Daring Bakers Challenge : Dobos Torte
The August 2009 Daring Bakers’ challenge was hosted by Angela of A Spoonful of Sugar and Lorraine of Not Quite Nigella. They chose the spectacular Dobos Torte based on a recipe from Rick Rodgers’ cookbook Kaffeehaus : Exquisite Desserts from the Classic Caffés of Vienna, Budapest, and Prague.
I’m going to keep this one short because I feel like I’ve been having one of those weeks. The kind of week where you find yourself surrounded by things whipping and whirring around you while you stand, staring into a bowl of soaking gelatine leaves, wondering, oh crap, what was that meant to go in to?? Also the very same week when you accidentally spill something in the walk-in freezer, which, I must say in total hindsight, is one of the most nightmarish things to have ever happened to me at work. Picture this: the spilled liquid freezes immediately to the floor of the freezer, and every little bit of water you pour on the spill to scrub it off, freezes on top of it. Scrubbing only further widens the frozen area in question. I was in that freezer for 20 minutes and could have cried, except the tears would have frozen to my face, further compounding my problem.
Things have been extra busy of late and lest you think I have fallen into the deep end, I must say that I’m still loving work. Yes, it’s tiring and sometimes it makes me want to reach for the Cooking-Purposes-Only Frambwahse. But it’s all good. I’m busily happy and happily busy.
That said, I’m pathetically grateful that this month, Angela and Lorraine have chosen a fairly easy and straightforward challenge, that yields cake. I have never made a Dobos Torte before, but know of it, because a Hungarian friend of mine used to expertly whip up magnificent versions of them, with her eyes closed and one hand tied behind her back. My version required both hands and all my faculties operating at full alert, and I think the end result is nothing spectacular, but a respectable version of Dobos Torte.
This torte is what I am now going to sit down to, before throwing myself back into the fray.
Tags: cake, chocolate, Daring Bakers
chef_d said,
August 29, 2009 @ 2:15 am
Your cake is so beautiful…congratulations!
Jackie @ PhamFatale.com said,
August 29, 2009 @ 9:54 am
Wow just wow. It just looks perfect. One of the best in this Dobos torte challenge I’ve seen so far
Scott said,
August 29, 2009 @ 10:13 pm
Your Torte looks absolutely brilliant!
A tip for next time, throw some salt onto the spill in the freezer. It lowers the freezing point, and then you can clean it all up much easier. I’ve done it before…not nice! 😉
Hélène said,
August 30, 2009 @ 4:56 am
You always make the most beautiful desserts and your pictures are amazing.
Alli said,
August 30, 2009 @ 9:03 am
Your presentation looks fabulous!
Megan@Feasting on Art said,
August 30, 2009 @ 5:11 pm
Once again your challenge turned out so beautifully! The length of this recipe terrified me and I am afraid I didn’t get around to the challenge but seeing your photos makes me so regretful – I wish I had a slice of that cake right now!!
anda said,
August 31, 2009 @ 12:56 am
Wonderful presentation as always – so elegant.
Navita said,
August 31, 2009 @ 1:05 am
Hey Y…as usual a stellar performance….love that swiped brush of chocolate on top…artistry! 🙂
Lauren said,
August 31, 2009 @ 2:30 am
Simply Stunning!! Even if you used all your hands and eyes, this turned out expertly =D. Wonderful job!
Maria Jose said,
August 31, 2009 @ 7:57 am
Te ha quedado preciosa, muy chic con esas margaritas, me gusta mucho tu version…pero mas me hubiera gustado probarla 🙂 besos!!!
asti said,
August 31, 2009 @ 10:39 am
Gorgeous!!! Love everything about it, the gentle paintbrush stroke, the cute little flowers, the caramel, the plating, and how neat your layers are. You are very talented!
morgana said,
August 31, 2009 @ 6:31 pm
Well, I do think your Dobos is spectacular, and I love your photos too. Flowers add a fresh touch to the whole think. Congratulations.
the caked crusader said,
August 31, 2009 @ 7:57 pm
wow. Hard to think of a superlative strong enough to describe what you’ve created. So I settled for “wow”. It just looks so amazing – the crispness of the edges. I am in dessert heaven!
veron said,
September 1, 2009 @ 11:40 am
Great job on the torte! Layers are magnificent!
diva said,
September 1, 2009 @ 12:35 pm
so delicate and beautiful! it’s a masterpiece.
clumbsycookie said,
September 2, 2009 @ 12:03 am
So many layers! I was laughing with the thought of your tears freezing in the walk-in freezer! Walk in freezers are a pain, glad you have a nice piece of cake to eat while you forget about your busy week!
steph (whisk/spoon) said,
September 2, 2009 @ 8:09 am
this is gorgeous–more than just respectable, i’d say! dropping something in the walk-in freezer is the worst. i feel for you, really!
Ash said,
September 2, 2009 @ 1:35 pm
oh, your cake turned out just amazing!!
great work!
Kamran Siddiqi said,
September 3, 2009 @ 7:40 am
OMG! your Dobos Torte looks awesome. Far prettier than many that I have seen. Shhh. Don’t tell… Hehe Now I really want some. Who’s going to make me some while I complete a whole load of Advanced Placement homework? Homework sucks! But your cake looks irresistibly!
Hannah said,
September 3, 2009 @ 12:16 pm
So, so, so beautiful! Your creations never disappoint, and I always love seeing what you pull out for these challenges. 🙂
Megan Gordon said,
September 9, 2009 @ 3:01 pm
Beautiful! Recently discovered your blog–a new fan!
Talita said,
September 12, 2009 @ 5:39 am
Wow! This gorgeous!! How lovely your dobo torte!
Taranii said,
September 26, 2009 @ 9:20 am
wow, that looks stunning!