Monday, May 5, 2008

TWD peanut butter torte...



My cute new cake pedestal was waiting for a treat...

My plate and fork were waiting for a treat...




This recipe was waiting for some attention...



These presents were waiting to be opened, and this torte was waiting to be eaten...


...the presents had to wait a while...



This weeks recipe, chosen by Elizabeth from Ugg Smell Food, could not have come at a better time! It was my husband's Birthday last week and I don't know anyone who loves chocolate and peanut butter more than him...yay!


It was a very easy recipe to put together. I used milk chocolate for the ganache on the top and it was extremely tasty... and anything with an oreo crust is an automatic winner for me!


Peanut Butter Torte
1 ¼ c. finely chopped salted peanuts (for the filling, crunch and topping)
2 teaspoons sugar
½ teaspoon instant espresso powder (or finely ground instant coffee)
¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
Pinch of freshly grated nutmeg
½ c. mini chocolate chips (or finely chopped semi sweet chocolate)
24 Oreo cookies, finely crumbed or ground in a food processor or blender
½ stick (4 tablespoons) unsalted butter, melted and cooled
Small pinch of salt
2 ½ c. heavy cream
1 ¼ c confectioners’ sugar, sifted
12 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature
1 ½ c salted peanut butter – crunchy or smooth (not natural; I use Skippy)
2 tablespoons whole milk
4 ounces bittersweet chocolate finely chopped
Getting ready: center a rack in the oven and preheat the oven to 350°F. Butter a 9-inch Springform pan and place it on a baking sheet lined with parchment or a silicone mat.
Toss ½ cup of the chopped peanuts, the sugar, espresso powder, cinnamon, nutmeg and chocolate chops together in a small bowl. Set aside.
Put the Oreo crumbs, melted butter and salt in another small bowl and stir with a fork just until crumbs are moistened. Press the crumbs evenly over the bottom and up the sides of the spring form pan (they should go up about 2 inches on the sides). Freeze the crust for 10 minutes.
Bake the crust for 10 minutes, then transfer it to a rack and let it cool completely before filling.
Working with a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment or with a hand mixer in a large bowl, whip 2 cups of the cream until it holds medium peaks. Beat in ¼ cup of the confectioners’ sugar and whip until the cream holds medium-firm peaks. Scrape the cream into a bowl and refrigerate until needed.
Wipe out (do not wash) the bowl, fit the stand mixer with the paddle attachment if you have one, or continue with the hand mixer, and beat the cream cheese with the remaining 1 cup confectioners’ sugar on medium speed until the cream cheese is satiny smooth. Beat in the peanut butter, ¼ cup of the chopped peanuts and the milk.
Using a large rubber spatula, gently stir in about one quarter of the whipped cream, just to lighten the mousse. Still working with the spatula, stir in the crunchy peanut mixture, then gingerly fold in the remaining whipped cream.
Scrape the mouse into the crust, mounding and smoothing the top. Refrigerate for at least 4 hours, or overnight; cover with plastic wrap as soon as the mousse firms.
To Finish The Torte: put the chopped chocolate in a heatproof bowl and set the bowl over a saucepan of simmering water. Leave the bowl over the water just until the chocolate softens and starts to melt, about 3 minutes; remove the bowl from the saucepan.
Bring the remaining ½ cup cream to a full boil. Pour the cream over the chocolate and , working with a a rubber spatula, very gently stir together until the ganache is completely blended and glossy.
Pour the ganache over the torte, smoothing it with a metal icing spatula. Scatter the remaining ½ cup peanuts over the top and chill to set the topping, about 20 minutes.
When the ganache is firm, remove the sides of the Springform pan; it’s easiest to warm the pan with a hairdryer, and then remove the sides, but you can also wrap a kitchen towel damped with hot water around the pan and leave it there for 10 seconds. Refrigerate until ready to serve.

24 comments:

Sarah said...

Your torte looks wonderful and is the perfect compliment to your cake pedastal! Great job!

noskos said...

Great looking pie and beautiful pictures!

Anonymous said...

Fun post, and mighty fine timing!

Anne said...

Looks absolutely beautiful, I'm glad you had a good occasion to make it! I love the new cake stand. Great job!

amanda. said...

That is the cutest cake stand I've ever seen! And the torte looks delicious!

diane said...

I had a small taste and it was yummy!

Linda said...

Lovely torte, and as others have mentioned...love your cake pedastal!

Marie Rayner said...

Wonderful presentation, and like everyone else I just ADORE your cake pedestal!

Christine said...

Love your new cake stand! Great job!

Anonymous said...

That cake looks so good on the stand! And I'm glad to see you didn't take it off the spring form bottom either, I thought I was committing major faux pas by leaving it on.

Heather B said...

Love your torte and new cake pedestal! Great job!

Mary Ann said...

looks lovely and delicious! I love the cake stand-I have been kinda collecting them lately. Very cute presentation.

steph- whisk/spoon said...

wow that is good timing! your torte looks fantastic on your new stand!

Jaime said...

beautiful presentation! i love how the ganache is dripping over the sides...yum!

CB said...

omg. I want your cake stand. How adorable is that!? Torte looks so yummy with the chocolate dripping down the side. Great job! ps. Happy Birthday to hubs! :)
Clara @ I♥food4thought

Gretchen Noelle said...

Yeah, glad this worked into your schedule perfectly! Glad you all enjoyed it!

Anonymous said...

I love the dripping ganache. YUM

Shari@Whisk: a food blog said...

I love that cake stand. And what great timing for the birthday!

Anonymous said...

Your torte looks fabulous and I love your pedestal too!

Anonymous said...

Your torte looks great with the sauce dripping down the sides. I love the cake stand!

Dizzee Cake. said...

Beautiful! Now I regret not putting ganache on mine after seeing how yummy yours looks. Love the new pedestal! So cute!!

Melissa said...

Cute cake pedestal! And love the ganache spilling over the sides!

Jennie said...

Once again, another fabulous looking dessert. I like peanut butter and chocolate too. did you know that? ha what don't i like? and for one more time, your cake stand is soooo cute! I love it

Sihan said...

i love ur pedestal! where did you get it from? been looking for it for ages!