Chocolate Espresso Torte Recipe

Chocolate Espresso Torte

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 sticks butter, softened, plus additional softened butter for greasing pan
• 3/4 cup sugar, plus additional sugar for dusting pan
• 12 ounces semisweet chocolate, finely chopped
• 5 eggs at room temperature, beaten
• 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup prepared espresso
Chocolate Ganache
• 4 ounces semisweet chocolate
• 1 stick softened butter
• Vanilla ice cream, optional

Instructions

For Torte
1. Preheat oven to 300 degrees with oven rack in middle position.
2. Wrap a 9-inch springform pan in plastic wrap, then wrap tightly with a layer of heavy-duty foil. Generously butter pan.
3. Dust pan with sugar, tapping out excess. Place prepared pan in a roasting pan; set aside.
4. Combine 3/4 cup sugar and prepared espresso in a small saute pan over medium heat. Heat, stirring, until sugar is dissolved. Set aside to cool for 10 minutes.
5. Place chocolate in a large bowl set over a large saute pan of barely simmering water (do not allow bottom of bowl to touch water). Stir occasionally until just melted. Add butter by the tablespoonful, stirring until combined. Stir in espresso syrup and vanilla extract. Set aside to cool slightly, 4 to 5 minutes. Gently stir in eggs until combined.
6. Pour batter into prepared springform pan. Pour boiling-hot water into roasting pan until it reaches three-quarters of the way up the of springform pan. Bake until center of torte is almost set, but still wobbles just slightly, about 45 to 50 minutes.
7. Transfer torte to a wire rack to cool completely. Refrigerate, covered, for 8 hours or overnight.
For Ganache
8. Place chocolate in a medium bowl set over a medium saute pan of simmering water (do not allow bottom of bowl to touch water). Stir occasionally until melted. Set aside to cool slightly, 3 to 4 minutes. Add butter by the tablespoonful, stirring until combined and glossy. Use immediately.
To Serve
9. Run a thin knife along edge of chilled torte, and remove springform pan ring. Set torte on a wire rack set over a sheet pan. Pour ganache over torte, a bit at a time, spreading with a rubber or offset spatula to cover top. Allow excess to drip down sides, if desired. Place torte on a platter or sheet pan lined with parchment paper, and refrigerate until set, approximately 2 hours. Serve with vanilla ice cream, if desired.
For Miniature Heart-Shaped Tortes:
10. Cut individual tortes from large torte using a heart-shaped cutter. Carefully dip each heart into ganache using two forks, letting excess drip off. Set hearts on a sheet pan lined with parchment paper, and refrigerate until set, approximately 2 hours. Serve with vanilla ice cream, if desired.