ESTERHAZY TORTE
HAZELNUT SPONGE LAYERS
12 egg whites
250 g granulated sugar
20 g vanilla sugar
250 g ground hazelnuts
80 g flour
HAZELNUT CREAM
12 egg yolks
250 g granulated sugar
20 g vanilla sugar
300 g butter, at room temperature
150 g ground hazelnuts
APRICOT JAM GLAZE
About 2 tablespoons apricot jam
1 teaspoon water
WHITE ICING
300–400 g powdered sugar
2 teaspoons sunflower oil
3–4 teaspoons lemon juice
about 4 tablespoons hot water
CHOCOLATE DECORATION
50 g dark chocolate
1 teaspoon oil
100 g roughly chopped hazelnuts
HAZELNUTS
Place the hazelnuts on an oven tray in a cold oven, then turn the temperature to 170–180°C. Bake until a rich aroma fills the kitchen and the skins darken to deep brown, while the nuts themselves turn a light caramel color. This may take 15–25 minutes, so keep an eye on them and decide when they are ready.
Even if the hazelnuts are already roasted, this step is essential, as it fully develops their flavor. Almonds should remain pale, but hazelnuts need to be well roasted to release their aroma. Line a deep bowl with an old kitchen towel that you plan to discard, then pour the hot hazelnuts into it. Gather the ends of the towel and rub the hazelnuts vigorously until the skins loosen and come off. Remove the skins and allow the hazelnuts to cool completely.
Set aside 100 g and roughly chop them for decorating the sides of the cake. Grind the remaining hazelnuts. A nut grinder works best, as a food processor may turn them into a paste. If using a food processor, pulse in short intervals so the nuts remain powdery rather than creamy. Divide the ground hazelnuts into two portions: 250 g for the layers and 150 g for the filling.
HAZELNUT SPONGE LAYERS
Using an electric mixer, beat the egg whites until stiff, gradually adding the granulated sugar and vanilla sugar. Continue beating for about 5 minutes, until firm peaks form.
Reduce the mixer speed to the lowest setting and gently fold in the ground hazelnuts mixed with the flour.
Cut baking paper into squares and draw a 25 cm circle on each sheet. Turn the paper over so the markings do not transfer to the sponge. Spoon one-sixth of the mixture evenly inside the circle. Place the remaining batter in the refrigerator while each layer is baking.
Place the paper with the sponge onto a oven tray and bake in a preheated oven at 160°C (no fan) for about 14 minutes. The layers will remain soft, which is exactly how they should be, your finger should not stick when lightly touched.
Remove each layer together with the baking paper and place it on a flat surface to cool. Repeat with the remaining five layers, always using a cooled tray.
If you have a 25 cm springform pan with a removable base, you may cut the baking paper to fit the bottom and bake the layers directly in the pan. Be sure to cool the pan completely before adding batter for the next layer. Lay all baked layers side by side to cool.
HAZELNUT CREAM
Prepare the cream in a double boiler. If you do not have one, place a smaller pot snugly inside a larger pot with about 2–3 cm of water. Bring the water to a boil.
In the smaller pot, beat the egg yolks and sugar with an electric mixer for about 30 seconds. Place the pot over the boiling water and cook for 14–15 minutes, stirring every 2–3 minutes at first and constantly toward the end, scraping the sides and bottom.
Remove from heat and allow the mixture to cool completely. Beat the cooled custard briefly, then add the butter (previously beaten until creamy at room temperature). Mix until fully combined, then add the ground hazelnuts and beat for another minute until light and smooth.
Set aside 2 tablespoons of the cream for finishing the sides of the cake. Divide the remaining cream evenly into five portions.
ASSEMBLY
Line a serving tray with baking paper. Choose the thickest and most even sponge layer for the top.
Place the first layer on the tray and remove the baking paper. Spread one portion of the cream evenly over the surface. Top with the next layer, remove the paper, and repeat until all layers are assembled. Place the final layer on top with the smooth side facing upward.
Cover the cake with baking paper, gently press to level it, then place a tray on top and weigh it down with something heavy (such as a pot filled with water). Refrigerate for 30 minutes to allow the layers to settle evenly.
APRICOT JAM GLAZE
Heat the apricot jam with the water until smooth. Remove the top baking paper and spread a very thin layer of jam over the cake—just enough to seal the surface. Return the cake to the refrigerator for 30 minutes to allow the glaze to set.
After chilling, spread the reserved cream evenly around the sides of the cake.
WHITE ICING
In a bowl, mix the powdered sugar, oil, and lemon juice by hand, adding hot water teaspoon by teaspoon until the icing is smooth and creamy but not runny. Mix vigorously for several minutes.
Using a large knife dipped in hot water, quickly spread the icing over the apricot-glazed top only. You will need about 250–300 g of powdered sugar, but it is best to prepare more, as once you begin spreading, you cannot stop and remix. Any unevenness can be smoothed with a hair dryer set on warm.
DECORATION
Before icing the cake, prepare the chocolate, as it must be applied while the icing is still soft. Melt the chocolate with the oil and transfer it to a piping bag or a sturdy plastic bag with the corner snipped off.
Pipe concentric circles onto the icing. Using a wooden skewer or the blunt edge of a knife, draw lines through the circles at a 45-degree angle, alternating directions to create the classic Esterházy pattern.
Press the chopped hazelnuts around the sides of the cake.
Refrigerate the torte for at least 24 hours before serving. This is a cake that improves with time—we often enjoy it over the course of a full week.