Easter Nest Torte Recipe

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup butter, softened
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/3 cup baking cocoa
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 8 ounces semisweet chocolate, melted
• FILLING:
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1 teaspoon cornstarch
• 1-1/4 cups milk
• 3 egg yolks, beaten
• 1 envelope unflavored gelatin
• 3 tablespoons cold water
• 7 ounces semisweet chocolate, chopped
• 1-1/4 cups heavy whipping cream
• 20 to 30 small candy Easter eggs

Directions

• In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Combine the flour, cocoa, baking powder and salt; beat into creamed mixture.
• Spread into a greased 9-in. springform pan. Bake at 350° for 15-20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes. Carefully run a knife around edge of pan to loosen. Remove sides and bottom of pan. Cool completely on a wire rack.
• From a large sheet of waxed paper, cut a 29-in. x 5-in. strip. Fold strip lengthwise in half. Place strip on a large sheet of waxed paper on a work surface. Spread melted chocolate evenly along one long edge of waxed paper strip; spread upward, making a wavy line to within 1/2 in. of other long edge. Let stand for 10-30 minutes until chocolate begins to set but is still pliable.
• Carefully lift waxed paper strip and wrap chocolate strip around cake with straight edge on the bottom. Do not remove waxed paper. Refrigerate until chilled. Meanwhile, cover three baking sheets with waxed paper. Drizzle remaining melted chocolate from a spatula over waxed paper in both directions. Chill for 10 minutes. Peel off waxed paper; break chocolate into 2-in. to 3-in. "twigs;" set aside.
• For filling, in a small saucepan, combine the sugar and cornstarch. Stir in milk until smooth. Cook and stir over medium-high heat until slightly thickened and bubbly. Reduce heat; cook and stir 2 minutes longer. Remove from the heat. Stir a small amount of hot filling into egg yolks; return all to the pan, stirring constantly. Bring to a gentle boil; cook and stir 2 minutes longer. Remove from the heat.
• In a small bowl, sprinkle gelatin over water; let stand for 1 minute. Stir into custard until gelatin is dissolved. Add chopped chocolate; stir until smooth. Cover surface with plastic wrap; cool to room temperature.
• In a large bowl, beat cream until soft peaks form; fold into chocolate mixture. Carefully spoon over top of cake. Cover and refrigerate for 1-2 hours or until set. Remove waxed paper strip from side of cake. Position chocolate "twigs" around top of cake to create a nest. Arrange candy eggs in center. Yield: 12-14 servings.

Easter Nest Torte published in Taste of Home's Holiday & Celebrations Cookbook Annual 2005, p158