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Thursday, August 27, 2009

Daring Bakers’ Dobos Torta



The Dobos Torta is a five-layer sponge cake, filled with a rich chocolate buttercream and topped with thin wedges of caramel. It was invented in 1885 by Jozsef C. Dobos, a Hungarian baker, and it rapidly became famous throughout Europe for both its extraordinary taste and its keeping properties. The recipe was a secret until Dobos retired in 1906 and gave the recipe to the Budapest Confectioners’ and Gingerbread Makers’ Chamber of Industry, providing that every member of the chamber can use it freely.



Dobos Torta is extremely rich with caramel wedges at the top, lots of chocolate buttercream sandwiching 5 (in my case, 6) layers of thin sponge cake and coating the entire surface of the cake, and a great amount of chopped nuts such as hazelnut or almond for side decoration. It is absolutely an excellent choice for sweet dessert! In order to make one, you need to face the ultimate challenge and make sure you do very good planning.



Entirely agreed with some DBers’ opinions that the top caramel is the most challenging part of all in the making process. Bringing syrup into the amber stage is no problem at all, but once the caramel is applied to the sponge layer and gradually settles, I am totally uncertain about the right time to cut the caramel. Despite the fact that I precut the segments from the beginning, but when the caramel added to it, I knew for sure this extra layer would add a new problem. An oiled knife worked well in cutting but it was still quite hard to get the segments separated without damaging them. I guess this caramel thing has to be improved by more practice.



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..

The recipe has been adapted for my own convenience and to suit the local ingredients. To see the original recipe please click here.

DOBOS TORTA
Serves 12 persons



1. Sponge Cake
Makes 7 layers
Need: 7 baking trays and one 8 inch convex square cake ring

Ingredients:
- Cake flour – sift > 112 grams
- Salt > 1/8 teaspoon
- Eggs – room temperature, separate egg yolks from egg whites > 6
- Icing sugar – divide into 2 equal portions > 162 grams
- Vanilla essence > 1.5 teaspoons



Method:
- Combine cake flour and salt.
- Preheat oven at 200C.
- Cut 7 pieces of parchment paper with the size of 11 inch square. Using the bottom of the 9 inch convex square ring as a template and a pen, trace the shape on the center of each of the paper. Turn them over and place them into each baking trays.
- Beat egg yolks, icing sugar, and buttercream essence on high speed until pale and thick in about 3 minutes.
- In another mixing bowl beat egg whites until frothy. Gradually add icing sugar and beat until stiff peaks form.
- Stir ¼ portion of egg white into the egg yolk mixture. Whisk moderately. Then fold in the remainder, again whisk just moderately.



- Fold half of flour mixture into the eggs, whisk moderately and then fold in the remaining flour.
- Spread 75 grams of batter into the area slightly exceeding the mark on the parchment paper.
- Bake at 200C on the top rack for 4 minutes or until the cake springs back when pressed gently in the center and the edges are lightly browned.
- Repeat for the remaining batter until 7 layers are achieved. Cool.
- Peel away parchment paper.
- Use the 9 inch convex square as a template, trim each cake layer into a neat convex square.
- Set aside for later assembly.



2. Chocolate Buttercream

Ingredients:
- Eggs – room temperature > 4
- Granulated sugar > 200 grams
- Dark chocolate – finely chop > 110 grams
- Salted butter – room temperature > 250 grams

Method:
- Prepare a double boiler by filling ¼ portion of a large saucepan with water and bring it to boil.
- Meanwhile, beat the egg yolks and sugar until pale and thick in a big heat-proof bowl for about 5 minutes.
- Place bowl over the boiling water in the saucepan and switch to low heat. Cook egg mixture by whisking constantly for 3 minutes until it starts to thicken a bit.
- Immediately whisk in chopped chocolate. Continue cooking and stirring for 3 minutes.
- Scrape hot egg mixture into another bowl and leave to cool in room temperature. It should be quite thick and sticky in consistency.
- When cool, beat in soft butter, about 2 tablespoons at a time. The result will be thick, velvety chocolate buttercream.
- Chill while make caramel topping.



3. Caramel

Ingredients:
- Granulated sugar > 200 grams
- Water > 180 ml
- Lemon juice > 40 ml
- Vegetable oil – to oil knife

Method:
- Choose one of the best-looking and flat sponge layer for caramel topping. Grease parchment paper with butter and place the layer in the center.
- Cut the 9 inch convex square cake into 12 segments but leave them in their initial sticking-together position.
- Grease a sharp knife with oil.
- Combine sugar, water, and lemon juice in a saucepan. Bring to boil over a medium heat, stirring constantly to dissolve sugar.



- Once dissolved, switch to high heat and boil without stirring, only swirling the saucepan.
- Let it boil until the color turns amber.
- Immediately pour the hot caramel on top of the cake layer (make sure it is in room temperature, not just being refrigerated). Keep caramel inside the cake area.
- Using offset spatula quickly spread the caramel evenly to the edge of the cake. Let cool until beginning to set for about 30 seconds.
- Using the tip of a hot oiled knife cut through the cutting mark to divide the cake into 12 wedges. Cool another minute.
- Finally use the edge of the oiled knife to completely cut and separate the wedges by doing one firm slicing movement.
- Cool completely.



4. Assembly

Ingredients:
- Chopped almond > 200 grams
- Almond chocolate truffle > 1
- Chocolate curls > 2



Method:
- Position one cake layer on the serving plate. Spread 75 grams of chocolate buttercream on the layer. Top with another cake layer.
- Repeat this step until all the layers are stacked up. Coat the entire cake with buttercream.
- Press chopped almond to the sides of the cake.
- Arrange the caramel wedges on top of the cake. Prop an almond under each wedge so it sits at an angle.
- Place almond chocolate truffle as a centerpiece accompanied by 2 chocolate curls.
- Refrigerate cake inside a cake dome until the buttercream is set, about 2 hours.
- Serve. If there is any overnight refrigeration involved, remember that the cake is best to be consumed when the it is in room temperature.

40 comments:

  1. Hi
    Just had to say your dobos version is beautiful
    And the little decorations are sooo cute!
    Besides that, I've just discovered your blog and it's really incredible!
    Everything looks amazing and so clean and well presented, it's a pleasure to watch and read.
    Inbal
    (also a DB)

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  2. Absolutely stunning! Your caramel "blades" look perfect. I really love the way you've decorated them, they're beautiful. Lovely work :)

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  3. What perfect and beautiful looking cakes! I love the dainty decorations! wow!

    Cheers,

    Rosa

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  4. How beautiful are your tortes? Just divine! I love the little mini ones. I struggled with the caramel sponge top as well, but yours looks perfect!

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  5. Beautifully done! I love the crushed nuts around the edges.

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  6. i LOVE the little versions! great job :)

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  7. Beautiful details, the mini ones are my favorites :)

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  8. Just exquisite! Thank you for sharing. They're beautiful!

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  9. splendide et très très raffiné ! c'est une réussite sur toute la ligne ! bravo :)

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  10. Such perfect mini-Dobos torte. Love the decorations and presentation. I must say that I just love your food pictures. :)

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  11. Your minis are sooo cute...I love all the layers!

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  12. What can I say - Your tortas are gorgeous!! I love the different shapes you made, and the photos are stunning =D.

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  13. As always beautiful, beautiful job :) Love the mini version! Cheers from rainy Ireland...

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  14. Your little cakes are beautiful!
    A great job.

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  15. These are gorgeous! So professional-looking.

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  16. Gorgeous! I love how thin your layers are.... The finely crushed nuts are a really nice touch!

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  17. GORGEOUS!! Every picture was beautiful. I loved all the various ways you decorated the tortas. You are my baking hero! :)

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  18. Wonderful tortes, perfectly done and decorated!
    First time here, you have a very nice blog with wonderful recipes and amazing pictures :D.

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  19. You did a fabulous job. I love your square interpretation as well as the mini torte. Your decorations are stunning too.

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  20. You tortes came out so beautifully. I'd never have guessed you had trouble with the caramel. The wispy garnishes make everything look so delicate. Lovely job.

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  21. So adorable! Very cute! Way to go!

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  22. Mmmmmmmmmmmmmmm, those mini tortes look amazing! I adore the cute little chocolate decorations on top!

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  23. I love the mini tortes! Your toppers are so beautiful! Great job on the challenge!

    I had no luck with the caramel:(

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  24. Great job! I love your little individual tortes! So cute! I think your caramel turned out great!

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  25. Kris, your work is always spectacular, but this showcases you at the height of perfection!

    I'm forever amazed and gladdened by your work. You simply keep raising the bar.

    Kudos on a job well done.

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  26. Your cakes are absolutely gorgeous! Classic and elegant :)

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  27. Your version looks stunning! Love your presentations :)

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  28. Wow WOW WOWOWOWOW your tortas are wonderful and the decorations are superb. You are one beautiful baker. Bravo and kudos to you. Cheers from Audax in Australia

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  29. Wow! All of your Dobos versions looks absolutely fabulous! Your decorations are amazing! Nice job!

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  30. Kris, your finished Dobos rival that of some of the best pastry chefs in the world - I'm not kidding! Your decorating skills and execution are phenomenal! Oh, and they look delicious too. Once again, I'm awed! Mine came out so sloppy, but i haven't been very motivated as of late, so it's hard to really focus and enjoy, especially with the hunidity here.

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  31. Love the chocolate curls and embillishments. Really adds such a nice touch. I certainly can't tell from the pictures that you had any trouble at all with the caramel!

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  32. Wow...these are works of art! Beautiful job...so professional and precise. And most importantly, very delicious looking too!

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  33. I'm fasting today, but I still stop by here.. o me, o my.. that's totally wrong !! LOL... I wish I have this cake on my plate for fasting break.. wuuupssss... what I have just a cup of tea and this picture, perhaps make my belly full to hahahahah..

    well done, Kris.. I adore your creation day by day.

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  34. Absolutely stunning! A real work of art.

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  35. Your cakes are some of the prettiest I seen on this challenge. Great job.

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  36. Like always, your creation and photos are always stunning and elegant. Great job on the challenge. I love the chocolate decoration, especially the curved, weaved chocolate on the mini tortes.

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  37. Guys, thank you all for the compliments!!! Really appreciate them :-)

    And Fitri, have a great fasting month!!!

    Regards
    Kris

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  38. Kris, thanks for stopping by my blog.

    Your dobos look gorgeous, very professional.

    I cut the caramel stars with a cookie cutter when the caramel was still soft, but not too hot otherwise the edges will melt back together. For straight cuts a wheel cutter works well.

    It is like the chocolate fans, it has to be the right temperature or it won't work.

    Now I will check more of your creations.

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  39. Thanks Laura for the tip! Will keep that for the next practice! :-)

    Regards
    Kris

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