Ukrainian Festive Walnut Torte - Recipe

Step 1

Combine the ground walnuts, flour, cornstarch, and baking powder (dry ingredients mixture)

Step 2

Set aside

Step 3

In a large bowl, place the egg whites and salt.

Step 4

Beat to stiff peaks, and set aside.

Step 5

In another large bowl, place the egg yolks and beat on medium-high speed for 2 minutes.

Step 6

Add the granulated sugar and continue mixing for about 5 minutes, until the mixture becomes thick and fluffy.

Step 7

Mix in 2 tsp. vanilla, and set aside

Step 8

Sprinkle the walnut mixture (dry ingredients mixture) over the yolk mixture.

Step 9

Fold in the egg whites, until combined.

Step 10

Prepare two round cake pans by lining the bottom with a circle cut out from parchment paper.

Step 11

Grease the parchment paper bottom and the sides of the cake pans.

Step 12

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

Step 13

Divide the batter evenly between the two pans.

Step 14

Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the cake centers spring back to touch, or do the toothpick test, and the toothpick comes out clean.

Step 15

Remove from the oven, and let cool for 5 minutes.

Step 16

Loosen the sides of the cake from the pan, by running a knife around the pan sides.

Step 17

Invert the cakes onto a wire rack to cool. Remove the parchment paper from the bottom of the cakes.

Step 18

Cool completely.

Step 19

In a medium bowl, combine butter, chocolate, vanilla, and 1 ½ cups confectioner sugar.

Step 20

Beat until creamy.

Step 21

Alternately add the coffee, liqueur, and the remaining 4 ½ cups of confectioner sugar.

Step 22

Continue to beat until fluffy.

Step 23

Set aside.

Step 24

In a medium bowl, combine heavy cream, instant coffee, and ¼ cup of confectioner sugar.

Step 25

Beat to soft peaks.

Step 26

Split each round of torte in half diagonally, making 4 even disks.

Step 27

Place one cake disk on a cake platter (with the uncut bottom down).

Step 28

Spread ¾ cup mocha frosting over the top.

Step 29

Follow with a third of coffee cream.

Step 30

Place second cake disk on top, and repeat with frosting and cream.

Step 31

Repeat with third cake disk.

Step 32

Place the last caked disk on top, and spread the remaining mocha frosting on top and sides of the torte.

Step 33

Decorate with the chopped walnuts.

Step 34

Refrigerate until ready to serve.