Best Chocolate Hazelnut Torte Recipes

CHOCOLATE HAZELNUT TORTE

Steps:

• In a small bowl, cream butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy, 5-7 minutes. Beat in egg and vanilla. Combine the flour, cocoa, baking soda and salt; gradually add to creamed mixture alternately with sour cream and coffee. Beat just until combined., Pour into 2 greased and floured 6-in. round baking pans. Bake at 350° for 25-30 minutes or until a knife inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes before removing from pans to wire racks to cool completely., For frosting, in a small saucepan, melt chocolate with cream and sugar over low heat; stir until smooth. Remove from the heat; whisk in Nutella. Transfer to a small bowl; cover and refrigerate until frosting reaches spreading consistency, stirring occasionally. , Spread frosting between layers and over top and sides of cake. Garnish with chocolate curls and hazelnuts if desired.

HAZELNUT CHOCOLATE MOCHA TORTE

Steps:

• MAKE THE BAVARIAN CREME: Lightly oil a round, shallow casserole or bowl approximately 10 inches in diameter.
• Line it with a layer of plastic wrap large enough to overhang the edges.
• In a small cup, sprinkle the gelatin over 1/4 cup of the milk; set aside.
• In another small cup, stir the coffee into the cognac; set aside.
• In a saucepan, scald the remaining 1 cup milk.
• Meanwhile, whisk together the egg yolks, sugar and salt until light and fluffy.
• Gradually beat in the scalded milk.
• Return the mixture to the saucepan and stir constantly over moderate heat until thick enough to coat the back of the clean spoon. DO NOT ALLOW TO BOIL.
• Transfer custard to a large bowl and whisk in the reserved gelatin and coffee mixtures, beating to thoroughly dissolve the gelatin.
• Cool to room temperature, whisking vigorously every couple of minutes to prevent lumping.
• When the custard is cool but not set, whip the cream until almost stiff.
• Whisk a large spoonful of the cream into the custard, then gently fold in the remaining cream.
• Carefully pour the bavarian cream into the prepared plastic lined bowl.
• Refrigerate, covered until firm. (This may be made one day ahead.).
• MAKE THE HAZELNUT JAPONAISE: Preheat the oven to 250.
• Butter and flour a baking sheet, preferably nonstick, and trace a 10 inch circle onto it, using a cake pan or pot lid as a guide.
• Blend together the hazelnuts, 1/2 cup of the superfine sugar and the cornstarch; set aside.
• Beat the egg whites until foamy, then add the cream of tartar and continue beating until the whites form soft peaks.
• Beating constantly, gradually add the remaining 2 T. superfine sugar and continue to beat until the meringue is stiff and glossy.
• Lightly fold the hazelnut mixture into the meringue.
• Spread the meringue onto the 10 inch circle on the baking sheet.
• Bake for 45 minutes, or until the meringue is set but still somewhat soft and just beginning to brown lightly.
• Using a thin metal spatula, loosen the baked meringue layer from the baking sheet. ( the meringue may tear slightly, but it will not show.).
• If it is too fragile to remove from the sheet, cool it on its baking sheet set on a wire rack, and then loosen from the sheet.
• MEANWHILE, PREPARE THE CHOCOLATE GENOISE: Preheat a second oven, of you have one to 350; otherwise, when the meringue is done, raise the heat to 350.
• Lightly butter a round, flat pan at least 12 inches in diameter.
• Line the bottom of the pan with a circle of waxed paper or parchment.
• Lightly butter and flour the paper and sides of the pan.
• In a small saucepan, melt the butter over low heat.
• Skim off the foam carefully.
• Cool slightly.
• Into a small bowl, sift the flour and cocoa together.
• In a large bowl, beat the eggs and the granulated sugar until very light, foamy and almost tripled in volume.
• Add vanilla, then lightly but rapidly fold the flour-cocoa mixture into the eggs.
• When the ingredients are almost but not quite homogeneous, fold in the melted butter.
• Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake for 10 to 14 minutes, or until the cake springs back when toughed gently.
• Remove from the oven and cool briefly in the pan.
• Invert a pie plate with slanted sides onto a cooling rack, then cover the pie plate with a kitchen towel.
• Lightly sprinkle the towel with confectioners sugar and invert the genoise onto the towel.
• Gently peel off the paper and allow the cake to cool.
• ASSEMBLE THE TORTE: Carefully transfer the japonaise to a serving platter.
• Equally carefully, invert the bavarian creme over the japonaise.
• Peel the plastic wrap off the bavarian and trim any ragged meringue edges off the japonaise.
• Top the bavarian with the genoise, pressing it into a dome shape if necessary.
• MAKE THE FROSTING: Whip the cream until thick but not stiff, then add the confectioners sugar, cocoa and vanilla.
• Whip unti quite stiff.
• Spread over the torte, flattening the top slightly.
• TO DECORATE THE CAKE: Using a swivel-bladed peeler, scrape the chocolate into long shavings.
• Lightly sprinkle the shavings over the torte and chill for a t least 2 hours.
• At serving time, dust lightly with confetioners sugar sprinkled through a small sieve.

CHOCOLATE HAZELNUT PRALINE TORTE WITH FRANGELICO WHIPPED CREAM

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°F. Butter an 8 1/2-inch springform pan (2 inches deep) or other cake pan with same dimensions and line bottom with a round of wax paper. Butter paper and dust pan with flour, knocking out excess flour.
• In a food processor pulse praline until ground fine. Reserve 1/4 cup ground praline and transfer remaining praline to a bowl. In food processor pulse chocolate until finely ground and add to bowl of praline.
• In a bowl with an electric mixer cream together butter, salt, and 1/4 cup sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in yolks, 1 at a time, beating well after each addition, and beat in vanilla. Stir in praline chocolate mixture (mixture will be very thick).
• In another bowl with cleaned beaters beat whites until foamy and add a pinch salt and remaining 1/4 cup sugar in a steam, beating until meringue just holds stiff peaks. Fold one third meringue into yolk mixture to lighten and fold in remaining meringue gently but thoroughly. Pour batter into pan and smooth top.
• Bake tort in middle of oven 45 to 55 minutes, or until it begins to pull away from side of pan. Cool torte in pan on a rack (torte will fall slightly and continue to set as it cooks) and remove from pan. Torte may be made 1 day ahead and chilled, covered. Bring torte to room temperature before serving.
• In a bowl with an electric mixer beat cream until it just holds soft peaks. Stir in Frangelico and half of reserved praline.
• Top torte with whipped cream and sprinkle with remaining reserves praline. Serve torte immediately.

HAZELNUT, CHOCOLATE AND STRAWBERRY TORTE

Steps:

• for cake:
• Preheat oven to 375°F. Butter and flour 9-inch-diameter cake pan with 2-inch-high sides. Line bottom with parchment. Butter and flour parchment. Finely grind hazelnuts and 2 tablespoons sugar in processor. Place 2/3 cup ground-nut mixture in medium bowl; add flour and whisk to blend. Reserve remaining nut mixture for garnish.
• Using electric mixer, beat eggs and 2/3 cup sugar in large bowl until mixture is thick and slowly dissolving ribbon forms when beaters are lifted, about 8 minutes. Fold in flour mixture in 3 additions.
• Transfer batter to prepared pan. Bake cake until top is golden and tester inserted into center comes out clean, about 28 minutes. Transfer cake to rack. Cool in pan 10 minutes. Run small knife between pan sides and cake to loosen. Turn cake out onto rack; peel off parchment. Cool completely.
• for ganache:
• Bring cream to simmer in large saucepan. Remove from heat. Add chocolate and whisk until melted and smooth. Pour into 13x9x2-inch glass dish. Refrigerate until ganache thickens to spreadable consistency, stirring occasionally, about 1 hour 30 minutes (ganache will resemble thick pudding). Transfer 3/4 cup chocolate ganache to small bowl; set aside for garnish.
• Cut cake horizontally into 2 layers (layers will be thin). Place 1 cake layer, cut side up, on platter. Spread 1/2 cup chocolate ganache over. Arrange sliced strawberries in slightly overlapping concentric circles over ganache. Spread 1/2 cup ganache over cut side of second cake layer. Place cake layer atop strawberries, ganache side down, and press slightly to adhere. Spread remaining chocolate ganache over sides and top of cake. Gently press reserved ground hazelnuts onto sides of cake.
• Transfer reserved 3/4 cup ganache to pastry bag fitted with medium star tip. Pipe 8 rosettes around top edge of cake, spacing apart. (Can be prepared 1 day ahead. Cover with cake dome and refrigerate. Let stand at room temperature 1 hour before continuing.)
• Starting 1/3 inch from stem end of whole strawberries, thinly slice strawberries lengthwise to tip. Press slices slightly to fan. Place fanned berries between rosettes on cake. Garnish with additional toasted hazelnuts, if desired.

CHOCOLATE HAZELNUT TORTE

Steps:

• Make torte:
• In a metal bowl set over a pan of barely simmering water melt chocolate, stirring until smooth, and cool.
• Spread hazelnuts in a shallow baking pan and toast in oven until they begin to turn pale golden, 7 to 10 minutes. Cool hazelnuts completely. Discard any hazelnut skins that rub off easily and transfer nuts to food processor. Add 3 tablespoons sugar and grind mixture fine.
• In a large bowl with an electric mixer beat together butter and remaining 2/3 cup sugar until light and fluffy. Add yolks, 1 at a time, beating well after each addition, and beat in vanilla, salt, and melted chocolate. Beat in hazelnut mixture until combined well.
• In another large bowl with cleaned beaters beat whites with a pinch salt until they just hold stiff peaks. Whisk about one-fourth whites into chocolate mixture to lighten and fold in remaining whites gently but thoroughly. Spread batter evenly in springform pan and bake in middle of oven 45 to 55 minutes, or until a tester comes out with crumbs adhering. Cool torte completely in pan on a rack and remove side of pan. Invert torte onto a serving plate and discard wax paper.
• Make glaze:
• Put chocolate in a small metal bowl. In a small saucepan bring cream to a boil and pour over chocolate. Stir glaze just until completely smooth and let stand until thickened slightly, about 20 minutes.
• Spread glaze evenly over top and side of torte. With a small icing spatula or butter knife make parallel lines through glaze across top to create a design. Garnish top and bottom edge of torte with chopped hazelnuts and let torte stand until glaze is set, about 2 hours.
• Serve torte with whipped cream or ice cream.

CHOCOLATE HAZELNUT PUDDING TORTE

Steps:

• Arrange 12 ladyfingers in an 11x7-in. dish. Spread with half of the Nutella., In a large bowl, whisk cream and pudding mix 2 minutes. Stir in whipped topping. Spread half the mixture over the Nutella. Top with remaining ladyfingers; spread with remaining Nutella and then remaining pudding mixture. Sprinkle with grated or shaved chocolate. Refrigerate, covered, 8 hours or overnight. Refrigerate leftovers.

CHOCOLATE HAZELNUT TORTE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 325 degrees F. Butter and parchment a 9-inch cake pan
• In the bowl of a food processor, grind chocolate and hazelnuts down to a fine paste. Add soft butter and sugar and pulse until thoroughly incorporated. Add eggs 1 by 1. Scrape down bowl carefully. Add flour. Fill prepared cake pan with torte batter. Spread carefully to level and bake for 20 to 25 minutes until cake tester comes out clean.

CHOCOLATE HAZELNUT TORTE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 225 degrees. Butter an 8 1/2-inch springform pan; sprinkle with cocoa, and tap out excess. In a small bowl, combine currants and whiskey or hot water. Let macerate at least 10 minutes or up to 30 minutes. Strain currants in a fine sieve, and discard whiskey.
• In a small saucepan over medium heat, bring cream and butter almost to a boil; making sure all butter is melted. Place chocolate in a medium heatproof bowl, and pour the cream over to cover. Whisk gently until chocolate is melted and mixture is combined.
• In a medium bowl, whisk together the eggs, sugar, and salt. Whisk into chocolate mixture, and stir in nuts and currants. Pour mixture into prepared pan.
• Bake until edges are set and center is still a little soft to the touch, about 2 hours. Transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. Cover with plastic wrap, and chill overnight in the refrigerator. When ready to serve, remove from refrigerator, and dust with cocoa powder.

CHOCOLATE, CARDAMOM & HAZELNUT TORTE

Steps:

• Toast the hazelnuts in a dry pan until golden, then leave to cool slightly and blitz to a fine consistency in a food processor. Remove the cardamom seeds from their pods and grind using a pestle and mortar.
• Heat oven to 160C/140C fan/gas 3. Grease and line the base of a 23cm spring-form cake tin. Use a microwave to melt the chocolate with the butter in 30-sec bursts until glossy and smooth. Leave to cool slightly.
• Using an electric whisk, in a very clean bowl whisk the egg whites until they reach stiff peaks. Then, without cleaning the beaters, whisk the yolks with the sugar in a separate bowl until pale and voluminous.
• Combine the chocolate with the egg yolk mixture, then incorporate the cocoa powder, a pinch of salt, the cardamom seeds and hazelnuts. Add a spoonful of egg white to the batter, stirring it through to loosen the mix, then fold in the rest, taking care to keep in as much air as possible. Gently pour into the tin and bake for 35 mins. Leave to cool in the tin, then dust with cocoa powder and serve with crème fraîche.

GLUTEN FREE CHOCOLATE HAZELNUT RASPBERRY TORTE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°F Place hazelnuts on a baking sheet, and toast for 8-10 minutes. Be careful that they don't burn. Remove from oven and place on a towel. Take another towel, place over nuts and rub gently to remove skins. Allow to cool, then place in a food processor and pulse untl finely ground. Be careful not to grind into a paste. Set aside.
• Heat sugar, coffee and chocolate in a double boiler. Stir until chocolate melts. Set aside.
• Place butter in mixing bowl and beat until fluffy. Add egg yolks, one at a time, mixing after each addition. Stir in chocolate mixture, almond and vanilla extract, and rice flour.
• In a separate bowl beat egg whites, until stiff enough to hold a peak. Fold half the egg whites into the chocolate batter. Gently fold in the rest of the egg whites. Pour batter into a greased 8-inch cake pan. Bake for 30 minutes, or until a knife inserted in the center comes out clean. Allow to cool.
• Heat heavy cream, with butter, until just boiling. Turn off heat and add chocolate and vanilla, and allow to sit for 3-4 minutes, whisk until smooth.
• Take cake out of refrigerator. Thinly spread two tablespoons of ganache over the cake, as a crumb coat. Spread raspberry jam over the top of the crumb coat. Refrigerate for 10 minutes. Place wire rack on a baking sheet. Place cake on rack and pour ganache over the cake. Evenly coat the cake using a spatula. Decorate the perimeter with whole hazelnuts, place on a plate, refrigerate until ready to serve.

WHITE CHOCOLATE, RASPBERRY & HAZELNUT MARBLE TORTE

Steps:

• For the sponge, heat oven to 180C/fan 160C/gas 4, then grease and line the base of a deep 22cm springform cake tin. Finely chop the toasted hazelnuts in a food processor, then tip into a bowl with the sugar, flour and bicarbonate of soda. Whisk the egg whites until stiff, then quickly stir the butter, milk and yolks into the dry ingredients. When the mixture is smooth, stir in one-third of the egg whites, then gently fold in the rest. Pour the mixture into the prepared tin, bake for 40-50 mins until the cake is golden andspringy to touch, then allow to cool.
• For the mousse, melt the chocolate in a glass bowl set over a pan of barely simmering water, then let it cool slightly. Soften the gelatine in water, squeeze out, then put in a small pan with 100ml of the cream. Gently warm over a low heat until the gelatine is melted (you shouldn't be able to see any clear streaks in the cream), then tip into a bowl with the remaining cream and egg whites. Make sure you thoroughly scrape out the pan so no gelatine is left behind. Beat until it holds its shape, then spoon a quarter of this creamy mixture into the melted chocolate. Mix briefly until smooth. Fold in the remaining cream mix and raspberries, swirling the mixture so the berries begin to marble the mousse, then set aside until the cake is cool.
• To assemble, split the sponge in half and re-line the base of the cake tin with baking parchment. Use a long continuous strip of baking parchment to wrap around and line the inside, as this will help to make the sides of the finished torte look smooth. Press the bottom half of the cake back into the tin, sprinkle with half of the liqueur, then gently spoon over the mousse. Sprinkle the cut side of the top cake with the remaining liqueur and put this, liqueur-soaked side down, on top of the mousse. Press down gently, wrap the entire tin in cling film, then chill overnight.
• To serve, remove the torte from the fridge about 1 hr before you want to eat it, release from the tin, then gently peel off the baking parchment. Lightly dust the top of the torte with icing sugar, then pile on the chocolate curls (see box, below) and a few raspberries.

CHOCOLATE HAZELNUT TORTE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F.
• Coat bottom and bottom inch of sides of a 10-inch spring-form pan with softened butter. Layer 1 cup chopped hazelnuts on bottom of pan. In food processor or blender, combine remaining 1 cup hazelnuts, eggs, pudding mix, and melted butter. Process until well-mixed and nuts are ground fine. Pour into prepared pan. Bake about 20 minutes or until edges of torte are firm but center jiggles when pan is shaken. Remove from oven and cool 10 minutes. Release pan sides. Cool to lukewarm then transfer to serving plate and dust with cocoa powder and powdered sugar. Serve at warm or at room temperature.

WHITE CHOCOLATE ESPRESSO TORTE WITH HAZELNUT PRALINE

Steps:

• For praline and chocolate curls:
• Place sheet of foil on work surface. Bring sugar and 1/4 cup water to boil in heavy medium saucepan over medium-high heat, stirring until sugar dissolves. Boil without stirring until syrup is deep amber, brushing down sides of pan with wet pastry brush and swirling occasionally, 7 to 8 minutes. Mix in espresso powder, then nuts. Scrape mixture onto foil; quickly spread out. Cool completely. Chop praline into small pieces.
• Microwave white chocolate block at 50 percent power in 10-second intervals until chocolate feels just slightly warm and is just beginning to soften (if too soft, let stand until firm enough to shave). Using vegetable peeler, shave 1- to 1 1/2-inch-wide ribbon, about 4 to 5 inches long, from block. Gently roll ribbon into loose curl (cylinder). Repeat, making 20 to 24 curls. DO AHEAD: Praline and chocolate curls can be made 2 days ahead. Chill separately in airtight containers.
• For mousse:
• Stir chocolate and 5 tablespoons water in metal bowl set over saucepan of barely simmering water until chocolate is smooth. Remove bowl from over water. Cool chocolate to lukewarm, stirring occasionally. Using electric mixer, beat cream in large bowl until soft peaks form. Gradually pour lukewarm chocolate over cream, folding to blend well. Transfer 2 1/2 cups mousse to another medium bowl; gently fold in espresso powder. Cover and chill both bowls of mousse until firm, at least 6 hours. DO AHEAD: Can be made 1 day ahead. Keep chilled.
• For soaking syrup and ganache:
• Stir liqueur and espresso powder in small bowl until espresso dissolves. Place chocolate and corn syrup in medium bowl. Bring cream to boil in small saucepan; pour over chocolate and corn syrup. Stir until melted and smooth. DO AHEAD: soaking syrup and ganache can be made 1 day ahead. Cover separately and store at room temperature.
• For cake:
• Preheat oven to 350°F. Coat 15 x 10-inch sheet of parchment paper with nonstick spray. Line 15x10x1-inch baking sheet with prepared parchment (sides of baking sheet should not be coated).
• Combine eggs, sugar, 2 teaspoons espresso powder, vanilla, and salt in large bowl. Using electric mixer, beat until egg mixture is thick and fluffy and falls in ribbons when beater is lifted, 6 to 7 minutes. Sift flour over in 3 additions, folding gently just to incorporate after each addition. Transfer 1 cup batter to small bowl; fold in butter. Fold batter from small bowl back into batter in large bowl just until combined; spread evenly on baking sheet.
• Bake cake until tester inserted into center comes out clean and cake begins to pull away from pan, about 18 minutes. Cool cake in pan on rack 30 minutes.
• Sift 2 tablespoons powdered sugar over cake. Cut around pan sides. Slide spatula under parchment to loosen from pan and invert cake onto work surface. Peel off parchment. Cut cake crosswise into 4 rectangles, each about 10 x 3 1/2 inches.
• Place 1 cake rectangle on platter. Brush 2 tablespoons soaking syrup over. Spread 3 tablespoons ganache over, then 1/3 of espresso mousse (about 3/4 cup). Repeat 2 more times with cake, syrup, ganache, and mousse. Top with fourth cake layer; press lightly to adhere. Spread 2/3 cup plain mousse thinly over top and sides of torte to seal, then spread remaining mousse over top and sides. DO AHEAD: can be made 1 day ahead. Tent loosely with foil and chill.
• Before serving, press praline pieces into mousse on all sides of torte. Mound white chocolate curls on top. Mix 4 tablespoons powdered sugar and 1 1/2 teaspoons espresso powder in small bowl. Sift over top of torte.

HUNGARIAN RICH CHOCOLATE HAZELNUT TORTE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
• Have ready n 8 inch round baking time, buttered and lined with kitchen paper.
• Melt the butter very slowly over a low heat.
• Remove from the heat and add the chopped chocolate, stirring all the time so that it melts in the hot butter. Cool.
• Whisk the egg whites to soft peaks, then keep aside until needed.
• Whisk the egg yolks and sugar together until thick and pale.
• Add the chocolate mixture and mix well.
• Sprinkle in the flour and ground hazelnuts, and mix together carefully.
• Add the egg whites and fold them in carefully to retain as much air as possible.
• Pour into the prepared tin and bake for 25 minutes. The cake should be set, but slightly wobbly in the center. Cool in the tin.
• To prepare the chocolate ganache, heat the cream almost to boiling point.
• Immediately remove from the heat, and add the chopped chocolate. Stir until amalgamated.
• Cool and they pour over the cake to glaze. Allow to set.
• To make the hazelnut topping, place the sugar and 3.5 ounces water in a saucepan and cook until lightly caramelized.
• Remove from the heat and add the whole roasted hazelnuts.
• Stir briefly to coat.
• Using tong, and working quickly, remove the sticky nuts in clusters, an place on lightly oiled baking paper to cool.
• Top the cake with hazelnut clusters and serve.

FLOURLESS HAZELNUT AND DARK CHOCOLATE TORTE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F. Grease a 9-inch springform pan and line the bottom of the pan with parchment.
• Finely grind the hazelnuts in a food processor until they reach a coarse, sandy consistency.
• Either in the microwave or in a double boiler over hot water, melt the chocolate with the oil and butter, stirring together to form a homogenous mixture. Set aside in a warm place.
• With a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, beat the egg whites and salt to soft peaks and set aside. Switch to the paddle attachment and, in a separate bowl, beat the egg yolks, sugars, and vanilla extract on medium-high speed until
• thick and creamy, about 5 minutes. Reduce the speed of the mixer to low and add the
• chocolate and butter mixture, then the cocoa powder. Fold in the whipped egg whites until smooth.
• Pour into a greased and parchment-lined 9-inch springform pan and bake for 45 to 50 minutes, just until a wooden skewer inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean.

CHOCOLATE HAZELNUT TORTE

Steps:

• Preheat an oven to 375°F.
• Lightly butter and flour a 9-inch round springform cake pan.
• To make the torte, spread the 1/2 cup hazelnuts on a baking sheet and toast in the oven until lightly browned and fragrant, 5 to 7 minutes.
• While the nuts are still warm, place them in a kitchen towel and rub with the towel to remove the skins.
• Do not worry if bits of skin remain.
• Set aside.
• Place the chocolate and butter in a large heatproof bowl set over but not touching gently simmering water in a saucepan.
• Stir often until the chocolate melts, then remove from the heat.
• In a food processor fitted with the metal blade or in a blender, combine the skinned nuts with the 2/3 cup sugar.
• Pulse until finely ground.
• Add to the chocolate mixture and stir until blended.
• Let cool; then add the egg yolks one at a time, beating well after each addition.
• In a bowl, sift together the flour and cocoa.
• Stir into the chocolate mixture.
• In another bowl, using an electric mixer, beat the egg whites and cream of tartar until soft peaks form.
• Add the 2 Tbs sugar and beat until stiff peaks form.
• Using a rubber spatula, fold one-fourth of the whites into the chocolate mixture to lighten it.
• Then fold in the remaining whites just until no white streaks remain.
• Pour into the prepared pan.
• Bake until a skewer inserted into the center comes out almost clean, 35 to 40 minutes.
• Transfer the pan to a wire rack and let cool.
• To make the glaze, combine the chocolate, butter and corn syrup in a heatproof bowl set over but not touching gently simmering water in a saucepan.
• Stir often until the chocolate melts, then remove from the heat and stir until smooth.
• Let cool, stirring occasionally, for 15 minutes; the glaze will thicken slightly.
• Set the rack over a baking sheet, invert the torte onto the rack and lift off the pan.
• Pour on the glaze, tilting the torte to coat the top and sides completely.
• When the glaze stops dripping, place the 12 hazelnuts around the top of the cake.
• Transfer to a serving plate and serve.
• Makes one 9-inch torte.

MELISSA KELLY'S CHOCOLATE HAZELNUT TORTE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line the bottom of an 8-inch round cake pan with parchment paper, and lightly butter it.
• Combine hazelnuts, chocolate, lemon zest and orange zest in a food processor. Pulse until finely ground.
• Combine egg yolks and 1/4 cup sugar in an electric mixer. Whisk on high speed for about 3 minutes, until light and creamy. Turn speed to low, and mix in the ground hazelnut-chocolate mixture.
• Place egg whites in a clean bowl, and whip at medium speed until frothy. Increase to high speed, and whip until softly peaked. Continue to whip, gradually adding remaining sugar, until stiff.
• Fold a third of the beaten egg whites into the batter, and when they are almost completely incorporated, fold in the rest.
• Spread in prepared pan, and bake for about 35 minutes, until a cake tester comes out clean. Cool briefly on a rack. The cake will drop somewhat as it cools. Remove the cake from the pan, and invert it. Peel off the paper. Serve while still warm, with ice cream.

'FLOURLESS' CHOCOLATE HAZELNUT TORTE WITH FRANGELICO

Steps:

• 1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly spray an 8-inch cake pan with cooking spray. Set aside. 2. Bake hazelnuts in preheated 350 degrees F oven until golden brown (approx. 5-7 minutes). Set aside. 3. Make cake. Melt chocolate in a small pan over low heat. Set aside. Place hazelnuts and remaining cake ingredients in a medium mixing bowl. Stir until well blended. Add chocolate and mix well. Pour into prepared 8-inch cake pan. Bake 15-20 minutes. Cake will seem slightly underbaked. 4. Remove cake from pan. Cool on a wire rack. 5. Place cool cake on a serving plate. 6. Make glaze. Place chocolate and Frangelico* in a small saucepan. Heat over low heat while stirring constantly. Pour melted chocolate glaze over torte. Refrigerate torte until ready to serve.

GLUTEN-FREE CHOCOLATE HAZELNUT DREAM TORTE

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350°F. Place hazelnuts in single layer in shallow baking pan. Toast hazelnuts 8 to 10 minutes or until golden brown and aromatic. Transfer hot nuts to several thicknesses of paper towels. Rub hazelnuts together to remove skins. Let cool. In food processor- or blender-container, grind half of the hazelnuts finely. Chop remaining hazelnuts; set aside.
• Generously grease bottom only of (8- or 9-inch) round pan. (Lower oven temperature to 325°F if using dark or nonstick pan.)
• In large bowl, beat ground hazelnuts, cake mix, water, butter and eggs on low speed of electric mixer 30 seconds, then on medium speed 2 minutes, scraping bowl occasionally. Pour into pan. Bake 43 to 48 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool 10 minutes; run knife around inside edge of pan; remove from pan to wire rack. Cool completely.
• In small heavy saucepan, heat sweetened condensed milk and white chocolate over medium heat until chocolate melts. Cook and stir over medium-low heat about 7 to 10 minutes longer or just until thickened. Remove from heat; cool 10 minutes. Stir in vanilla.
• Cut cooled cake in half horizontally. Place bottom layer, cut side up on serving plate; spread half the white chocolate mixture over cake; sprinkle with half the chopped hazelnuts. Top with remaining cake half, cut side down. Spread remaining white chocolate mixture over top (some may drip down side). Sprinkle with remaining hazelnuts. Refrigerate any remaining cake.

KATO'S CHOCOLATE HAZELNUT DELIGHT TORTE

Steps:

• 1. Cake - Preheat oven using temperature on box mix.
• 2. Grease and flour two round 9" cake pans.
• 3. Mix cake as directed on back of package.
• 4. Gently add the grated bittersweet chocolate and the ground espresso to the prepared cake mixture, then pour into pans and bake.
• 5. Cool cakes completely on wire racks.
• 6. Slice each cake layer into two even layers.
• 7. Butter cream Icing - Beat the butter until it is light and fluffy, then add the icing sugar slowly, until well blended.
• 8. Divide the butter cream icing into four bowls equally.
• 9. In #1 bowl add the melted chocolate to the icing, in
• 10. #2 bowl add the coffee liquid to the icing and in #3 & #4 bowls add 1 tbsp vanilla to both bowls of icing.
• 11. To assemble the cake, place first cake layer. on plate.
• 12. Sprinkle cake with 2 tbsp of Frangelica and spread chocolate butter cream onto cake.
• 13. Top cake with second cake layer, sprinkle cake with 2 tbsps of frangelica and spread vanilla buttercream onto cake.
• 14. Top cake with third cake layer, sprinkle cake with 2 tbsp of Frangelica and spread coffee butter cream onto cake.
• 15. Top cake with fourth cake layer, sprinkle cake with remaining Frangelica and spread vanilla butter cream onto top and sides of cake.
• 16. Press the sliced hazelnuts into the sides of the cake and garnish the top with the ground hazelnuts.
• 17. Chill cake in fridge for several hours. Chilling gives time for the magic to happen.
• 18. One hour before serving remove cake from fridge and allow to slowly come to room temperature.