STRAWBERRY WALNUT TORTE

Strawberry Walnut Torte image

This is a special treat I love to make and everyone looks forward to a nice slice with lots of fresh berries. -Bonnie Malloy, Norwood, Pennsylvania

Provided by Taste of Home

Time 55m

Yield 16 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 16

Ingredients

3/4 cup chopped walnuts, toasted and cooled
1/4 cup plus 1-1/4 cups sugar, divided
1-1/2 cups heavy whipping cream
3 large eggs
3 teaspoons vanilla extract
1-3/4 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
FROSTING:
1-1/2 cups heavy whipping cream
1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened
1 cup sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/8 teaspoon salt
1 jar (12 ounces) strawberry preserves, divided
4 cups halved fresh strawberries

Steps:

Preheat oven to 350°. Line bottoms of 2 greased 9-in. round baking pans with parchment; grease paper., Place walnuts and 1/4 cup sugar in a food processor; pulse until nuts are ground. In a small bowl, beat cream until stiff peaks form. Set aside walnut mixture and cream., In a large bowl, beat eggs and remaining sugar until thick and lemon-colored; beat in vanilla. In another bowl, mix flour, baking powder, salt and walnut mixture; fold into egg mixture alternately with whipped cream., Transfer to prepared pans. Bake 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool in pans 10 minutes before removing to wire racks; remove parchment. Cool completely., For frosting, in a small bowl, beat cream until stiff peaks form. In a large bowl, beat cream cheese, sugar, vanilla and salt until blended. Fold in whipped cream., Using a long serrated knife, cut each cake horizontally in half. Place 1 cake layer on a serving plate; spread with 1/2 cup frosting. Top with a second cake layer. Reserve 2 tablespoons preserves for strawberries; spread half the remaining preserves over top of cake to within 1/2 inch of edge. Repeat layers., Frost sides of cake with remaining frosting. For a basket weave design, run a small offset spatula around cake to form ridges, stopping and starting at short intervals. Arrange strawberries over top. In a microwave, melt reserved preserves; brush over strawberries. Refrigerate until serving.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 491 calories, Fat 26g fat (14g saturated fat), Cholesterol 116mg cholesterol, Sodium 215mg sodium, Carbohydrate 61g carbohydrate (46g sugars, Fiber 1g fiber), Protein 6g protein.