HOLIDAY WALNUT TORTE

Holiday Walnut Torte image

This torte is one of my grandma's best-loved recipes-tender layers of nut-filled cake put together with apricot glaze and cream cheese frosting. It's heavenly! -Eileen Korecko, Hot Springs Village, Arkansas

Provided by Taste of Home

Time 1h5m

Yield 10-12 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 17

Ingredients

3 large eggs
1-1/2 cups sugar
3 teaspoons vanilla extract
1-3/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup ground walnuts
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1-1/2 cups heavy whipping cream
GLAZE:
2/3 cup apricot preserves
1 tablespoon sugar
FROSTING:
1/2 cup butter, softened
3 ounces cream cheese, softened
2 cups confectioners' sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3/4 cup ground walnuts, divided

Steps:

In a large bowl, beat the eggs, sugar and vanilla on high speed for 5 minutes or until thick and lemon-colored. Combine the flour, walnuts, baking powder and salt; beat into egg mixture. Beat cream until stiff peaks form; fold into batter., Pour into two greased and floured 9-in. round baking pans. Bake at 350° for 25-30 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., In a small saucepan over medium heat, cook and stir preserves and sugar until sugar is dissolved. Set aside 1/2 cup. Brush remaining glaze over cake tops., In a large bowl, beat butter and cream cheese until fluffy. Add confectioners' sugar and vanilla; beat until smooth. Spread 1/2 cup frosting over one cake; top with second cake and 3/4 cup frosting. Sprinkle 1/2 cup walnuts over the top. , Brush reserved glaze over sides of cake; press remaining walnuts onto sides. Pipe remaining frosting around top edge of cake. Store in the refrigerator.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 580 calories, Fat 30g fat (14g saturated fat), Cholesterol 121mg cholesterol, Sodium 276mg sodium, Carbohydrate 74g carbohydrate (52g sugars, Fiber 1g fiber), Protein 7g protein.