Chocolate Hazelnut Cake with Peaches and Cream
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Author Notes: I just rediscovered this recipe, which I had written down when in the summer after graduating from high school, I helped out in the kitchen of the hip but long defunct restaurant Gala (named after the wife of Salvador Dali) in Caracas, Venezuela. I am marveling not only about how delicious yet easy the cake is, but also about the neat handwriting of an 18-year-old – this was long before the days of computers. In Spanish it’s called Torta de avellanas con melocotones, and it’s gluten-free. Thanks to advice from merrill and Syronai through Foodpickle I improved the cake by adding glaze to the peaches so they don’t turn brown so quickly. - MyGardenersTable
Serves 6
- 7 ounces whole hazelnuts with skins
- 5 eggs
- 2/3 cups + 2 teaspoons sugar
- 4½ ounces dark chocolate (ideally 80%)
- 1 cup heavy cream
- ½ teaspoons vanilla extract
- 3-5 ripe peaches
- ½ cups apricot preserves
- Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Line the bottom of a 10-inch cake pan with parchment paper and grease the sides.
- Chop the hazelnuts coarsely in the food processor using the pulse function. Set aside.
- Separate the eggs. Beat the yolks with 1 cup sugar until pale and fluffy. In a separate bowl beat the egg whites until they stand in stiff peaks.
- Melt the chocolate in the microwave or over very low heat on the stove. Add it to the egg yolk mix in a slow steady stream and mix well.
- Fold in the chopped nuts, then fold in the egg whites. Pour the dough into the prepared pan and even it out with a spatula.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes. Loosen the sides and unmold upside down onto a cake rack and let cool slightly. Carefully remove the parchment. Let cool completely (up to this point you can make this cake a day or two ahead).
- Whip the cream until it stands in stiff peaks adding 2 teapoons sugar and vanilla extract. Place the cake with the flat side up on a cake plate. Evenly spread the whipped cream over the cake.
- If the peaches are very ripe you can remove the peel with a small pointy knife. Otherwise, make an "X" on the bottom of each peach and blanch for 1 to 2 minutes, then remove the skin.
- Cut the peaches into thick even slices. Strain the apricot preserves and warm them over very low heat in a small saucepan. Dip each peach slice in the preserves, then arrange the slices on the cake. Refrigerate until serving.
Tags: chocolate cake, hazelnuts, peaches
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almost 2 years ago Sagegreen
So glad you rediscovered this! I love the fruits and nuts with dark chocolate here.
almost 2 years ago Sagegreen
...and I just have to say that your book, Spoonfuls of Germany, which just arrived, is my new favorite! I love the regional organization you have followed in compiling so many of my most beloved recipes!!!
almost 2 years ago MyGardenersTable
Thank you, Sagegreen, that's very kind of you to mention and glad you like the book. - You have an impressive collection of German/Austro-Hungarian recipes posted here. Your Savory Kugelhopf is definitely on top of my list for fall baking!
almost 2 years ago MyGardenersTable
Yes, as chocolate and bananas go well together, I think that would work (I admit though that I am not a big fan of raw bananas but that's just my personal taste). Glad you liked the recipe.
almost 2 years ago sexyLAMBCHOPx
how wonderful. i wonder if i can sub peaches with bananas? impressive for a high school student. i was too busy eating at diners and roy rogers. saved!