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Sachertorte

Classic Austrian chocolate layer cake with rich chocolate and apricot jam filling. A decadent dessert with silky chocolate ganache coating.

75 minMediumServes 12420 cal/serving

AustrianDessertOvenStandard

Ingredients

  • 6 oz unsalted butter
  • 4 oz dark chocolate (70%), chopped
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 6 large eggs, separated
  • 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 cup apricot jam
  • 6 oz dark chocolate (for ganache), chopped
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp vanilla extract

Instructions

  1. 1

    Preheat oven to 350°F. Butter and flour a 9-inch round cake pan.

  2. 2

    Melt 4 oz chopped dark chocolate (70%) with 6 oz unsalted butter in a double boiler over low heat, stirring frequently. Remove from heat and cool slightly.

  3. 3

    In a bowl, whisk 6 separated large eggs with half the 1/2 cup granulated sugar until pale and fluffy. Stir in the melted chocolate mixture and 1/2 tsp vanilla extract.

  4. 4

    Sift 1/2 cup all-purpose flour and 1/4 tsp salt together and gently fold into the chocolate mixture.

  5. 5

    In another bowl, beat remaining large eggs whites until soft peaks form. Gradually add remaining granulated sugar and beat until stiff peaks form.

  6. 6

    Gently fold the beaten whites into the chocolate batter in two additions.

  7. 7

    Pour into prepared pan and bake for 40-45 minutes until a toothpick comes out with just a few moist crumbs.

  8. 8

    Cool in pan for 10 minutes, then turn out onto a wire rack to cool completely.

  9. 9

    Once cooled, split the cake horizontally into two layers. Spread 1/2 cup apricot jam between the layers.

  10. 10

    For ganache, heat 1/2 cup heavy cream until steaming and pour over 6 oz chopped dark chocolate (for ganache). Let sit 2 minutes, then stir until smooth and glossy.

  11. 11

    Pour ganache over the cake, letting it drip down the sides. Refrigerate until set before serving.

Questions

Can I make Sachertorte dairy-free?

Yes. The dairy in this entry is 6 oz unsalted butter, 1/2 cup heavy cream. Swap the butter for olive oil where it melts, or a plant-based block butter where it is creamed; the cream for full-fat coconut milk or an oat cooking cream. The richness shifts slightly, but the method does not change.

Can I make Sachertorte gluten-free?

Yes. The gluten in this entry is 1/2 cup all-purpose flour. Swap the flour for a 1-to-1 gluten-free baking blend (where it only thickens a sauce, half as much cornstarch also works). Everything else proceeds as written.

Can I make Sachertorte ahead?

Yes, it takes well to being made ahead. Store it airtight: two to three days at room temperature or up to a week refrigerated. It freezes for up to two months; thaw at room temperature.

Can I halve or double Sachertorte?

Yes. As written it serves 12. Every ingredient in this entry carries precomputed half and double quantities, and the app's batch dial rewrites them inside each step. Doubled, split it across two pans and rotate them halfway; one crowded pan bakes unevenly.

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