BRITTLE TORTE

Brittle Torte image

This was my mom's favorite special-occasion cake. When I was in high school, she often asked me to make it for her. The homemade brittle gives it a satisfying crunch. -Phyllis Murphey, Lower Lake, California

Provided by Taste of Home

Time 1h40m

Yield 12 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 18

Ingredients

8 eggs, separated
1-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1-1/2 cups sugar
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup water
1 teaspoon lemon juice
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon cream of tartar
TOPPING:
1-1/2 cups sugar
1/4 cup light corn syrup
1/4 cup water
1/4 teaspoon instant coffee granules
1 teaspoon baking soda
WHIPPED CREAM:
2 cups heavy whipping cream
2 tablespoons sugar
2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Steps:

Let eggs stand at room temperature 30 minutes. , Place oven rack in lowest position. Preheat oven to 325°. Combine flour, sugar and salt. Whisk egg yolks, water, lemon juice and vanilla; add to flour mixture. Beat until blended., Beat egg whites and cream of tartar until soft peaks form; fold into batter. Spoon into an ungreased 10-in. tube pan. Cut through batter with a knife to remove air pockets. Bake 50-60 minutes or until top springs back when touched. Immediately invert pan; cool completely., For topping, grease a 15x10x1-in. pan. In a heavy saucepan, combine sugar, corn syrup, water and coffee granules. Bring to a boil, stirring constantly. Cook, without stirring, until a candy thermometer reads 300° (hard-crack stage)., Remove from heat; stir in baking soda. Immediately pour into prepared pan. Stretch brittle in pan with two forks; cool. Break into pieces. In a large bowl, beat cream until it begins to thicken. Add sugar and vanilla; beat until stiff peaks form., Unmold cake; cut horizontally into four layers. Place bottom layer on a serving plate; top with 1/2 cup whipped cream. Repeat layers twice; top with remaining layer. Frost top and sides of cake with remaining cream. Sprinkle with brittle.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 465 calories, Fat 18g fat (10g saturated fat), Cholesterol 195mg cholesterol, Sodium 368mg sodium, Carbohydrate 71g carbohydrate (54g sugars, Fiber 0 fiber), Protein 7g protein.