place remaining cake piece on top. Ice top and sides with very thin layer of icing. Spoon remaining icing into large piping bag fitted with small closed star tip. Pipe small stars on top and sides of cake. Chill for several hours until firm for easier slicing. Cuts into 24 slices.
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