Strawberry Hazelnut Torte

Name: Strawberry Hazelnut Torte
Prep time: 45 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 1 h 15 min
Yield: 12 servings.
Ingredients: 4 large egg whites; 1 teaspoon white vinegar; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, divided; Dash salt; 1-1/4 cups sugar; 1/2 cup ground hazelnuts; 6 ounces semisweet chocolate, chopped; 1 teaspoon shortening; 1-1/2 cups heavy whipping cream; 1/3 cup confectioners' sugar; 2-1/2 cups sliced fresh strawberries; Additional fresh strawberries, halved

TOTAL TIME: Prep: 45 min. + chilling Bake: 30 min. + cooling YIELD: 12 servings.

"This beautiful dessert is a very big hit at parties," relates Phyllis Amboss of Pacific Palisades, California. "The tender meringues have a wonderful hazelnut flavor with layers of chocolate, whipped cream and berries. "I got the recipe when we were in Israel for a few months in 1979. I had no cookbooks with me, and my hairdresser gave me an old Australian cookbook with this recipe in it. I made a few changes and this is the result."

Ingredients

4 large egg whites
1 teaspoon white vinegar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract, divided
Dash salt
1-1/4 cups sugar
1/2 cup ground hazelnuts
6 ounces semisweet chocolate, chopped
1 teaspoon shortening
1-1/2 cups heavy whipping cream
1/3 cup confectioners' sugar
2-1/2 cups sliced fresh strawberries
Additional fresh strawberries, halved

Directions

1. Place egg whites in a large bowl; let stand at room temperature for 30 minutes. Line a baking sheet with parchment. Trace two 8-in. circles 1/2 in. apart on the paper; set aside.
2. Add vinegar, 1/2 teaspoon vanilla and salt to egg whites; beat until soft peaks form. Add sugar, 1 tablespoon at a time, beating until stiff peaks form. Spread over paper circles. Sprinkle with hazelnuts; cut through meringues with a knife to swirl nuts.
3. Bake at 375° for 30-35 minutes or until the meringue and nuts are lightly browned. Cool on baking sheet. When completely cool, remove meringues from paper; store in an airtight container. In a microwave, melt chocolate and shortening; stir until smooth. Cool to room temperature.
4. To assemble, place a meringue, flat side down, on a serving plate; spread with half of the melted chocolate. In a large bowl, beat cream until it begins to thicken. Add confectioners' sugar and remaining vanilla; beat until stiff peaks form. Spread half over chocolate layer. Arrange sliced strawberries over whipped cream.
5. Spread flat side of remaining meringue with melted chocolate. Place chocolate side down over strawberries; spread with remaining whipped cream. Refrigerate for up to 4 hours before serving. Garnish with halved strawberries.

Nutrition Facts

1 piece: 247 calories, 14g fat (8g saturated fat), 41mg cholesterol, 42mg sodium, 29g carbohydrate (27g sugars, 1g fiber), 3g protein.