Throwback to an old European Classic: Dobos Torte

I've made many classic cakes in culinary school, most of which I never thought I would make again. Not because they aren't good but because they are just too complicated and take too many steps and ingredients.

The Dobos Torte is a cake named after the pastry chef who created it, Josef Dobos. Its a cake consisting multiple thin layers of cake with chocolate buttercream and a caramel topping. This is the cake that I made in school. It looks super cheesy like something you would get at some local Italian bakery. I was in school and I did as I was instructed to get good grades of course.

Once again on assignment, for the August 2009 Daring Baker's challenge I made the Dobos with a Black Currant Jam in between the layers as well as the Chocolate Buttercream.

Cake Layers:

6 egg yolks

2/3cup 10x sugar

1tsp vanilla

6 egg whites

2/3cup 10x sugar

1cup AP flour

Whisk egg yolks, sugar and vanilla till ribbon stage.

In another bowl whisk egg whites till soft peaks then add sugar and whisk to stiff peaks.

Fold 1/3 of whites into the yolks then sift 1/2 AP over the mixture and fold till almost incorporated. Alternate between whites and AP till just incorporated. Should be very aerated and fluffy still.

Pipe thin layers onto parchment and bake at 400F.

Chocolate Buttercream

4 eggs

1cup sugar

2oz unsweetened chocolate (100%)

2oz semi-sweet (65-72%)

2 sticks butter

Whisk eggs with Kitchen Aid until ribbon

Cook sugar in a little water until just before soft ball (220F)

While whisking pour in sugar and whisk on high until almost cool.

Add cubes of butter until incorporated

Melt chocolate in microwave and whisk into buttercream

Thin out some blackcurrant jam and soak layers of cake.

To make a dry caramel and pour over a layer of cake and spread evenly before it sets. To cut into wedges heat an old knife over the flame of your stove and cut through the caramel.

Although its not my favorite cake to make, the addition of the blackcurrant jam really balances out a boring old classic. But I still wouldn't suggest you go through all the trouble. It took too much effort to clean up. Leave it to the professionals who have dish washer guys to clean up the mess.